Who is going to win the Grand National? Best bets and big-price tips at Aintree

Planet Sport is on hand to take you through the runners and riders, and to hopefully steer you in the right direction as to who will be taking all the glory this weekend.

Don't forget to check out the Aintree racecards, results and live odds in the Planet Sport racing live centre.

You can also head to Planet Sport Bet to have a punt on the big race.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please note horses and jockeys are subject to change)

1. NOBLE YEATS

Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: Harry Cobden

Already in National folklore after his 50/1 win under an amateur jockey when still a novice two years ago. He came up short when taking on the best chasers in the Gold Cup last year. Fourth off a 1lb higher mark than this last season, minor honours beckon again. Planet Sport ambassador Harry Cobden gets the leg up.

Rating out of ten: 7

 

2. NASSALAM

Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn

There would be few more popular winners than him and he is in far from fairytale realms having already won the Welsh National. Handicapper has taken a firm grip by putting him up 16lb, but while he had his limitations exposed in the Gold Cup, there is every chance he will have the ground in which he thrives.

Rating out of ten: 7

 

3. COKO BEACH

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Gainford

Represents the Tiger Roll team and this nine-year-old could be their best hope. Second in the Becher Chase and ran too free in this last year. There might just be a couple with more improvement but he will love the ground.

Rating out of ten: 7

 

4. CAPODANNO

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Keith Donoghue

One of the classier runners in this year’s renewal. Was eventually pulled up before the final fence 12 months ago but that does not tell the whole story as he travelled strongly throughout. If he settles better this year should take a hand in the finish.

Rating out of ten: 8

 

5. I AM MAXIMUS

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend

Winner of last year’s Irish National, he was briefly favourite following an easy win in the Bobbyjo Chase. There is no doubting his stamina but he has more than once had his resolution called into question. Has his own way of jumping but if he takes to the task, hard not to see him being involved.

Rating out of ten: 8

 

6. MINELLA INDO

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore

Has been an incredible horse for connections, winning the Albert Bartlett and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Not the force of old, though, and his whole season was being built around the Cross Country at Cheltenham, which was abandoned. Hard to fancy strongly.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

7. CORACH RAMBLER

Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox

Last year’s winner arrives off the back of a career-best display when third in the Gold Cup. The only slight negative is just how hard a race he had there. It is one thing finishing off strongly against handicappers, quite another trying to reel in Galopin Des Champs. Still likely to play a part, however.

Rating out of ten: 9

 

8. JANIDIL

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Jody McGarvey

Has been a very good horse on his day but they tended to be over trips at around two and two and a half miles. Well beaten in his last two races and hard to see why connections think four and a quarter miles will bring out improvement.

Rating out of ten: 3

 

9. STATTLER

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Patrick Mullins

Another seemingly on the downgrade who has had his sights lowered somewhat this season. At his peak a very useful performer and was second in the Irish Gold Cup last February. More chance than most of seeing out the trip given his win in the National Hunt Chase as a novice. No fan of soft ground.

Rating out of ten: 5

 

10. MAHLER MISSION

Trainer: John McConnell Jockey: Ben Harvey

If ever a horse looked suited to Aintree this is it. Has a touch of class, still in front when falling two out in last year’s National Hunt Chase, and his prominent running style will keep him out of trouble. Second in the Coral Gold Cup when last seen, the only slight negative is his yard has been short on winners this season.

Rating out of ten: 10

 

11. DELTA WORK

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jack Kennedy

Another who had the Cross Country as his main aim having won it last year and was in the process of going well in this afterwards only to part company with his jockey on the second circuit. Third in this the year before, it is rare for a horse to win at the third attempt.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

12. FOXY JACKS

Trainer: Mouse Morris Jockey: Gavin Brouder

Has been rejuvenated this season, winning the Midlands National at Kilbeggan and a Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in November. Comes here fresh after a good run over hurdles but looks on a very harsh mark.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

13. GALVIN

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing

Still only 10 but seems to have been around forever. Another who has been down the Cross Country Chase route, he has been a Grade One contender in his youth. Came down at the first last year. Difficult to know what ability remains and likes a sound surface.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

14. FAROUK D’ALENE

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Donagh Meyler

A classy novice in the 2021-22 season, he had over 600 days off before returning in November. Ran well over hurdles at Christmas but pulled up at Cheltenham, also over hurdles. Hard to make a case for him.

Rating out of ten: 4

 

15. ELDORADO ALLEN

Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell

Has been a great servant to connections winning three Grade Twos, but just comes up short against the best. Fourth in the Coral Gold Cup but is carrying 3lb more than he should be such is his regression.

Rating out of ten: 4

 

16. AIN’T THAT A SHAME

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: David Maxwell

Won one of Ireland’s most competitive handicaps last time out. Subsequently bought by owner David Maxwell, who also rides his own horses. Amateur jockeys have won the National before but the affable Maxwell will need everything to go right.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

17. VANILLIER

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Sean Flanagan

Second last year when ridden like connections thought he was a handicap good thing. In any other year the way he finished proved he probably was, unfortunately for them Corach Rambler was in the race. That may have been his best chance as he was easily brushed aside by I Am Maximus recently.

Rating out of ten: 7

 

18. MR INCREDIBLE

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Brian Hayes

Mercurial and talented enough to play a part but will he take the atmosphere, big field and unique challenge for a second time? If we knew he’d probably be half the price. Was going well enough last year when his saddle slipped but horses like him tend to only do different things once.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

19. RUN WILD FRED

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Tom Hamilton

Well fancied for this two years ago but failed to complete behind Noble Yeats. It is a long time since he has shown any worthwhile form having missed the whole of last season and quite easy to dismiss.

Rating out of ten: 3

 

20. LATENIGHTPASS

Trainer: Tom Eliis Jockey: Gina Andrews

Has won over the fences before but at a much lower level. Trainer has taken out a professional licence so he can run in his name but this 11-year-old looks on a stiff enough mark.

Rating out of ten: 5

 

21. MINELLA CROONER

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Kevin Sexton

Bits and pieces of form that would make him interesting but you would need to be a forgiving type now based on his last two efforts.

Rating out of ten: 4

 

22. ADAMANTLY CHOSEN

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe

There will be worse outsiders than this one. Second in Grades Ones as a novice, he had struggled in handicaps earlier in the season before being stepped up in trip which he saw out well last time out. The better the ground the better his chance.

Rating out of ten: 8

 

23. MAC TOTTIE

Trainer: Peter Bowen Jockey: James Brown

Absolutely loves it here and has two wins over the National course to his name. However, he has another circuit to contend with this time and it is likely he will be running on fumes by the Melling Road.

Rating out of ten: 4

 

24. CHEMICAL ENERGY

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Danny Gilligan

Based on his second in the National Hunt Chase last season you would give him a chance but since then he has only run twice and one of those saw him pulled up in the Irish National. Not disgraced on sole start this season. Dark horse.

Rating out of ten: 7

 

25. LIMERICK LACE

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: tbc

One of the class acts in the race and one the handicapper would like to give another 6lb to if he had his time again based on her Cheltenham win. That was over two and a half miles, though, and was seemingly outstayed when second in the Troytown.

Rating out of ten: 7

 

26. MEETINGOFTHEWATERS

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Mark Walsh

Has one big handicap to his name already this season when winning at Leopardstown over Christmas but that was off a low mark. Only third at Cheltenham off his new one and this is tougher still but shapes like a stayer.

Rating out of ten: 7

 

27. THE GOFFER

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sean Bowen

His season was built around a second crack at the Ultima and while he ran a very respectable race to finish fifth, was ultimately beaten a long way and looks in the grip of the handicapper.

Rating out of ten: 5

 

28. ROI MAGE

Trainer: Patrick Griffin Jockey: James Reveley

Ran a stormer at big odds last year when still in with a chance at the second-last but ultimately failed to see out the trip. Seems to have retained all of his ability despite being 12 but difficult to see him finishing much closer.

Rating out of ten: 5

 

29. GLENGOULY

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Mikey O'Sullivan

Second in two big handicaps already this season but disappointed at Cheltenham and still only has one win over fences to his name. With stamina doubts thrown in, the stable has much better chances elsewhere.

Rating out of ten: 4

 

30. GALIA DES LITEAUX

Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton

Has probably not quite achieved what connections hoped she might this season but as a result she now looks well handicapped on her best form. Her best run came over the longest trip she has tackled and if she stays in touch will be staying on.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

31. PANDA BOY

Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: JJ Slevin

Has been touted for this for some time and hails from a shrewd stable who have won this before. Second to a well-treated rival at Christmas and caught the eye over hurdles last time out. Player.

Rating out of ten: 8

 

32. EKLAT DE RIRE

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe

Lightly-raced individual who looked promising in his younger days but has struggled to stay fit. Disappointed at Cheltenham and hard to have much faith.

Rating out of ten: 3

 

33. CHAMBARD

Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Lucy Turner

Won the Becher Chase which was run in attritional conditions but that race appears to have left a mark. Has struggled to get involved since and his backers are banking on a return to these fences sparking him back to life.

Rating out of ten: 4

 

34. KITTY’S LIGHT

Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Jack Tudor

One of the rare feel-good stories in this year’s race. Won the Eider, Bet365 Gold Cup and Scottish National last spring and not surprisingly has struggled off higher marks since. No doubt he will stay but only small.

Rating out of ten: 6

 

Grand National 2024 winner's verdict:

A major talking point has been the lack of the UK challenge but they still have the favourite in Corach Rambler, who should be in the frame given he ran his best race ever last time out in the Gold Cup.

The much fresher Mahler Mission ran a blinder at Newbury when last seen, is a safe jumper and stays well, so could be a better option for your money.

I Am Maximus is a hard one to weigh up as he is extremely talented but sometimes does his best not to win. He may sulk but if he takes to it has the class to go close while stablemate Adamantly Chosen is more difficult to weigh up and looks overpriced.

Don't ignore Galvin, who unseated in this race at the first last year, but that was probably more to do with the long delay to the start of the race caused by protests than by his jumping ability. 

The Gordon Elliott-trained 10-year-old is a class act and appears to get in here off a reasonable weight. He should still be galloping when many are running on empty and if able to enjoy a clear round and still be in touch approaching the last, he will have a real shout of coming through to win the race.

Suggested bet: Galvin each-way in the Randox Grand National

 

Best Grand National each-way chances

As an 11-year-old, Latenightpass is at the upper end of the age range of previous winners, but he has only had eight chase runs, winning four of them, with the additional plus of having already won over the National fences. 

Dan Skelton’s charge has already won over an extended trip with a successful run over the cross-country course at Cheltenham’s December meeting, and his jumping and stamina means he has to pose a threat here.

Ain’t That A Shame finished down the field in the National last season, but at least now knows what the experience is like, as he jumps well and has won at Grade 3 level so has a decent amount of ability.

Rachael Blackmore has picked Minella Indo instead of Ain’t That A Shame, so that might be a clue, but still worth an each-way punt.

Suggested bet: Ain’t That A Shame each-way in the Randox Grand National