All eyes are on Aintree as the National Hunt season draws to a close in April. Despite all that has gone before, including an array of top handicaps and the mighty Cheltenham Festival, Merseyside plays host to the biggest contest of them all. Everything about the Grand National is big – from the famous fences to the crowd in the packed stands and on to the level of betting turnover – which leaves all other British racing events trailing in its wake.
One thing a little smaller than normal this time around is the field. “Just” the 34 go to post in 2024 due to the latest safety alterations to the race. Following the announcement of the reduction in numbers, many were concerned the great chase would become overwhelmingly dominated by the Irish contenders. Those fears have materialised, with 26 of the 34-runner field hailing from an Irish yard – including eight apiece for Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott.
Grand National: Confirmed Field of Runners and Riders
| Number | Horse | Jockey | Trainers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noble Yeats | Harry Cobden | Emmet Mullins |
| 2 | Nassalam | Caolin Quinn | Gary Moore |
| 3 | Coko Beach | Jordan Gainford | Gordon Elliott |
| 4 | Capodanno | Keith Donoghue | Willie Mullins |
| 5 | I Am Maximus | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 6 | Minella Indo | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead |
| 7 | Corach Rambler | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell |
| 8 | Janidil | Jody McGarvey | Willie Mullins |
| 9 | Stattler | Mr P W Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 10 | Mahler Mission | Ben Harvey | John McConnell |
| 11 | Delta Work | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
| 12 | Foxy Jacks | Gavin Brouder | Mouse Morris |
| 13 | Galvin | Sam Ewing | Gordon Elliott |
| 14 | Farouk d’Alene | Donagh Meyler | Gordon Eliott |
| 15 | Eldorado Allen | Brendan Powell | Joe Tizzard |
| 16 | Ain’t That A Shame | Mr David Maxwell | Henry De Bromhead |
| 17 | Vanillier | Sean Flanagan | Gavin Cromwell |
| 18 | Mr Incredible | Brian Hayes | Willie Mullins |
| 19 | Run Wild Fred | Mr T Hamilton | Gordon Elliott |
| 20 | Latenightpass | Miss Gina Andrews | T Ellis |
| 21 | Minella Crooner | Kevin Sexton | Gordon Elliott |
| 22 | Adamantly Chosen | Sean O’Keeffe | Willie Mullins |
| 23 | Mac Tottie | James Bowen | Peter Bowen |
| 24 | Chemical Energy | Danny Gilligan | Gordon Elliott |
| 25 | Limerick Lace | Mark Walsh | Gavin Cromwell |
| 26 | Meetingofthewaters | Danny Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 27 | The Goffer | Sean Bowen | Gordon Elliot |
| 28 | Roi Mage | James Reveley | Patrick Griffin |
| 29 | Glengouly | Michael O’Sullivan | Willie Mullins |
| 30 | Galia Des Liteaux | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 31 | Panda Boy | J J Slevin | Martin Brassil |
| 32 | Eklat De Rire | Darragh O’Keeffe | Henry De Bromhead |
| 33 | Chambard | Miss Lucy Turner | Venetia Williams |
| 34 | Kitty’s Light | Jack Tudor | Christian Williams |
Highlights
The Irish may boast strength in numbers, but the defending champion is the pride of Scotland. 2¼l too good for the field in 2023, Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler returns to defend his crown with Derek Fox in the saddle. He’s 13lbs higher in the handicap this year but arrives on the back of a career-best performance when finishing a gallant third behind Galopin Des Champs and Gerri Colombe in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Proven over these formidable fences and 3lb well in, according to the official handicapper, he seems sure to prove popular with punters.
Of the Mullins octet, the JP McManus duo of I Am Maximus and Meetingofthewaters appear to be the most obvious contenders. I Am Maximus has yet to face these formidable obstacles but has little to prove in the stamina department, having powered home late to land the 2023 Irish Grand National. An impressive winner of the Bobbyjo Chase in February, he’s the choice of Paul Townend.
Meetingofthewaters, meanwhile, is one of the least exposed runners in the field and posted a fine prep for this when third in the Ultima Handicap Chase. Elsewhere in the Closutton collective, Mr Incredible has a chance on his best form but can jump erratically.
Having finished third in 2022 and unseated his rider in the race last year, the classy Delta Work leads the charge for Gordon Elliott. A Grade 1 winner in his pomp, he’s 3lbs lower than for that third-placed effort two years ago. Fellow Gigginstown runner Coko Beach may prove popular each way, having travelled well for a long way in the 2023 edition, while Chemical Energy will be fresher than most following a very light campaign.
Remaining with the Irish yards, Gavin Cromwell has a potent two-pronged attack in the shape of last year’s runner-up Vanillier and the rapidly improving mare Limerick Lace. Vanillier’s ability over the fences is a big factor in his favour, and he’s 9lb better off with Corach Rambler than in 2023. However, Limerick Lace is more likely to have something up her sleeve from the handicapper on her first start beyond 3m.
Having won the 2020 edition with Minella Times, the similarly named Minella Indo represents the Henry De Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore combo this year. The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup king was the most talented of these at his peak and has shown enough this season to suggest that some of the old sparkle remains. Other leading Irish hopes include Panda Boy, who goes for the shrewd Martin Brassil, and topweight Noble Years, who won this in 2022 and finished an admirable fourth in 2023.
Scottish Grand National champ Kitty’s Light and Welsh Grand National hero Nassalam lead the way for the outnumbered British trainers. Every drop of rain which falls will enhance the claims of Nassalam, whilst Kitty’s Light is more ground-versatile and could prove very dangerous off bottom weight.
Gala Des Liteaux is also worthy of a mention, with the mare posting a fine staying performance to finish second under a big weight in the Classic Chase at Warwick: handed a more manageable burden of 10st7lb here, she could go close to sealing a first Trainers Championship for Dan Skelton.
So, those are the runners, riders and leading contenders, and all you need to do now is take your pick and cross everything you’ve got for a bit of luck in running!
