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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Will Freeman

Grand National 2023 tips: Ruby Walsh and horse racing experts' selections for Aintree

The Grand National takes place on Saturday afternoon at Aintree, with 40 horses vying for the biggest prize of the National Hunt calendar.

It is also one of the biggest days for betting all year, with many allocating one day a year to 'have a flutter' on the most recognisable horse race in Britain. The huge fences are always a big challenge for horses taking part and the iconic Norway spruce hedges provide one of the sternest tests in the sport.

There are 16 fences to be navigated, with 14 of those taken twice as 40 horses compete for a share of a £1 million prize pot. Corach Rambler is favourite for the race, with the Lucinda Russell trained nine -year-old currently being 13/2 ahead of last year's winner Noble Yeats, who is 8/1 alongside Cheltenham Festival winner Delta Work.

READ NEXT: Grand National sweepstake 2023 kit: Printable PDF of 40 runners for the big race

Here is a round-up of the big names and their tips for the Grand National:

Alex Hammond - Sky Sports pundit

The Sky Sports pundit told Sporting Life: "I have six horses on my final shortlist. In no particular order I like Gaillard Du Mesnil, Galvin, Le Milos, The Big Dog, Delta Work and Our Power."

Jamie Codd - jockey

The renowned amateur jockey, known as the Coddfather said: "I liked his run beyond Any Second Now the last day - he will get a lot more weight off him this time round and is running off a nice weight.

"His trainer Thomas Gibney is no stranger to big race success having won an Irish National.

"He can be ridden handy, is a sound jumper and can handle a little dig in the ground.

"I also think Corach Rambler, Mr Incredible and Carefully Selected could run well."

Ruby Walsh - former jockey

Legendary former National Hunt jockey turned pundit, Walsh said: "Le Milos, Velvet Elvis, Corach Rambler and Any Second Now will come in the top four."

Kevin Blake - ITV pundit

The racing pundit said: "The one I'm putting at the top is Galvin for Gordon Elliott.

"After he won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham Gordon was talking of him as a National horse. He beat A Plus Tard in the Savills and is a very high class horse.

"He slightly went the wrong way in the middle part of this season, he had a small surgery on his back and reading between the lines it was a rush to get him back for Cheltenham.

"Being there and having a good look at him in person I thought he was carrying condition and needed the run. I think, with that in mind, he shaped that way too.

"He came to beat Delta Work and just ran out of puff up the run-in due to that lack of a run. But that finish will put him bang on in fitness terms."

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