Here are Chris Wright's top 10 runners and riders who have the best chance of winning the 2023 Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse. on Saturday.
1. AIN'T THAT A SHAME (trainer: Henry De Bromhead, jockey: Rachael Blackmore – TBC)
Henry De Bromhead’s nine-year-old looks like a progressive young Irish chaser. Finished 13th in the Kim Muir at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, but has improved with each run this season. Second to fellow National hopeful The Big Dog in the Munster National and good fourth to Real Steal in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas. Won for the first time over fences at Gowran Park last time. Could improve further for step up in trip and has a chance of making the frame.
RATING: Three (out of five). ODDS: 20-1
READ MORE: Grand National sweepstake 2023 printable: Free PDF to download of 40 runners for the big race
COKE BEACH (Gordon Elliott; TBC)
Finished eighth in last year’s Grand National when a seven-year-old, having also been seventh in the Irish version in 2021. Ninth in the Munster National in October and after two solid fourth-placed efforts at Navan and in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, took the 3m4f Grand National Trial at Punchestown beating Gordon Elliott stable-mate and fellow Aintree hopeful Defi Bleu. Progressing well and could be Elliott’s leading contender and get closer this time.
RATING: Three (out of five). Odds: 33-1
CORACH RAMBLER (Lucinda Russell; Derek Fox – if fit).
From the Grand National-winning stable of Scottish-based Lucinda Russell, he looks one of, if not the, best chance of a first British-trained winner since predecessor One For Arthur in 2017. The nine-year-old won the Ultima Handicap Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and warmed up for Aintree with another fine win in the same race this time. Was also fourth to Le Milos in the Coral Gold Cup in November and looks tailor-made for the National with all the attributes to go close.
RATING: Four (out of five). ODDS: 13-2.
DELTA WORK (Gordon Elliott; TBC)
Ran superbly to be third last year and returns to Aintree with a clear chance to do better. A former multiple Grade One winner, including winning the 2020 Irish Gold Cup. After some below-par efforts at the top level last season, had his sights lowered. Was the villian when denying dual National hero Tiger Roll a final career win in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last year, before his fine effort at Aintree. Won the Cross Country contest for a second time recently and has everything needed to be in the mix again.
RATING: Four (out of five). ODDS: 10-1
ANY SECOND NOW (Ted Walsh; Mark Walsh)
Ted Walsh’s now 11-year-old is out to make it third time lucky in the National. Having been third to Minella Times, despite being badly hampered by a faller early on in 2021, Any Second Now went one place better, just two-and-a-quarter lengths behind winner Noble Yeats last year. Relishes the Aintree challenge and is a former winner of the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – so at ease on the big days out. A year older and now carrying top weight of 11st12lb, there is a feeling his chance may be gone. But showed he is no back number this season when second over hurdles at Punchestown, fourth to subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs in the Grade One Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, then won the Webster Cup for a second season in a row at Navan in his Aintree prep recently. Should run another big race and could get his head in front, although a place more likely once again.
RATING: Four (out of five). ODDS: 16-1
NOBLE YEATS (Emmet Mullins; Sean Bowen)
Became the first seven-year-old to win the Grand National since Bogskar in 1940, when scoring under Sam Waley-Cohen last year. And the Emmet Mullins-trained star has gone from strength to strength this year, unlike some of the older winners over the years. Still progressing at the age of eight, he put a disappointing effort behind him in France on his return to win a Listed race at Wexford and show a superb turn of foot to come through to win the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase back at Aintree in December. Was third in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham before falling short of becoming the first horse to win the National and Gold Cup since L’Escargot in 1975 when fourth in the Cheltenham Festival feature. Must carry 19lbs more weight this time at Aintree and despite clearly still on an upward curve, may have to settle to minor honours this time.
RATING: Three (out of five). ODDS: 9-1
READ MORE: All the runners and riders for day one of the Grand National Festival
GAILLLARD DU MESNIL (Willie Mullins; TBC)
Like last year’s winner Noble Yeats, Willie Mullins’ contender is a seven-year-old second-season chaser. The changing nature of the race and Ireland’s recent domination mean he looks one of Mullins’ main chances for a second Grand National victory. Third in last year’s Irish Grand National, and won a Grade One three-mile novice event over Christmas before a staying-on success in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time. Classy, progressive and may make mockery of his relative chasing inexperience.
RATING: Three (out of five). ODDS: 14-1
LE MILOS (Dan Skelton; Harry Skelton)
From the Dan Skelton stable, Le Milos is one of a small handful of British-trained hopefuls who may end the Irish domination of the National. The eight-year-old won three times from seven chase starts when trained by Tim Vaughan, but having opened his account on his debut for the Skeltons at Bangor, took the Coral Gold Cup – always an informative pointer for Aintree – in good style, getting the better of Remastered at Newbury in November. Second in the Premier Chase at Kelso last time, he should be ready to run a very big race at Aintree.
RATING: Four (out of five). ODDS: 16-1
LONGHOUSE POET (Martin Brassil; JJ Slevin)
Finished a creditable sixth in last year’s Aintree marathon having travelled well before weakening on the run-in. From the Grand National-winning stable of Martin Brassill, who has a good record from the very few horses he has entered in the race over the years. Now an eight-year-old, Longhouse Poet has a bit more experience and his campaign has been geared around another crack at the Aintree marathon. After a few runs over hurdles, he was back over fences, but unseated JJ Slevin at the first in the Bobbyjo Chase in February. Bounced back with victory at Down Royal recently and will head back to Aintree with a big chance of getting closer than last year.
RATING: Three (out of five). ODDS: 16-1
READ MORE: Grand National 2023: dates, tickets and how to watch on TV
VANILLIER (Gavin Cromwell; Sean Flanagan)
Gavin Cromwell’s eight-year-old appears to have the changing profile of the recent winners of the Grand National. A young, progressive second-season chaser, he has plenty of decent efforts in his 10 starts over the bigger obstacles so far. His only win was at Punchestown in November 2021 but showed he looks a potential top-class staying handicapper when third in the National Hunt Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. Fell on his penultimate start before bouncing back to be a fine second to Kemboy in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. Talented grey who could go very close.
RATING: Five (out of five). ODDS: 20-1
