Analysing The Leading Grand National Contenders
Wednesday 12th April 2023		 Randox Health Grand National

This year’s Grand National at Aintree looks set to be an excellent renewal, with a nice blend of highly rated chasers and upcoming stars that could take a big step forward in the marathon contest.

Here is a look at the leading contenders and their chances of success.

Corach Rambler (6/1)

Lucinda Russell’s chaser Corach Rambler is one of the popular tips for Grand National 2023 and based on his performance at the Cheltenham Festival, it is easy to see why. The Scottish-based horse is the 6/1 favourite to give his trainer a second win in the race.

His success in the 2023 Ultima Handicap Chase means the nine-year-old is 10lb well off at the weights. Russell has indicated her horse enjoys a stamina test, and we saw that up the hill in the handicap contest at the Festival.

This will be his first appearance over the Grand National fences but his jumping is normally solid, so he should not have any problems around the Grand National Course.

Noble Yeats (8/1)

Irish runner Noble Yeats excelled in the Grand National in 2022, prevailing by just over two lengths ahead of Any Second Now. He played his part in what was a great storyline as Sam Waley-Cohen, on what was his final ride in the saddle, became the first amateur jockey to win the race since 1990.

The task will be much tougher for Noble Yeats this year as his weight allocation is 15lb more than he had on his back in 2022. The fact that only two horses have defended the Grand National in the last 50 years indicates how challenging it will be.

The big positive for supporters of Noble Yeats is that he proved 12 months ago that he can stay this 4m2½f distance. He is arguably a much better horse now than the one which lined up at Aintree last April, so connections will be hopeful of a big run again.

Delta Work (9/1)

Dual Cross Country Chase winner Delta Work was third in the Grand National in 2022. He produced an excellent performance at the Cheltenham Festival last month where he outbattled his stablemate Galvin.

Delta Work has been assigned 11st 4lb this year, which is 5lb lower than he had on his back 12 months ago. That should give him a great chance of going two places better and giving his trainer Gordon Elliott a fourth win in the contest.

Any Second Now (11/1)

Last year’s Grand National runner-up Any Second Now has finished in the top three in the latest two renewals of the race. If he is to keep up that excellent record, he will need to do it from top weight this year as the handicapper has handed the Irish horse 11st 12lb.

The 11-year-old has a lot of experience around the Grand National Course, which will help. He was also victorious on his last outing when he landed the Grade Two Webster Cup Chase. Should he score this year, it will be the best weight-carrying performance since Red Rum scored in 1974 with 12st.

The Grand National is on the 15th of April at 5:15 pm GMT and it looks set to be another exciting race as these four horses make up part of a competitive field.

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