Racing fans have very little time to wait, the 2023 Grand National is just around the corner.
And we have the big race covered with an ultimate pinstickers guide to all 40 runners and riders for the world's most famous horse race. Mirror Racing gives you the big race lowdown to try and solve the punting puzzle, run on Saturday afternoon at 5.15pm.
Corach Rambler heads the betting but he must beat the 1-2-3 from 2022, the Irish trio of Noble Yeats, Any Second Now and Delta Work if he is to claim Scotland's third win in the showpiece and a second victory for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox.
Here's the definitive verdict from Mirror Sport's resident tipster Newsboy, including William Hill odds and star ratings for each runner, ahead of the main event...
Grand National 2023 pinstickers guide
Odds correct as of April 14, 2023
1. Any Second Now 16-1
TRAINER: Ted Walsh
JOCKEY: Mark Walsh
NEWSBOY SAYS: Badly hampered before finishing third in 2021 and second to Noble Yeats 12 months ago, so likely to go well again for trainer victorious with Papillon in 2000, but the last top weight to win was Red Rum in 1974.
STAR RATING: ***
2. Noble Yeats 11-1
TRAINER: Emmet Mullins
JOCKEY: Sean Bowena
NEWSBOY SAYS: Scored at 50-1 in 2022 to become the first seven-year-old National hero since Bogskar in 1940 and has made further progress this season, so another good show on the cards even if a 19lb rise in the weights makes things tougher.
STAR RATING: ***
3. Galvin 18-1
TRAINER: Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY: Davy Russell
NEWSBOY SAYS: Stable has won the National three times, including with dual scorer Tiger Roll, and last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth is no forlorn hope to provide it with a fourth if this stamina test brings out the best in him.
STAR RATING: ****
4. Fury Road 50-1
TRAINER: Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
NEWSBOY SAYS: High-class chaser at his best and a decent third in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February, but that three-mile trip looks as far as he wants to go so likely to find this marathon a step too far.
STAR RATING: *
5. The Big Dog 16-1
TRAINER: Peter Fahey
JOCKEY: Aidan Coleman
NEWSBOY SAYS: Boasts strong form in handicap chases, following wins at Limerick (Munster National) and Navan with a good third in the Welsh Grand National in first half of the season, but 10-year-old has no secrets from the handicapper as a result.
STAR RATING: ***
6. Capodanno 16-1
TRAINER: Willie Mullins
JOCKEY: Danny Mullins
NEWSBOY SAYS: Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins has just one National win – Hedgehunter in 2005 – on his CV but this seven-year-old still has his best days ahead of him and rates and a player if the race doesn’t come a year too soon.
STAR RATING: ****
7. Delta Work 8-1
TRAINER: Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY: Keith Donoghue
NEWSBOY SAYS: Made dramatic headway for a share of the lead two out before being fading into third place last year but dual Cheltenham Festival scorer has definite claims on another podium finish, especially if there’s a wet weekend on Merseyside.
STAR RATING: ****
8. Sam Brown 66-1
TRAINER: Anthony Honeyball
JOCKEY: Jonathan Burke
NEWSBOY SAYS: Promising novice chaser three winters ago and sprang 28-1 surprise over the regulation fences in the race preceding last year’s National, but form this season is very much a mixed bag and mud lover looks weighted up to his best.
STAR RATING: *
9. Lifetime Ambition 28-1
TRAINER: Mrs John Harrington
JOCKEY: Sean O'Keeffe
NEWSBOY SAYS: Sound jumper took to the National fences like a duck to water when fourth in the Grand Sefton Chase in November and, while he’s made the frame behind some useful rivals since, is likely to prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.
STAR RATING: **
10. Carefully Selected 50-1
TRAINER: W P Mullins
JOCKEY: Michael O'Sullivan
NEWSBOY SAYS: Has proved fragile over the years and, while he netted a big one when landing the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January, didn’t run up to that form last time out and is another who could do with a soft-ground National.
STAR RATING: **
11. Coko Beach 28-1
TRAINER: Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY: Harry Cobden
NEWSBOY SAYS: Grey broke a losing spell stretching back two years when landing National trial at Punchestown in February, but made much of the running before beating a retreat into eighth 12 months ago and likely to struggle for stamina once again.
STAR RATING: **
12. Longhouse Poet 14-1
TRAINER: Martin Brassil
JOCKEY: J J Slevin
NEWSBOY SAYS: Took to the test with relish in 2022 but ultimately faded into sixth, beaten 34 lengths, behind Noble Yeats and will need to curb his enthusiasm if he is to last home for stable successful with Numbersixvalverde 17 years ago.
STAR RATING: ***
13. Gaillard Du Mesnil 12-1
TRAINER: W P Mullins
JOCKEY: Paul Townend
NEWSBOY SAYS: Lucky to collect at the Cheltenham Festival last month – leader was clear when falling two out – but boasts plenty of podium form in strong events over fences, including a third in last year’s Irish Grand National, so entitled to respect.
STAR RATING: ***
14. Darasso 80-1
TRAINER: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
JOCKEY: L P Dempsey
NEWSBOY SAYS: Has an admirably consistent profile and, although he qualified for today with a third in the Kerry National at Listowel last September, has done the bulk of his racing over shorter and may find this test of stamina beyond him.
STAR RATING: *
15. Le Milos 14-1
TRAINER: Dan Skelton
JOCKEY: Harry Skelton
NEWSBOY SAYS: Opened campaign, his first for current trainer, by following Bangor win with victory in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and, even though he was caught late on at Kelso in his hat-trick bid, easy to see this sound jumper going well.
STAR RATING: ****
16. Escaria Ten 100-1
TRAINER: Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY: A P Heskin
NEWSBOY SAYS: Promising enough start to his career over fences but went out like a light, having been bang there at the third-last, to come home 75 lengths behind the winner in eighth last year and form this season far from compelling.
STAR RATING: *
17. The Big Breakaway 28-1
TRAINER: Joe Tizzard
JOCKEY: Brendan Powell
NEWSBOY SAYS: Dyed-in-the-wool sluggard ran a fine race to take second in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in December but flopped when pulled up behind today’s market leader Corach Rambler at Cheltenham, and another who would love the heavens to open.
STAR RATING: **
18. Cape Gentleman 80-1
TRAINER: John Joseph Hanlon
JOCKEY: Jody McGarvey
NEWSBOY SAYS: One of the stories of this year’s race – the owner’s grandfather won the 1923 running with the 13-year-old National stalwart Sergeant Murphy – but successful Flat campaigner has done his winning over fences in small fields and little chance of history repeating.
STAR RATING: *
19. Roi Mage 28-1
TRAINER: Patrick Griffin
JOCKEY: Felix De Giles
NEWSBOY SAYS: Has plenty of experience with 38 outings over fences – Noble Yeats was having his eighth start in chases when winning 12 months ago – and shapes like a stayer so not out of the question he can run above his odds.
STAR RATING: ***
20. Diol Ker 80-1
TRAINER: Noel Meade
JOCKEY: Kieren Buckley
NEWSBOY SAYS: Nearly doubled his tally over fences – sole win in the sphere came in the Leinster National at Naas in March 2022 – at Leopardstown over Christmas, but well beaten on all three attempts at three and a half miles and beyond, so opposable.
STAR RATING: **
21. A Wave Of The Sea 100-1
TRAINER: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
JOCKEY: Shane Fitzgerald
NEWSBOY SAYS: Landed a big pot at Leopardstown in February 2022 but has done all his winning at between two and two and a half miles – hasn’t got his head in front in seven attempts over three – so unlikely to last home.
STAR RATING: *
22. Minella Trump 40-1
TRAINER: Donald McCain
JOCKEY: Theo Gillard
NEWSBOY SAYS: The McCain family – the late Ginger won three Nationals with Red Rum (1973, 1974 & 1977) and one with Amberleigh House (2004), while Donald triumphed with Ballabriggs (2011) are Aintree royalty but his small-field wins are a mile away from what is needed.
STAR RATING: **
23. Vanillier 20-1
TRAINER: Gavin Cromwell
JOCKEY: Sean Flanagan
NEWSBOY SAYS: Won at the highest level over hurdles and, while yet to reach the same heights over fences, ran an excellent National trial in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February and likely stayer can get involved if keeping his jumping clean.
STAR RATING: ****
24. Velvet Elvis 33-1
TRAINER: Thomas Gibney
JOCKEY: Darragh O'Keeffe
NEWSBOY SAYS: Belied his youth when sixth in last year’s Irish Grand National but form at the start of the season far from inspiring and, while there have been green shoots in small fields this year, unlikely to leave the bookies all shook up.
STAR RATING: **
25. Ain't That A Shame 12-1
TRAINER: Henry De Bromhead
JOCKEY: Rachael Blackmore
NEWSBOY SAYS: Win at Gowran Park last month was his first over fences but record includes in-the-frame efforts in Munster National at Limerick in October and at Leopardstown over Christmas, so respected for trainer-jockey firm successful with Minella Times in 2021.
STAR RATING: ****
26. Corach Rambler 9-1
TRAINER: Lucinda Russell
JOCKEY: Derek Fox
NEWSBOY SAYS: Trainer and jockey combined to land the 2017 National with One For Arthur and repeat victory in Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month leaves him 10lb ahead of the handicapper, so deserves his place on any shortlist for today.
STAR RATING: ****
27. Enjoy D'allen 50-1
TRAINER: Ciaran Murphy
JOCKEY: Simon Torrens
NEWSBOY SAYS: Excellent third at 40-1 in the Irish Grand National two years ago but unseated his rider at the very first fence here in 2022 and hefty defeats over hurdles and fences this season suggest he’s got plenty on his plate.
STAR RATING: *
28. Mr Incredible 12-1
TRAINER: W P Mullins
JOCKEY: Brian Hayes
NEWSBOY SAYS: Has refused to race in the past but has run well to take home minor medals at Warwick and the Cheltenham Festival this year and conceivable he can show to good effect if getting out the right side of the bed.
STAR RATING: ***
29. Mister Coffey 50-1
TRAINER: Nicky Henderson
JOCKEY: Nico de Boinville
NEWSBOY SAYS: he National has famously eluded Nicky Henderson, whose CV includes every other National Hunt prize worth winning, and he’ll achieve the rare (but not unknown) feat of winning for the first time over fences if coming home in front today.
STAR RATING: ***
30. Cloudy Glen 50-1
TRAINER: Venetia Williams
JOCKEY: Charlie Deutsch
NEWSBOY SAYS: A Jekyll-and-Hyde profile in handicap chases – he can be very good or abject – should see him go off at similar odds to his trainer’s Mon Mome, who came good at 100-1 in 2009, but don’t bank on him following suit.
STAR RATING: **
31. Hill Sixteen 80-1
TRAINER: Sandy Thomson
JOCKEY: Ryan Mania
NEWSBOY SAYS: Has completed both starts over the National fences – lost out by a nose in the Becher Chase in December 2021 and seventh in the same race 12 months later – but it’s nearly two and a half years since his last win.
STAR RATING: **
32. Gabbys Cross 40-1
TRAINER: Henry De Bromhead
JOCKEY: Peter Carberry
NEWSBOY SAYS: Can make the odd jumping error but landed big prize over fences at the Galway Festival last July and form since, including third in Leinster National last month, suggests he’s capable of giving a good account at rewarding odds.
STAR RATING: *****
33. Recite A Prayer 100-1
TRAINER: W P Mullins
JOCKEY: Jack Foley
NEWSBOY SAYS: Podium finishes when second in the Kerry National at Listowel last September and third in the Cork Grand National in November but well beaten last two starts, including in the Becher Chase, so unlikely his backers’ prayers will be answered.
STAR RATING: *****
34. Eva's Oskar 50-1
TRAINER: Tim Vaughan
JOCKEY: Alan Johns
NEWSBOY SAYS: Fitting of a visor has triggered an upturn in grey stayer’s fortunes with handicap chase win at Cheltenham in December and fourth in Eider Chase four miles and a furlong at Newcastle last time, but this is much tougher.
STAR RATING: ***
35. Our Power 20-1
TRAINER: Sam Thomas
JOCKEY: Sam Twiston-Davies
NEWSBOY SAYS: Welsh challenger is on a roll with two wins from two starts this season, following success at Ascot in October with game victory at Kempton Park in February, an effort which means he is 6lb well in here, so has possibilities.
STAR RATING: ****
36. Dunboyne 66-1
TRAINER: Gordon Elliott
JOCKEY: Jack Tudor
NEWSBOY SAYS: Has refused to race but on his best behaviour with a win at Gowran Park in November, a second in the same track’s Thyestes Chase in January and a fourth at Cheltenham last month, and capable if in the mood.
STAR RATING: ***
37. Francky Du Berlais 80-1
TRAINER: Peter Bowen
JOCKEY: Ben Jones
NEWSBOY SAYS: Beaten a total of 117 lengths in three tries over the National fences, in the Grand Sefton Chase in November 2021, the Topham Chase last April and the Becher Chase in December, and another weighty reverse likely over this trip.
STAR RATING: *
38. Fortescue 66-1
TRAINER: Henry Daly
JOCKEY: Hugh Nugent
NEWSBOY SAYS: Beating a retreat when he unseated his rider at the fourth-last fence 12 months ago and, while his a staying-on fourth in the Becher Chase in December was more like it, not sure he’s got the stomach for this fight.
STAR RATING: **
39. Back On The Lash 28-1
TRAINER: Martin Keighley
JOCKEY: Adam Wedge
NEWSBOY SAYS: Harry Redknapp’s horse has done much of his recent running over Cheltenham’s cross country course – he has won over the banks and hedges twice – but pulled up at the Festival last month and nearer the relegation places than the top six.
STAR RATING: **
40. Born By The Sea
TRAINER: Paul John Gilligan
JOCKEY: Phillip Enright
NEWSBOY SAYS: Races from 4lb out of the handicap – 10st is the minimum weight but his rating falls short – made no impression when a 100-1 shot at the Cheltenham Festival and doubtful stayer deserves his place among the rank outsiders here.
STAR RATING: *
