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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Full list of Grand National runners and riders 2023 pinstickers' guide - all the horses, odds and tips

National (Event) Grand National Gordon Elliott Chris Wright Willie Mullins Cheltenham Aintree (Event) Ted Walsh Delta Work Donald McCain

The final of the Grand National is here.

The field of 40 runners has been declared for the 2023 Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse this Saturday after just one horse was taken out from the initial 50 at the five-day declaration stage.

The Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now – who has been third and second in the last two Grand Nationals – heads the handicap on 11st12lb. Lucinda Russell's Corach Rambler is the favourite after winning the Ultima Handicap Chase for a second successive year at last month's Cheltenham Festival. Last year's Grand National winner, the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats will also his bid to become the 10th dual winner of the Aintree race.

And here is a pinstickers' guide, with marks out of 10 rating each horse's chance of victory.

1 ANY SECOND NOW (trainer: Ted Walsh, jockey: Mark Walsh)

Ted Walsh’s 11-year-old loves the Aintree challenge and has finished third and second in the last two Nationals. Won on his warm-up at Navan for second year running. Looks likely to go very close again.

SCORE: 8 (out of 10. ODDS (betting guide): 14-1

2. NOBLE YEATS (Emmet Mullins, Sean Bowen)

Good winner last year and has been excellent since. Won the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase at Aintree and a fine staying-on fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time. Up 19lb and may not win this time but should run well again.

SCORE: 7. ODDS: 8-1

3 GALVIN (Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell)

Won Grade One Savills Chase last season and was good fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Mostly off form this term until fine second to Delta Work in Cross Country Chase. Has potential to go well, but unlikely to win.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 20-1

4. FURY ROAD (Gordon Elliott, Jonjo O'Neill Jnr)

Grade One winner as a novice, but generally not quite up to top-class company. But has been placed twice at Leopardstown this season. He has stamina doubts for this trip and may not be ideal type for the National.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 40-1

5. THE BIG DOG (Peter Fahey, Aidan Coleman)

Pulled up in Welsh National last season, but has won the Munster version and Troytown Handicap this term. Returned to Chepstow to finish third in the Welsh version, but fell early in Irish Gold Cup. Place possibilites.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 25-1

6. CAPODANNO (Willie Mullins, Danny Mullins)

Has won two of six starts over fences including in the 3m Novice Chase at Punchestown last April. Only one run this year, when third of four at Gowran Park. Lacks experience but could still go well.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 20-1

7. DELTA WORK (Gordon Elliott, Keith Donoghue)

Ex-Grade One winner has thrived since having sights lowered. Won Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham before fine third in the National last year. Won same race at Cheltenham and will go very close.

SCORE: 8. ODDS: 9-1

8. SAM BROWN (Anthony Honeyball, Jonathan Burke)

Won handicap at last year’s meeting that has sometimes been good guide for National – but only third win over fences. Pulled up at Newbury since and fifth over hurdles last time. Unlikely to be a factor in finish.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 66-1

9. LIFETIME AMBITION (Jessica Harrington, Sean O'Keeffe)

Two wins in 11 chase starts but good form in defeat this season. Took to National fences well when fourth in Grand Sefton in November. Second in Troytown Handicap at Navan also decent form. Could run a big race.

SCORE: 7. ODDS: 25-1

10. CAREFULLY SELECTED (Willie Mullins, Michael O'Sullivan)

Has only run seven times over fences but he has won four of those with impressive success in Thyestes Chase with some National rivals behind. Fourth in Bobbyjo Chase last time and another who could make frame.

SCORE: 7. ODDS: 33-1

11. COKO BEACH (Gordon Elliott, Harry Cobden)

Distant eighth behind Noble Yeats in last year’s National but progressing well and has plenty of experience for an eight-year-old. Won National Trial Punchestown in style last time and could easily go close to victory.

SCORE: 8. ODDS: 33-1

12. LONGHOUSE POET (Martin Brassil, JJ Slevin)

Ran well in sixth in last year’s National having won Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park before. Season geared around return to Aintree and won a 3m2f chase at Down Royal in warm-up. Could easily get much closer this time.

SCORE: 7. ODDS: 14-1

13. GAILLARD DU MESNIL (Willie Mullins, Paul Townend)

Talented young chaser who won Grade One at Leopardstown in December. Battled to land gruelling success in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time. Right profile for recent winners and another with a chance.

SCORE: 7. ODDS: 14-1

READ MORE: For latest odds from William Hill, the official betting partner of the Grand National Festival, visit https://rb.gy/izcpzu

14. DARASSO (Joseph O'Brien, LP Dempsey)

Been around block with 28 chase starts and seven wins. But has never run in real long-distance contests, although was second in Galway Plate and third in Kerry National. Doubtful stayer and may not get round.

SCORE: 4. ODDS: 50-1

15. LE MILOS (Dan Skelton, Harry Skelton)

Looks ideal type for Grand National and is one of best chance of a first British win since 2017. Won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury well and warmed up with a fine second in Premier Chase at Kelso. Should go close.

SCORE: 8. ODDS: 14-1

16. ESCARIA TEN (Gordon Elliott, Adrian Heskin)

Finished ninth in last year’s National and only won once in 11 chases. Pulled up in Irish National in past and on recent start at Cheltenham. Has ability but doesn’t seem to have progressed. May get round but no more.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 66-1

17. THE BIG BREAKAWAY (Joe Tizzard, Brendan Powell)

Open to improvement and has run decent races in defeat. But strike rate of one chase win in 11 tempers enthusiasm. Fine second in Welsh National, but pulled up in Ultima at Cheltenham last time. May finish but little more.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 33-1

18. CAPE GENTLEMAN (John 'Shark' Hanlon, Jody McGarvey)

Owned by American descendents of 1923 National winner Sergeant Murphy. But on 100th anniversary would be a surprise winner. Only seven and little form to suggest he is up to winning a National right now.

SCORE: 4. ODDS: 100-1

19. ROI MAGE (Patrick Griffin, Felix De Giles)

Missed the cut last year, but in now. Some good form in France but only one win since joining Patrick Griffin. Fell in Cross Country at Cheltenham in January but second to Longhouse Poet last time. Should get round.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 40-1

20. DIOL KER (Noel Meade, Kieren Buckley)

Won Leinster National and 10th in Irish version last season. Second at Leopardstown over Christmas but disappointed in National Trial at Punchestown last time. Could go well but stamina doubts a put-off.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 40-1

21. A WAVE BY THE SEA (Joseph O'Brien, Shane Fitzgerald)

Plenty of experience despite being only seven, but level of form leaves a lot to be desired. Has run mostly over shorter distances and pulled up over two miles at Cheltenham. Little chance of even finishing.

SCORE: 4. ODDS: 100-1

22. MINELLA TRUMP (Donald McCain, Theo Gillard)

Prolific winner in small-field chases and welcome runner for Grand National winner Donald McCain. Has stamina to prove having not run beyond 3m and big field an unknown. But could go well if those are not an issue.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 66-1

23. VANILLIER (Gavin Cromwell, Sean Flanagan)

Grade One winner over hurdles at Cheltenham in 2021 and has progressive profile of recent winners. Third in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last year and second in Bobbyjo last time. Could easily be the winner.

SCORE: 9. ODDS: 20-1

24. VELVET ELVIS (Thomas Gibney, Darragh O'Keeffe)

Sixth in Irish National last year and another a young chaser from Ireland with a progressive profile. But may find Aintree too much for him and not certain his jumping will be good enough. But not without hope.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 66-1

25. AIN'T THAT A SHAME (Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore)

Probably should have won a chase before his finally scored at Gowran Park last time. Has ability but still plenty to prove after just seven runs, mostly over shorter distances. Stamina issue and experience off-putting.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 20-1

26. CORACH RAMBLER (Lucinda Russell, Derek Fox)

Best chance of first British winner since 2017. Superb jumper who stays. Won twice at Cheltenham Festival so enjoys the big days. Should be there at finish but has to come from behind and might not get there in time.

SCORE: 8. ODDS: 13-2

27. ENJOY D'ALLEN (Ciaran Murphy, Sam Torrens)

Looked made for the National last year before fell at the first when well-fancied. Form has been awful since and sixth in Bobbyjo recently gives him a lot to do with several rivals. May get further this time but not much.

SCORE: 4. ODDS: 66-1

28. MR INCREDIBLE (Willie Mullins, Brian Hayes)

Quirky but talented customer who stayed-on to be third in Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time. Inexperienced with seven runs over fences. But if he puts it together could run a big race. But others make more appeal.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 14-1

29. MISTER COFFEY (Nicky Henderson, Nico De Boinville)

Experience of the Aintree fences but down the field when well-fancied in last year’s Topham. Has run well this season and third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He won’t get any closer at Aintree.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 40-1

30. CLOUDY GLEN (Venetia Williams, Charlie Deutsch)

Won ‘Hennessy’ at Newbury in 2021 but mostly disappointing since. Was third in Grand National Trial at Haydock Park but will need to bounce back to feature at Aintree. Overall he probably isn’t up to the task and may not finish.

SCORE: 4. ODDS: 80-1

31. HILL SIXTEEN (Sandy Thomson, Ryan Mania)

Narrowly beaten in Becher Chase over Aintree fences last season and seventh this term in December. Also unseated rider in Scottish National and although not without ability, hard to seeing him featuring at the finish.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 66-1

32. GABBY'S CROSS (Henry De Bromhead, Peter Carberry)

Has tended to run over much shorter distances so stamina not guaranteed. Although a decent third in Leinster National last time. But made error late on there and may not get away with any at Aintree.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 50-1

33. RECITE A PRAYER (Willie Mullins, JB Foley)

Won Killarney National last May and second in Kerry version in September. Down field in Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, having been distant 12th in Becher earlier in December. Unikely to be involved in finish.

SCORE: 4. ODDS: 100-1

34. EVA'S OSKAR (Tim Vaughan, Alan Johns)

Pulled up in Welsh National in past. But won handicap at Cheltenham in December and was decent fourth in Eider at Newcastle last time. Should stay judged on that effort and could easily run very well.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 50-1

35. OUR POWER (Sam Thomas, Sam Twiston-Davies)

In fine form and one of the more interesting British (Welsh) raiders. Won at Ascot in October and again at Kempton in February over 3m. Stamina unproved, but should stay and could be a contender.

SCORE: 7. ODDS: 20-1

36. DUNBOYNE (Gordon Elliott, Jack Tudor)

Young chaser with one win in nine starts over the big obstacles. Staying-on fourth in Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time – although at a distance. Has some potential but others look more persuasive. Should get round.

SCORE: 6. ODDS: 50-1

37. FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (Peter Bowen, Ben Jones)

Fourth over the fences in last year’s Topham and 15th back at Aintree in Becher. Was running big race in Cross Country at Cheltenham before refusing at last. Hard to see him improving on those back at Aintree.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 100-1

38. FORTESCUE (Henry Daly, Hugh Nugent)

Unseated rider in last year’s National but ran well in fourth back over fences in Becher in December. Pulled up in Welsh version and fifth in Grand National Trial at Haydock last time. Unlikely to feature in the finish.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 66-1

39. BACK ON THE LASH (Martin Keighley, Adam Wedge)

Part-owned by ex-football boss Harry Redknapp, he scored victory in Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in January. But pulled up back at Prestbury Park last month. Unlikely to last the full ‘90 minutes’ again.

SCORE: 5. ODDS: 66-1

40. BORN BY THE SEA (Paul Gilligan, Phillip Enright)

Just two wins in 19 chase starts and last one was over 2m6f in July 2021. Rarely run over more than three miles so stamina is a major doubt. Doesn’t look to have ability or form to suggest he will finish. Little chance.

SCORE: 3. ODDS: 100-1