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Welcome to my preview of the 2023 Grand National, the most famous steeplechase in the world.
As always, the anticipation for the big race is immense, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch 40 horses tackle the daunting fences at Aintree. This year's lineup may not feature the strongest set of runners we've seen, but it still promises to be a thrilling and competitive affair.
I've spent hours analyzing each of the 40 runners, taking into account their recent form, age, weight, and other factors, to provide you with a brief write-up on each horse. I'll be sharing my personal opinions and thoughts on the top contenders for the Grand National, including their chances of winning, placing, or falling at the fences.
I'll also be sharing my own five bests bets for the Grand National, so if you're looking for some expert advice or tips, be sure to stick around till the end of the post.
Without further ado, let's dive into the first set of contenders and see who stands a good chance of winning the 2023 Grand National.
1 – Any Second Now -14/1
This one is a course specialist who has some decent form having already finished 3rd behind Minella Times and second behind last year's winner Noble Yeats. He's an 11-year-old so probably isn't getting any better but that being said he did run a cracking race in the Irish gold cup and followed that up with a win over shorter at Navan on testing ground. Carries top weight but certainly has place claims.
2 – Noble Yeats – 11/1
Won this race last year for Sam Waley-Cohen to give him a fairy tale ending. Hes improved a good bit this season but to be honest I thought he was slightly disappointing on some efforts. Their best effort was probably his 4th in the Gold Cup which is a great piece of form to take into this. All that being said he is carrying more weight this time around and I'd probably opt to look elsewhere.
3 – Galvin – 20/1
Good runner-up recently to Delta work in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham. Finished 4th in last year’s Gold Cup and a winner of a Grade One chase. Not totally sure about the ground conditions for him but he's a good each-way play at the 20s.
4- Fury Road – 40/1
Had a decent season last season. The most eye-catching piece of form was his run in the Irish gold cup where he gave Galopin Des Champs a decent run for his money. He also finished sixth in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham behind Envoi Allen which was another decent run. I've had issues with him over the trip and for that reason would look elsewhere.
5 – The Big Dog – 14/1
Finished 3rd in the Welsh National carrying tons of weight and was running well before falling in the Irish Gold Cup. He has recently taken a bad fall which is a concern given he'll be facing the fences at Aintree. Enjoys soft which will be a benefit. Was 25s at one point now into 14s which is a shame but one of the ones I like in this race as an each-way play.
6 – Capodano -18/1
Finished up last season winning a Grade One champion novice chase at Punchestown. Due to injury was a late starter this year. Probably a big ask given he's only had the one run.
7 – Delta Work – 8/1
This is one of my main plays in this year's grand national. He ruined Tiger Roll's fairy tale ending in the Cross Country at Cheltenham last year and then repeated the victory at this year's Cheltenham meeting. Jumps well, should see out the trip and loves soft ground.
8 – Sam Brown – 80/1
Had a nice prep run for this over hurdles at Uttoxeter. Has been dropped 3 lbs since. Trainer’s horses haven't been in the best of form.
9 – Lifetime ambition – 33/1
Has not taken too badly to the fences. Had a run at Thurles in a hurdle recently, probably to blow away any cobwebs for this. Jessica Harrington has never won the National but when she sends a runner to take part they've to be respected. Possible place claims at a nice price.
10 – Carefully Selected – 50/1
Lightly enough raced for an 11yr old. Was once second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. His win In the Thyestes Chase at Gowran recently was a good run although he wasn't up to much in his most recent outing at Fairyhouse in a Grade 3 chase where he finished 4 of 8.
11 – Coko Beach – 33/1
I think rizz has tipped this horse up on an occasion I may be wrong.
Gordon Elliots grey will have Harry Cobden on board tomorrow. Can be a hard ride ( lazy and needs pushed along at times to keep concentration) big field will benefit him I think. Recent winner of the Punchestown National Trial although that was his first win in roughly 2 years. Finished 8th in last year’s race. Possible place claims.
12 – Longhouse Poet – 20/1
I was on the fence with this one because I think he could be a decent each-way play. Finished sixth in the race last year and notably has been pretty much untouched by the handicapper this time due to be raced recently over hurdles. Recently won at down royal as a prep run. I wouldn't underestimate him or the trainer. Possible place claims.
13 – Gaillard Du Mensil – 12/1
Although only a 7-year-old I personally feel this is W Mullins's best shout in this year's national and he has spoken highly of him in recent times. Townend rides which is also another positive. He finished third in last year’s Irish National and stayed on nicely last time out which would make you think this further distance won't be an issue. Tends to do best work late on. Another one of my strong fancies.
14 – Darraso – 80/1
Wasn't far behind the recently retired honeysuckle last April but that was over hurdles and of course much shorter distance-wise. Late newcomer to fences and has the stamina to prove it.
15 – Le Milos – 14/1
My mum bets once a year and knows nothing about racing and she's picked this horse. Mums are always right. Get the house on it! All joking aside, I really like this horse for the skeletons. Won the Coral Gold Cup and was unbeaten in two starts since joining Dan Skelton in the autumn. Looked to have needed the run last time out at Kelso when finishing 2nd but that was still a sound prep run to blow away any cobwebs. That should have put him spot-on for Aintree. Did always look like a nice staying chaser definitely enters this race with claims.
16 – Escaria Ten – 100/1
9th in this race last year which sounds okay however was beaten 75 lengths in total. Not seen much in the winner's enclosure during their career and was pulled up some way out at Cheltenham last month probably best to look elsewhere.
17 – The Big Breakaway – 33/1
Injuries hammered this one last season. Pulled up at Cheltenham last month however he ran a terrific prep for this finishing second off a big weight in the Welsh National. Is a good stayer on his day and if showing up on song has place claims.
18 – Cape Gentleman – 100/1
Most successful of the entries on the Flat having won the Irish Cesarewitch and run at Royal Ascot. Had an initial promise as a novice In his 2021 campaign but hasn't really gone any further. The recent form is reflective of his price.
19 – Roi Mage – 40/1
Fell in the cross country at Cheltenham in December but was notably travelling not too badly. Good second to Longhouse Poet last time. Seems versatile enough ground wise and comes into this as the most experienced runner in the field with a whopping 51 starts.
20 – Doil Keer – 80/1
Not your classy-looking sort but is definitely a strong stayer. Disappointing in National Trial behind Coko Beach last time. If he gets as far as the end and tidies up on jumping you just never know.
21 – A wave of the sea – 80/1
Has done a good bit of running for a 7yr old and his form book isn't catching to the eye in the slightest. Not the greatest jumping-wise and stamina I feel will he an issue.
22 – Minella Trump – 66/1
Has won 9 of 11 starts, six of which came at Perth where he is currently unbeaten. Probably wants good ground which he'll not get given how the forecast has been at Aintree. Still to be respected.
23 – Vanillier – 16/1
Bolted up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham as a novice hurdler. Yet to reach the same heights over fences but did place in National Hunt Chase last year over 3m6 so stamina shouldn't be an issue. Some money in for this one already and has definite place claims if showing up.
24 – Velvet Elvis – 40/1
Won a pretty poor contested 3-mile chase at Fairyhouse in February. Trainer feels the return to form was due to a small field. Has 40 to contend with tomorrow. Probably look elsewhere.
25 – Ain't that a shame – 8/1
20s and now into 8s and to be honest I'm not quite sure why. Too short for me to get involved with. Blackmore and HDB combo probably has something to do with the gamble on this one. They Won last time out over 2 and a half miles and has the stamina to prove but the fact it's Blackmore's pick of the bunch maybe says something..
26 – Corach Rambler – 10/1
Another of my main plays. Myself and Rizz both rate this horse and Rizz himself has tipped him up on multiple occasions. Won't want to hit the front too soon but jumps well and I can see him powering home in the business end. Its the hope that kills you!
27 – Enjoy D'Allen – 40/1
Fell at the first last year. Hasnt done much since in regards to form to suggest he has any sort of chance in this. Not for me personally.
28 – Mr Incredible – 14/1
Joined Mullins from Henry de Bromhead. Still lightly raced. Ran a nice third in Kim Muir and might have won but for blunderring the last. A quirky but interesting runner for Willie Mullins. Place claims for me.
29 – Mister Coffey – 40/1
Still a second-season novice but has been unlucky on occasions. Has failed to perform over the fences and that leaves serious question marks. Probably look elsewhere.
30 – Cloudy Glen – 66/1
Ran well in Haydock’s Grand National trial after a long time off the track, and finished third on the day. Pulled up at Cheltenham last month.
31 – Hill Sixteen – 100/1
Roughly 2 and a half years since the last win. But has jumped around Aintree twice in the Becher Chase beaten by only a nose in 2021. The form is a bit sketchy of recent and probably one to avoid.
32 – Gabbys Cross – 66/1
Ran a decent race in a big field handicap at Leopardstown at the end of last year. Question marks over Stamina for me and probably would get involved with him.
33 – Recite a prayer- 100/1
Another W Mullins runner one Ill probably not be getting involved with. Wasnt at the races at all in the Becher Chase last autumn. Third in the Cork Grand National was a better effort but much to do in this field.
34 – Evas Oskar – 66/1
Believe it or not I sort of like this horse but not enough to be placing money on it. Recently finished fourth in the Eider Chase over four miles whilst carrying top weight so stamina shouldn't be an issue. Possible place claims at a nice price if showing up.
35 – Our Power – 25/1
I really like this one as an each-way play. Currently unbeaten in two starts this season and looks to still be improving. Good to note he won his last race after the entries came out so he is technically 6lbs well in. Each way claims.
36 – Dunboyne- 50/1
Slowly but surely improving per run. But has a lot to find in this field to get involved in my opinion. Opt to look elsewhere.
37 – Francky Du Berlais – 66/1
Has contested the Aintree fences three times with not much success. Question marks over stamina for me and probably a no-go for me.
38 – Fortescue – 66/1
A good strong-staying type. Finished 4th in the Becher Chase after getting going late on which was a good effort. Will enjoy the ground tomorrow. Possible place claims on a good day.
39 – Back on the lash – 33/1
A cross-country specialist which is a positive. Stays for days and jumps well. Place claims.
40 – Born by the sea – 66/1
Question mark over the trip for this one having mostly run over much shorter. Stamina I think will be an issue and probably won't be involved.
Probably look elsewhere.
Grand National Betting Tips
Each Way Tips
- Longhouse Poet 20/1 EW
- Our Power 25/1 EW
Main Tips
- Corach Rambler 10/1
- Delta Work 9/1
- Gaillard Du Mensil 12/1
Good luck with your grand national picks, as always let us know your selections for this year's big race in the comment section below.
