Grand National 2024: A Comprehensive Runner-by-Runner Guide
13.07.2024
Introduction
The 2024 Randox Grand National is almost here, and excitement is building. This year’s race will feature 34 runners, down from the traditional 40, competing for the title of champion. With so many contenders, placing a bet can seem daunting, but fear not! We have compiled a comprehensive runner-by-runner guide to help you make informed decisions. The race is one of the few that breaks into the public mainstream each year, with an estimated 7.5 million people due to tune into ITV Racing for the world’s most famous steeplechase. Whether you are a seasoned horse racing enthusiast or a casual spectator, this guide has you covered.
Grand National Betting Offers & Free Bets
Before you place your bets, be sure to take advantage of the generous betting offers and free bets available for the Grand National. There are many licensed online bookmakers offering enticing promotions, including free bets, odds boosts, extra places, and money-back specials. Make sure to do your research and compare offers to find the best deals for you. One example is a promo offering a £50 free bet, plus £10 worth of casino free spins, with a code WELCOME50. However, you should always check for the latest codes and offers before you bet.
Grand National Odds & Predictions 2024
Corach Rambler, the 2023 Grand National winner, is the early favourite for this year’s race at 13/2 with bet365. However, with a field of 34 horses, there are plenty of other contenders with the potential to upset the odds. It’s worth looking beyond the favourite and considering other horses with strong track records and the ability to handle the challenging Aintree course. Keep an eye out for horses like I Am Maximus, who is prominent in the ante-post betting but will be carrying more weight in the 2025 race. Be sure to do your research and consider the individual strengths and weaknesses of each horse before making your predictions.
Grand National Runners, Riders & Odds
The 2024 Grand National is a thrilling spectacle, and with 34 runners vying for the title, it’s a race that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Each horse comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses, and the odds reflect the bookmakers’ assessment of their chances. The odds fluctuate throughout the week leading up to the race, so it’s wise to stay updated with the latest information. Check out the odds for each horse, along with their riders and jockey information, to get a better understanding of the potential for success in this year’s Grand National.
Horse by Horse Guide
Our detailed guide covers each horse’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential for success. We’ve analyzed their recent performances, jockey experience, and the challenging Aintree course itself. This will help you make informed decisions about your bets, whether you’re looking for a winning favorite or a long-shot with surprising potential. From Corach Rambler, the defending champion, to the lesser-known contenders, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the thrilling world of the Grand National!
Corach Rambler
The defending champion, Corach Rambler, returns to Aintree carrying 13lbs more than last year’s victory. Despite the increased weight, his recent form remains strong, highlighted by his third-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He’s a proven performer over these challenging fences and could very well defend his title.
Noble Yeats
The 2022 Grand National winner returns to Aintree carrying top weight. He’s a consistent performer who has shown he can handle the demands of the race, but the added weight will be a significant challenge. He’ll need to be at his very best to contend with Corach Rambler and other top contenders.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
A talented stayer who thrives in the mud, Gaillard Du Mesnil made a name for himself by winning the Welsh Grand National. However, he was hiked in the weights for that victory and faces a tough task here. He’s not one to rule out entirely, especially if the rain continues to fall, but others look more appealing at this stage.
Delta Work
Delta Work is an experienced chaser with a proven ability over the Grand National fences, having finished second in the Becher Chase. However, he faces a tough task here off 6lbs higher than when he was pulled-up in the race 12 months ago. Despite representing a yard that has won the Grand National three times, he faces stiff competition from others.
Fury Road
Fury Road is a high-class chaser who has been performing better than ever this year. He won the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January and followed that with a fine fourth in the Ryanair Chase. He has an each-way chance if he stays the marathon distance, but he must prove his stamina after being pulled up in the race last year.
Any Second Now
Talented eight-year-old who has plenty to recommend him. He won last year’s Irish Grand National as a novice and has performed with credit this season. He easily accounted for last year’s National runner-up Vanillier in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. That race regularly proves to be a good pointer for this, and he appeals as the type who will relish this test of stamina. Ought to go very close for the all-conquering Willie Mullins team.
The Big Breakaway
Has one of the more unorthodox profiles for this, having been a regular in the point-to-point and hunter chase scene for much of his career. He has previous over these fences, however, having won the Foxhunters here in 2022 and finished in the frame on two other occasions. He did his claims for this no harm when winning a cross country race at Cheltenham in December and, while he will almost certainly relish the challenge, he’ll need to step up a gear or two for win purposes.
Longhouse Poet
Promised plenty as a novice chaser last season but has yet to really show he’s an out and out stayer, being pulled-up on his t [...]
Minella Indo
Arrives here with one of the highest profiles of the lot, having won the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Has been more miss than hit since, though he ran a good trial for this when a fine fourth under a massive weight in a Cross Country race at Cheltenham in December. He could prove to have an attractive weight if he can rediscover his very best form, though that feels like a big ask at this stage of his career.
Coko Beach
Brilliant winner of this race last year who’s back to defend his crown. Will have to do so off a 13lbs higher mark٫ but proved himself a natural over these fences 12 months ago. Arrives here on the back of an excellent third in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and ought to give this a good go٫ though that looked a hard enough race and he could find one too good.
Mister Coffey
Smart chaser on his day, winning a Grade 1 contest as a novice back in 2021. Didn’t look particularly comfortable when down the field in last month’s Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and difficult to see him staying the trip on his first attempt over further than three miles.
Le Milos
Talented stayer who showed a proficiency for this kind of stamina test when winning the National Hunt Chase over three and three quarter miles back in 2022. Hasn’t really kicked on since however and will need to jump much better than when fourth behind Coko Beach in a cross country race at Punchestown in February. Could prove himself to be on a competitive weight, but has lots to prove.
Samcro
Looked as though he was going to be a runaway winner of last year’s National Hunt Chase, before falling at the second last fence. Has been carefully campaigned since but both of his efforts have been fine ones, most recently finishing second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Could prove to be flying under the radar and deserves plenty of respect, but this trip will be a step into the unknown.
Cloudy Glen
Capable of some top-class form in his earlier years, winning four Grade 1 contests over fences. Into the veteran stages of his career these days, but has flourished over the Cross Country fences at Cheltenham ⏤ twice winning that race at the Festival. The weather robbed him of his hat-trick bid last month but he will arrive here fit and cant be ruled out off 3lbs lower than when third in 2022, for all that he unseated his rider 12 months ago.
Snow Leopardess
Solid stayer who threw his hat into the ring for this kind of race when winning a cross country event at Cheltenham in November. Has been hiked in the weights for that effort since however and doesnt always convince with his jumping, meaning that others make more appeal.
Ahoy Senor
High-class chaser who arrived here as one of the leading fancies 12 months ago٫ only to unseat at the very first fence. Put in a fair effort to finish fifth off a big weight in a cross country race at Cheltenham in December and will arrive here fit after a run over hurdles back in February. Has fallen a long way in the weight since last April and appeals as a lively each-way chance if he can get into a good jumping rhythm.
Vanillier
Talented chaser on his day, winning a Grade 2 contest at Navan back in 2022. Two of his three runs have come over hurdles this term, suggesting that this could be the target, but he’s failed to complete in three of his last five outings and has plenty to prove over fences that are rather unforgiving.
Our Power
Capable performer who rarely runs a bad race, hitting the frame in several competitive handicaps so far this term. Wasn’t so good in last month’s Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival however and while he’s a solid jumper of his fences this is his first try at further than an extended three and a quarter miles.
Envoi Allen
Arrives here with one of the highest profiles of the lot, having won the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Has been more miss than hit since٫ though he ran a good trial for this when a fine fourth under a massive weight in a Cross Country race at Cheltenham in December. He could prove to have an attractive weight if he can rediscover his very best form٫ though that feels like a big ask at this stage of his career.
Hill Sixteen
Talented stayer who showed a proficiency for this kind of stamina test when winning the National Hunt Chase over three and three quarter miles back in 2022. Hasnt really kicked on since however and will need to jump much better than when fourth behind Coko Beach in a cross country race at Punchestown in February. Could prove himself to be on a competitive weight, but has lots to prove.
Kitty’s Light
Looked as though he was going to be a runaway winner of last years National Hunt Chase, before falling at the second last fence. Has been carefully campaigned since but both of his efforts have been fine ones, most recently finishing second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Could prove to be flying under the radar and deserves plenty of respect, but this trip will be a step into the unknown.
Good Boy Bobby
Capable of some top-class form in his earlier years, winning four Grade 1 contests over fences. Into the veteran stages of his career these days, but has flourished over the Cross Country fences at Cheltenham ⸺ twice winning that race at the Festival. The weather robbed him of his hat-trick bid last month but he will arrive here fit and cant be ruled out off 3lbs lower than when third in 2022, for all that he unseated his rider 12 months ago.
Mr Incredible
Solid stayer who threw his hat into the ring for this kind of race when winning a cross country event at Cheltenham in November. Has been hiked in the weights for that effort since however and doesnt always convince with his jumping, meaning that others make more appeal.
Cap Du Nord
Capable of some top-class form in his earlier years, winning four Grade 1 contests over fences. Into the veteran stages of his career these days, but has flourished over the Cross Country fences at Cheltenham ⏤ twice winning that race at the Festival. The weather robbed him of his hat-trick bid last month but he will arrive here fit and cant be ruled out off 3lbs lower than when third in 2022, for all that he unseated his rider 12 months ago.
Easysland
Solid stayer who threw his hat into the ring for this kind of race when winning a cross country event at Cheltenham in November. Has been hiked in the weights for that effort since however and doesnt always convince with his jumping, meaning that others make more appeal.
Ballyshannon Rose
High-class chaser who arrived here as one of the leading fancies 12 months ago, only to unseat at the very first fence. Put in a fair effort to finish fifth off a big weight in a cross country race at Cheltenham in December and will arrive here fit after a run over hurdles back in February. Has fallen a long way in the weight since last April and appeals as a lively each-way chance if he can get into a good jumping rhythm.
Brahma Bull
Talented stayer who showed a proficiency for this kind of stamina test when winning the National Hunt Chase over three and three quarter miles back in 2022. Hasnt really kicked on since however and will need to jump much better than when fourth behind Coko Beach in a cross country race at Punchestown in February. Could prove himself to be on a competitive weight٫ but has lots to prove.
Gabrial The Gull
Looked as though he was going to be a runaway winner of last years National Hunt Chase, before falling at the second last fence. Has been carefully campaigned since but both of his efforts have been fine ones, most recently finishing second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Could prove to be flying under the radar and deserves plenty of respect, but this trip will be a step into the unknown.
Dusart
Capable of some top-class form in his earlier years, winning four Grade 1 contests over fences. Into the veteran stages of his career these days, but has flourished over the Cross Country fences at Cheltenham ⏤ twice winning that race at the Festival. The weather robbed him of his hat-trick bid last month but he will arrive here fit and cant be ruled out off 3lbs lower than when third in 2022, for all that he unseated his rider 12 months ago.
Minella Fame
Solid stayer who threw his hat into the ring for this kind of race when winning a cross country event at Cheltenham in November. Has been hiked in the weights for that effort since however and doesnt always convince with his jumping, meaning that others make more appeal.
The Big Dog
High-class chaser who arrived here as one of the leading fancies 12 months ago, only to unseat at the very first fence. Put in a fair effort to finish fifth off a big weight in a cross country race at Cheltenham in December and will arrive here fit after a run over hurdles back in February. Has fallen a long way in the weight since last April and appeals as a lively each-way chance if he can get into a good jumping rhythm.
Fastors
Talented chaser on his day, winning a Grade 2 contest at Navan back in 2022. Two of his three runs have come over hurdles this term, suggesting that this could be the target, but he’s failed to complete in three of his last five outings and has plenty to prove over fences that are rather unforgiving.
Diamond King
Capable performer who rarely runs a bad race, hitting the frame in several competitive handicaps so far this term. Wasn’t so good in last month’s Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival however and while he’s a solid jumper of his fences this is his first try at further than an extended three and a quarter miles.
Top Tip
We are paying 6 places instead of 4 (at 1/5 place terms) on all each way bets if there are 16 runners or more. TCs apply.
The 2024 Grand National is shaping up to be a thrilling contest with a diverse field of contenders. Remember to carefully consider each horse’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential for success before placing your bets. We hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge and insights you need to make informed decisions and enjoy the excitement of this iconic horse race.
