Top five tips for the Grand National: Tipstrr share their most popular bets for Aintree's big race

John Fearn
13 April 2024

After all the build-up, the big race is finally upon us and our friends at Tipstrr have run their numbers to provide us with their top five selections to land the Aintree Grand National.

16:00 - Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (4 miles 2 furlongs 74 yards)

The Aintree Festival has delivered some cracking races this week, but now it’s time for the one we’ve all been waiting for, as 34 runners line up with 4¼ miles and 30 fences lying between them and a place alongside the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll in Grand National folklore.

After a series of modifications to the race, the Aintree showpiece is not quite the lottery it used to be, but there is still plenty of each-way value to be found, and listed below are Tipstrr’s top five selections, ranked according to the number of times they were selected by Tipstrr's team of horse racing pundits:

1 Vanillier (14/1)

Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell

Winner of the Albert Bartless at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, Vanillier finished the strongest of all those finishing behind Corach Rambler a year ago, eventually just over a couple of lengths adrift.

He will line up nine pounds better off than last year’s winner this time, and he warmed up nicely for another tilt when a solid runner-up behind well-fancied National rival I Am Maximus in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse seven weeks ago.

Tip advised by Interesting Method on Tipstrr

2 Panda Boy (11/1)

Jockey: JJ Slevin
Trainer: Martin Brassil

Fifth in last year’s Irish Grand National, Panda Boy gave further proof of his staying power when chasing the re-opposing Meetingofthewaters at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, well clear of their 25 rivals.

He has since performed equally well to finish fourth of 22 over hurdles at the same venue two months ago, and he should be well suited to the challenge of Aintree for a yard that tasted Grand National glory with Numbersixvalverde back in 2006.

Tip advised by HorsesTips on Tipstrr

3 Noble Yeats (16/1)

Jockey: Harry Cobden
Trainer: Emmet Mullins

Top weight should hold no qualms for Noble Yeats, who finished fourth under a similar burden last year, 12 months after becoming the first seven-year-old to win Aintree’s showpiece since 1940.

The Emmet Mullins-trained nine-year-old has been trying his hand over hurdles this season, winning the Cleeve Hurdle in February before finishing mid-division in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

He should be there or thereabouts again this time, and jockey Harry Cobden, who has been aboard for his last two outings, has been enthusing over his prospects in his PlanetSportBet blog.

WATCH: Harry Cobden previews his Saturday Aintree rides in his PlanetSportBet blog

4 Corach Rambler (8/1)

Jockey: Derek Fox
Trainer: Lucinda Russell

Corach Rambler was a very popular winner of last year’s edition, and most of his subsequent work seems to have been geared towards a successful defence of his crown.

There was no holding back in last month’s Gold Cup tilt at Cheltenham, where he put in a great effort to finish third, and on the strength of that performance he looks to be well in at the weights here, and it would be no surprise to see him give Derek Fox and Lucinda Russell another glorious afternoon at Aintree.

Planet Sport Bet special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the Grand National and if Corach Rambler wins the race, get a £5 Free Bet!

5 Mr Incredible (11/1)

Jockey: Brian Hayes
Trainer: Willie Mullins

We perhaps should not go too overboard about this being a Willie Mullins horse, as the Master of Closutton has eight lined up in this race, of which Mr Incredible is arguably not his number one prospect.

After being placed in the 2023 Kim Muir, he was quietly fancied for last year’s National before parting company with Brian Hayes at the Canal Turn.

His runner-up spot under a big weight in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter a month ago has been his only outing this term, so don’t be surprised if this capable eight year-old is still being mentioned by the commentator as the leading contenders approach the Elbow.

Tip advised by Off The Bridle Racing on Tipstrr

The chances are, of course, that this shortlist will not make up all of the first five places, and there is usually an outsider or two that sneaks into the frame, of which the following have received some support among Tipstrr’’s each-way specialists:

Galia Des Liteaux (25/1) - Dan and Harry Skelton are in red-hot form, so write this mare off at your peril
Roi Mage (50/1) - His 12 year-year-old legs are against him, but seventh here last year, and certainly won’t lack for willing effort
The Goffer (50/1) - Lightly-raced, fifth in the Ultima, could be primed for this and should give Sean Bowen a good ride
Kitty’s Light (12/1) - Saves his best form for spring-time, and not an outsider, but what a fairytale it would be for the bottom-weight to win as a last-minute entry following Conflated’s withdrawal

All displayed prices are from PlanetSportBet and are subject to change