Aintree 15 April 2023 Randox Grand National Corach Rambler going to post ahead of win for jockey Derek Fox and trainer Lucinda RussellPhoto Healy RacingThe Grand National staged at Aintree Racecourse is not only a unique and stunning spectacle but one of the biggest betting races of the year. It is easy to get lost in the form and the wealth of information available on each of the 34 runners but fear not, we are here to present you with Grand National tips and trends as we assist you in finding this year’s winner and those contenders representing excellent each-way value.
Vincent has followed this year’s contenders with a keen eye over the National Hunt season and studied the form to present his best Grand National tip. A horse who will be primed for this year’s race.
Emma Nagle and Mark Boylan cast their eyes over Friday's card at the 2024 Grand National meeting and pick out their best bets. The Grade 1 Melling Chase is the highlight, featuring Conflated, Jonbon and Protektorat.
The duo are back to reveal their Grand National tips. With the ground looking set to be heavy, which horses will relish the conditions? Can Corach Rambler defend his crown? Will it be a victory for Ireland?
The Grand National trends are a superb pointer for the big race. It is an excellent ‘trends race’ in that the trends often throw up the winner and placed horses. It is well worth approaching the race from this angle and taking note of the Grand National tips served up by our editor and racing expert Vincent Finegan, who has been firing in the winners of late.
Once you have unearthed your potential winner, don’t forget to claim your free bets, what better way to spend credited free bets than on your Grand National tips and selections. You will also find Grand National extra places with select bookmakers to maximise your potential returns on the world’s most famous race.
Find below your 2024 Grand National trends as a starting point to finding the next Grand National hero.
If you are looking for more pointers for finding this year's Grand National winner, follow the advice below:
Horses are prepared especially for the Grand National and spend the season running in races to get them spot on for the race. Look at their previous races and how often they have run this season.
It should be noted that many Grand National horses will run over hurdles at the start of the season before taking on fences. Six of the last 12 winners of the race ran at the Cheltenham Festival although it is worth considering if the horse had a hard race at Prestbury Park.
Also consider if this has been the plan all season, these horses are often better prepared for the race than those for which it has been an afterthought. For example, Mahler Mission has been trained specifically for this race.
The Aintree Grand National fences are unique in nature - much bigger and wider than standard ‘chase’ fences. Some horses particularly enjoy the Aintree fences while some may find them challenging and not take to them at all. Horses that have fallen or unseated their rider three or more times do not tend to have a good record in the race.
A bold and accurate-jumping horse is a must for the Grand National and it is an even bigger advantage if the horse has previous form over these imposing obstacles, most notably in the Grand National itself. Amberleigh House returned victorious in 2004 Grand National and had run over these obstacles six times prior to his win in the Topham Chase, Becher Chase and the in the Grand National itself.
The Grand National is a handicap race which means the better horses in the race must carry more weight then than the less talented horses. This system is designed to make it a fair contest.
Those carrying more weight may find it too much over the long distance so it may be worth looking further down the weights to find a horse who might not be hindered by too much weight.
The Grand National weights are released in February each year. If you want to be really shrewd try and find horses which may have run since the weights were revealed and may be ‘ahead of the handicapper’.
Stamina is one of the key attributes of a Grand National winner, just like a long distance cross country runner. Ten of the last twelve winners of the race had at least seven runs over three miles.
Cheltenham 15 3 23 Delta Work wins the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase from stable companion Galvin Photo Healy RacingThis may seem obvious but there are high-class horses who may not have tackled long distances which means their ability to stay the trip is an unknown. Find horses in the race which have run over long distances as you can be safe in the knowledge the trip will not be an issue.
Certain trainers target the Grand National with a certain type of horse. For example, Martin Brassil won the race with Numbersixvalverde in 2006 and boasts an outstanding record with this type of horse - all of his Grand National contenders have completed the course. Ted Walsh, Lucinda Russell, Henry de Bromhead and Tom George also have a superb record in the race when it comes to completing the course.
January 2024 Ain t That A Shame winning trainer Henry de Bromhead with mom Sally and Rachael BlackmorePhoto Healy RacingLikewise, certain jockeys ride this course better than others. The dependable Sam Waley-Cohen who won last year aboard Noble Yeats was always one to watch, however he has retired, so instead look out for Patrick Mullins, Ryan Mania and Rachael Blackmore who ride the course well.
Two-thirds of horses priced at 8-1 or shorter have completed the course although favourites do not have a good record in the race. Last year’s winner Corach Rambler was one of those, however Noble Yeats, triumphed at 50-1 in 2022 and there was a staggering 100-1 winner of the race in 2009 - Mon Mome. Only two favourites have won the Grand National in the past 12 years.
Betting on the Grand National is a major part of the interest around the event and attempting to unearth the winner or an each-way bet at a big price - is what it is all about. 34 horses lining up means excellent value is on offer.
Find the latest odds for the Grand National 2024 before you place your bet from all the best bookies below:
4.004m. 2f. 74yds. 32 Declared.Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £1,000,000.00 7-y-o plus
1st - €500,000.00 2nd - €200,000.00 3rd - €100,000.00 4th - €65,000.00 5th - €40,000.00 6th - €30,000.00 7th - €20,000.00 8th - €15,000.00 9th - €10,000.00 10th - €5,000.00 Going - Good to Soft (Soft in places).
Formscan - Last year's winner Corach Rambler returns to defend his crown after producing a terrific effort to place in the Gold Cup. Officially 3lb well-in, the main concern for his defence would be the combination of a 13lb rise and conditions being more testing than ideal. Irish National winner I Am Maximus and Ultima third Meetingofthewaters head a strong team for Willie Mullins and JP McManus. The former has since won a Grade 1 novice back at Fairyhouse and warmed up with a convincing victory over Vanillier in the Bobbyjo. That being said, while Aintree can bring out the best in quirkier types, it remains to be seen how he handles this experience and his stablemate, winner of the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas, may prove best of the Mullins contingent. However, it is another McManus contender who has plenty going for her in the shape of LIMERICK LACE. Attempting to become the first mare since Nickel Coin in 1951 to win the race, she arrives having enjoyed a terrific season with confidence sky-high after landing the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. She qualified to run here when runner-up in the Troytown and it seems significant that her full-brother Inothewayurthinkin improved plenty for stepping up in trip when taking the Kim Muir. Others likely to be popular on the day include Mr Incredible, who appeared unlucky when unseating at the Canal Turn last year, 2022 winner Noble Yeats and Delta Work.
Grand National odds and best prices:
Once you have pinpointed your Grand National fancies, make sure you don't miss out on free bet offers to ensure you are maximising your potential profit.