Noble Yeats is on course to chase historic back-to-back wins in the Grand National.
Emmet Mullins' horse became the first seven-year-old to take Aintree's big race in over 80 years. Tiger Roll was the last thoroughbred to complete the double in 2018 and 2019, joining a select group led by hat-trick hero Red Rum.
Corach Rambler is the ante-post favourite for this year's renewal, which takes place on April 15. Up for grabs is a first prize of £561,300, with £211,110 given to connections of the second and £105,000 for third.
A UK TV audience of 8.8 million people watched Rachael Blackmore become the first female jockey to win on Minella Times in 2021. Globally, the world's most famous race attracts an audience of more than 500 million.
It is a big betting event, with 40 runners in the line-up giving punters an each-way angle.
When is the 2023 Grand National?
It will be run at 5.15pm on Saturday, April 15. There is a four-week gap between Aintree and the Cheltenham Festival this year.
Grand National 2023 racecard
This is the programme on the day. The Grand National is the sixth race out of seven. There is also quality racing on the Thursday and Friday of the festival week.
1:45pm |
The EFT Systems Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) |
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2.25pm |
The Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) |
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3.00pm |
The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
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3.35pm |
JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) |
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4.15pm |
William Hill Freebooter Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3) |
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5:15pm |
Randox Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) |
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6.20pm |
Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NHF Race (Grade 2) |
How to watch Grand National 2023
The race will be shown live on ITV and subscription channel Racing TV. All of the action from Aintree can be viewed for free via the ITVX app on mobile devices.
Grand National 2023 key runners and riders
Corach Rambler
Trained by Lucinda Russell, who won the race in 2017 with One For Arthur, the ante-post favourite is 10lb 'well in.' This means his new rating, for winning successive titles in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham, does not kick in until after Aintree. The mount of Derek Fox, Corach Rambler has shown his best form in a big field, like the one he will encounter at the Liverpool venue.
Noble Yeats
Last year's winner recorded a 50-1 shock result and gave jockey Sam Waley-Cohen a fairytale farewell moment before he retired from the saddle. A lot shorter in the betting this time, Noble Yeats has a 19lb higher rating to defy after he continued his progress in graded chases. He arrives at Aintree after a fourth-placed finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is due to be ridden by Sean Bowen.
Delta Work
Third in 2022, he has 22 lengths to find with Noble Yeats. Trainer Gordon Elliott has given him the same preparation, scooping the cross country chase at Cheltenham for the second year running. After a sluggish start 12 months ago, Delta Work enjoyed the challenge under a patient ride from Jack Kennedy to earn his place on the podium – and he competes from a 1lb lower mark this time around.
Any Second Now
Twice placed in the challenge over the famous spruce fences, Ted Walsh's runner will be saddled with top weight of 11st 12lb. Adaptable trip-wise, he warmed up for his third attempt by taking a Grade 2 event over 2m 4f at Navan. Walsh feels it will be a tough ask for the 11-year-old, partnered by Mark Walsh, to go two places better. "He has a big task at Aintree," he said. "He is up 8lb from last year. He wasn't unlucky last year, a horse on the improve beat him."
Grand National 2023 runners and weights
This list shows the top 40 horses in the line-up when the weights were announced. It is subject to change and the final list of runners will be revealed in the week of the big race.
1 Any Second Now (IRE) 11 11 12 167 Mr John P. McManus Ted Walsh IRE
2 Conflated (IRE) 9 11 12 167 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
3 Hewick (IRE) 8 11 12 167 Mr T. J. Mcdonald John Hanlon IRE
4 Galvin (IRE) 9 11 11 166 Mr R. A. Bartlett Gordon Elliott IRE
5 Noble Yeats (IRE) 8 11 11 166 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Emmet Mullins IRE
6 Envoi Allen (FR) 9 11 8 163 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
7 Royale Pagaille (FR) 9 11 8 163 Mrs S. Ricci Venetia Williams
8 Fury Road (IRE) 9 11 6 161 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
9 Capodanno (FR) 7 11 5 160 Mr John P. McManus Willie Mullins IRE
10 The Big Dog (IRE) 10 11 5 160 Damien J. Kelly/Colin Kelly Peter Fahey IRE
11 Delta Work (FR) 10 11 4 159 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
12 Sam Brown (GB) 11 11 4 159 Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball
13 Franco de Port (FR) 8 11 3 158 Bruton Street V Willie Mullins IRE
14 Lifetime Ambition (IRE) 8 11 3 158 Linda Mulcahy/Mary Wolridge Jessica Harrington IRE
15 Carefully Selected (IRE) 11 11 1 156 Miss M. A. Masterson Willie Mullins IRE
16 Chris's Dream (IRE) 11 11 0 155 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE
17 Coko Beach (FR) 8 11 0 155 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
18 Gaillard du Mesnil (FR) 7 11 0 155 Mrs J. Donnelly Willie Mullins IRE
19 Longhouse Poet (IRE) 9 11 0 155 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil IRE
20 Minella Times (IRE) 10 11 0 155 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead IRE
21 Darasso (FR) 10 10 13 154 Mr John P. McManus Joseph O'Brien IRE
22 Burrows Saint (FR) 10 10 12 153 Mrs S. Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
23 Pencilfulloflead (IRE) 9 10 12 153 Robcour Gordon Elliott IRE
24 Ga Law (FR) 7 10 11 152 The Footie Partnership Jamie Snowden
25 Happygolucky (IRE) 9 10 11 152 Lady Dulverton Kim Bailey
26 Le Milos (GB) 8 10 11 152 The Jolly Good Partnership Dan Skelton
27 Quick Wave (FR) 10 10 11 152 Ms Sharon Kinsella Venetia Williams
28 The Shunter (IRE) 10 10 11 152 Mr John P. McManus Emmet Mullins IRE
29 Escaria Ten (FR) 9 10 10 151 McNeill Family Gordon Elliott IRE
30 Farclas (FR) 9 10 10 151 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
31 Remastered (GB) 10 10 10 151 Brocade Racing David Pipe
32 The Big Breakaway (IRE) 8 10 10 151 Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Joe Tizzard
33 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 8 10 9 150 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls
34 Cape Gentleman (IRE) 7 10 8 149 Mr Pierre Manigault John Hanlon IRE
35 Cilaos Emery (FR) 11 10 8 149 The Has Been's Sophie Leech
36 Diol Ker (FR) 9 10 8 149 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE
37 Roi Mage (FR) 11 10 8 149 Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin IRE
38 A Wave of The Sea (IRE) 7 10 6 147 Mr John P. McManus Joseph O'Brien IRE
39 Minella Trump (IRE) 9 10 6 147 Mr T. G. Leslie Donald McCain
40 Vanillier (FR) 8 10 6 147 Mrs H. M. Keaveney Gavin Cromwell IRE
