GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS & ODDS 2023
Weight Worries
In the last 10 years just three winners carried more than 11st. None carried top weight.
2023 GRAND NATIONAL RESULT
5th, 6th & 7th Places E/W with selected bookmakers.
1st. CORACH RAMBLER
2nd. Vanillier
3rd. Gaillard Du Mesnil
4th. Noble Yeats
5th. The Big Dog
6th. Born By The Sea
The majority of bookmakers will payout each-way bets places to 4th, some payout to 5th and 6th place. Please check with your bookmakers for full details.
The 2023 Grand National will be held at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 15th at 5.15pm. The Randox Health sponsored race is a steeplechase run over 4 miles 514 yards with 30 jumps over two circuits of the course.
The prize fund for the Grand National is £1,000,000 which makes it the most valuable jump race in Europe. 600 million people will watch the race in over 140 countries with more than 70,000 in attendance at Aintree on the day.
40 horses and their jockeys will line-up in what is the ultimate test in British horse racing. The Grand National course has much larger fences than normal. The Chair, Valentine’s Brook, Foinavon, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn are just some of the famous fences that runners and rider need to navigate in the race.
Which horse will you be cheering on? Check out our full guide to all the Grand National 2023 runners – Click Here
GAILLARD DU MESNIL
Gaillard du Mesnil finished in third place five times from five starts over the big fences. But after a decent season, including a win at Leopardstown, he came good again at Cheltenham, winning the National Hunt Chase. The Willie Mullins horse has a lively chance.
NO: 13 | FORM: 3-2131 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | JOCKEY: Paul Townend | TRAINER: W. Mullins
CORACH RAMBLER
The two-time winner of the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham is the current favourite for the Grand National. But will this rambler go the distance at Aintree? The handicapper has given him every chance, but doubts remain over how he’ll take to the marathon Aintree trip.
NO: 26 | FORM: U1-541 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: Derek Fox | TRAINER: L. Russell
DELTA WORK
Delta Work went off as a 10/1 shot for the National last year but was bested on the day, finishing third. However, he is a top-notch chaser who won the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham for the second year in a row, and I can see him working his way into the frame at Aintree.
NO: 7 | FORM: 3-1361 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 11-04 | JOCKEY: Keith Donoghue | TRAINER: G. Elliott
AIN’T THAT A SHAME
It’s a shame about his lack of experience, only seven outings over the Chase fences. However, he’s shown some promise in those races, notably when finishing second behind The Big Dog in the Munster National in October.
NO: 25 | FORM: 20-241 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: Rachael Blackmore | TRAINER: H. De Bromhead
MR INCREDIBLE
Moved to Willie Mullins in November and was unlucky to be brought down in his first run for the yard. Redeemed himself at Warwick with a second-place finish and a third place in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Not incredible form, but not bad either. A super performance could see him flying into the places.
NO: 28 | FORM: RP-B23 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: Brian Hayes | TRAINER: W. Mullins
NOBLE YEATS
Noble Yeats ripped up the form book last year when he became the first seven-year-old to win the Grand National since Bogskar in 1940. The handicapper has somewhat hampered his chances this year, but he continues to improve with age and should put in a noble effort.
NO: 2 | FORM: -P1134 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 11-11 | JOCKEY: Sean Bowen | TRAINER: E. Mullins
THE BIG DOG
Made a great start to the season winning back-to-back races at Limerick (Munster National) and Navan (Troytown Handicap Chase) and was then 3rd in the Coral Welsh National. Ticked a lot of boxes until his recent tumble in the Irish Gold Cup.
NO: 5 | FORM: 6-113F | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 11-05 | JOCKEY: Aidan Coleman | TRAINER: P. Fahey
ANY SECOND NOW
After a third-place finish in the 2021 Grand National and a second-place finish in 2022, many wonder if 2023 will be his year. Standing in his way is top weight which no horse has won off since Red Rum in 1974.
NO: 1 | FORM: 12-241 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-12 | JOCKEY: Mark Walsh | TRAINER: T. Walsh
LE MILOS
Started the season well by winning at Bangor and then scored a big win in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury when he beat this years Grand National favourite Corach Rambler. This young horse is shaping up to be quite the chaser and could be worthy of consideration given his price and light treatment from the handicapper.
NO: 15 | FORM: 14-112 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-11 | JOCKEY: Harry Skelton | TRAINER: D. Skelton
CAPODANNO
Usually 7-year-olds don’t fair well in the Grand National. However, in 2022, a seven-year-old named Noble Yeats shocked the racing world by taking the top prize. Could another young horse be ready to repeat this feat? His big weight and relative lack of experience might count against him this year.
NO: 6 | FORM: 2U4-13 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 11-05 | JOCKEY: Danny Mullins | TRAINER: W. Mullins
GALVIN
Fourth in the Gold Cup in 2022, and has had a mixed bag this season but came good to finish second, behind Delta Work, in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham. He will have to overcome a big weight to make an impression in the race.
NO: 3 | FORM: -61462 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 11-11 | JOCKEY: Davy Russell | TRAINER: G. Elliott
OUR POWER
A winner last time out at Kempton, Our Power has two wins under his belt this season and plenty of fans. If he takes to the fences he could well power to a place.
NO: 35 | FORM: 135-11 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: S. Twiston-Davies | TRAINER: S. Thomas
VANILLIER
A decent chaser but not having the best season, falling and coming last in two of his four races. On the plus side, he does have bags of stamina, and will carry low weight.
NO: 23 | FORM: -636F2 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Sean Flanagan | TRAINER: G. Cromwell
BACK ON THE LASH
This cross-country specialist should have no problems with the fences and distance. He’ll carry one of the lightest loads in the race. He’s the kind of horse to give each-way backers plenty to cheer.
NO: 39 | FORM: -9231P | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Adam Wedge | TRAINER: M. Keighley
LONGHOUSE POET
Longhouse Poet came in 6th place last year and, despite a little blip in form this season, has bounced back and could give backers reasons to wax lyrical on Grand National day.
NO: 12 | FORM: -P16U1 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | JOCKEY: JJ Slevin | TRAINER: M. Brassil
ROI MAGE
Regularly runs at longer distances than many of his competitors here. He’s been in the money 23 times from 38 chase starts. Could challenge for a top 6 place but is unlikely to win it.
NO: 19 | FORM: 7-33F2 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | JOCKEY: Felix De Giles | TRAINER: P. Griffin
LIFETIME AMBITION
This runner has only placed outside the top four once in his career. His 4th place in the Grand Sefton at Aintree in November confirms his ability to handle the Grand National fences. However, rarely gets tested beyond 3 miles, so stamina could be an issue.
NO: 9 | FORM: 242343 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 11-03 | JOCKEY: Sean O’Keeffe | TRAINER: J. Harrington
VELVET ELVIS
His season began on a disappointing note, as he failed to finish in two consecutive races. In his last two outings, he’s displayed a marked improvement in form. However, the marathon Aintree trip looks beyond his range.
NO: 24 | FORM: -0PP12 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Darragh O’Keeffe | TRAINER: T. Gibney
COKO BEACH
Finished 8th in the National last year but struggled to make an impact. Won recently at Punchestown in the Irish Grand National Trial and if there’s a bit of give in the ground at Aintree, he could be worth a punt.
NO: 11 | FORM: 8-9441 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | JOCKEY: Harry Cobden | TRAINER: G. Elliott
FURY ROAD
Fury Road has an impressive track record, having come in first twice and placing in six of his ten chase starts. Unfortunately, the race distance and weight he’s carrying could hamper his chances.
NO: 4 | FORM: -31336 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 11-06 | JOCKEY: Jonjo O’Neill Jnr | TRAINER: G. Elliott
MISTER COFFEY
He has yet to win from his eight chase starts (neither did Rule The World), but his 3rd place finish at Cheltenham in the National Hunt Challenge Cup indicates real potential. Could be the dark horse in this year’s National.
NO: 29 | FORM: 20-223 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: Nico De Boinville | TRAINER: N. Henderson
THE BIG BREAKAWAY
The Big Breakaway will need a big slice of luck to make an impression. Lightly raced in the past two seasons, he was 2nd in the Welsh National before taking his chances in the Ultima at Cheltenham, where he pulled up having never really got going.
NO: 17 | FORM: 3P-22P | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-10 | JOCKEY: Brendan Powell | TRAINER: J. Tizzard
ENJOY D’ALLEN
Unseated his rider in last year’s race, so connections then took him to the Irish National, where he finished in 9th place. Nothing since then indicates that a better performance is on the cards this year.
NO: 27 | FORM: 9-0006 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-05 | JOCKEY: Simon Torrens | TRAINER: C. Murphy
DUNBOYNE
Shows the odd glimpse of potential, like when he was beaten by a head in the Goffs Theyestes in January, but hard to back a horse that refused to run as recently as November and pulled up in December at Fairyhouse.
NO: 36 | FORM: 6R1P24 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Jack Tudor | TRAINER: G. Elliott
EVA’S OSKAR
Despite the long odds, Eva’s Oskar is definitely not out of the running. More than capable of going the distance, the grey was 4th last time out at Newcastle in the Eider Chase (4m1f), carrying top weight. In the National, Eva’s Oskar will carry one of the lowest loads and could be a great option to consider for an each-way bet.
NO: 34 | FORM: -62164 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Alan Johns | TRAINER: T. Vaughan
MINELLA TRUMP
Form shows an impressive 11 wins or places out of 12 steeplechase starts. However, the majority of these races featured horses far less competitive than those who will show up to Aintree. On the plus side, he’s lightly treated by the handicapper, and trainer Donald McCain Jnr knows a thing or two about Grand National winners.
NO: 22 | FORM: 121-17 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Theo Gillard | TRAINER: D. McCain
HILL SIXTEEN
Pulled up in the Welsh National (2021), unseated in the Scottish (2022), and while he completed the Becher Chase in December over the National fence, was never really in contention.
NO: 31 | FORM: 2U-370 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Ryan Mania | TRAINER: S. Thomson
GABBY’S CROSS
Gabby’s Cross has never won at more than 2m6f and just about made 3rd place last time out at 3 miles. On that showing, the Grand National could be pushing him beyond his limits.
NO: 32 | FORM: 515683 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Peter Carberry | TRAINER: H. De Bromhead
BORN BY THE SEA
The only people backing this horse are those who were actually born by the sea as a nod to the name only. There’s a reason he went off at 150/1 last time out at Cheltenham!
NO: 40 | FORM: 353050 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Philip Enright | TRAINER: P. Gilligan
SAM BROWN
Won a Chase at Aintree last year, but that was his last success. Not shown any real form this season so far and doesn’t look likely to be in contention here.
NO: 8 | FORM: 1-35P5 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-04 | JOCKEY: Jonathan Burke | TRAINER: A. Honeyball
CAREFULLY SELECTED
Was out of commission for nearly three years before returning this season. His first race back was a warm up before he won at Gowran Park in the Goffs Thyestes. Lack of racing makes him a difficult horse to assess.
NO: 10 | FORM: 1U/014 | AGE: 11 | WEIGHT: 11-01 | JOCKEY: Michael O’Sullivan | TRAINER: W. Mullins
A WAVE OF THE SEA
The youngster has tonnes of experience with 21 chase starts under his belt. However, none at more than three miles. Ran at Cheltenham in March but pulled up in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup. Not the most fluent jumper, which is a concern at Aintree.
NO: 21 | FORM: 64P03P | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | JOCKEY: Shane Fitzgerald | TRAINER: J. O’Brien
CLOUDY GLEN
From the late Trevor Hemmings, Cloudy Glen bagged a huge win in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase in November, but it’s been a mixed bag since, with the 10-year-old pulling up last time out in the Ultima. Nevertheless, the handicapper has given him every chance, so don’t rule him out.
NO: 30 | FORM: 1P9-3P | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-04 | JOCKEY: Charlie Deutsch | TRAINER: V. Williams
FORTESCUE
Ran in the Grand National last year but unseated his rider four out, at which stage he was already being pushed along. Did come back for the Becher Chase in December when finishing 4th but then pulled up in the Coral Welsh National. Could come good on the day, but stamina may let him down.
NO: 38 | FORM: U-44P5 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Hugh Nugent | TRAINER: H. Daly
RECITE A PRAYER
One of the Mullins entries that is unlikely to make much of an impact, especially if his 12th-place finish in the Becher Chase is anything to go by. That said, he can clearly get over the fences but will need to do more than recite a prayer to have any real hope.
NO: 33 | FORM: 102300 | AGE: 8 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Jack Foley | TRAINER: W. Mullins
DIOL KER
Past results suggest he can definitely get around the course. More likely to be in the top 10 than actually win it. Will also need the ground on the softer side.
NO: 20 | FORM: 0-9220 | AGE: 9 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | JOCKEY: Kieren Buckley | TRAINER: N. Meade
DARASSO
Any horse that racks up earnings of over £470K is a force to be reckoned with; however, Darasso is yet to be tested beyond three miles, so that’s a major concern. Nevertheless, with 19 wins or places from 28 starts, he can’t be overlooked.
NO: 14 | FORM: 233154 | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-13 | JOCKEY: Luke Dempsey | TRAINER: J.P. O’Brien
FRANCKY DU BERLAIS
With a dismal season, including refusing to jump the last fence in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham and no showing for the Becher Chase in December, it’s easy to see why this horse carries such long odds.
NO: 37 | FORM: 20005R | AGE: 10 | WEIGHT: 10-02 | JOCKEY: Ben Jones | TRAINER: P. Bowen
CAPE GENTLEMAN
Not a convincing jumper and fell in the Kerry National last year, which isn’t the ideal prep for Aintree. Trainer has buoyed up his chances but big odds reflect the big risk.
NO: 18 | FORM: 92F304 | AGE: 7 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | JOCKEY: Jody McGarvey | TRAINER: JJ Hanlon
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Ratings Explained
We give each horse a rating based on how closely it matches the trends and statistics of past Grand National winners.
Unlikely to mount a serious challenge.
Could place with a slice of luck.
A strong eachway chance and could even win it.
Non Runner Money Back odds listed on this page are taken from Paddy Power on 15/04/2023. Check the odds with your Bookmaker before placing a bet as fluctuations can occur. Full Terms and Conditions for the promotional bet offers can be found on the respective websites – please read them before signing up.
Race News & Updates
Bookmakers across the UK anticipate that over £250m in bets will be staked on the 2023 Grand National from millions of customers. Only a few of those placing bets will manage to back the winner on the day. Will you be one of them?
Some people will take a punt on a tip from a friend. Others will pick a runner based on the colour of silks worn by the jockey. While more will lump on a horse for no other reason than they like the name of the horse. In fact when Rule The World won in 2016 a significant amount of people who had backed it did so because it was their favourite Take That song!
Being more strategic about your choice of a horse only involves a little extra work. Read the racing news and study the trends and statistics that have emerged over the last ten years and try to determine patterns that will help whittle down your selections.
Only three winners carried more than 10-13 in the past ten Grand Nationals and they were Tiger Roll in 2019 (11-05), Many Clouds in 2015 (11-09) and Neptune Colognes in 2012 (11-06).
Six of the last ten winners were 8 or 9 years old. Noble Yeats in 2022 at 7-years old, Pineau De Re in 2014, Auroras Encore in 2013 and and Neptune Collonges in 2012 broke that trend as they were all eleven years old.
Only one winner went off as the favourite from the last ten Grand Nationals. That was Tiger Roll in 2019 (4/1). It can be argued that racing fans actually backed jockey AP McCoy, more so than Don’t Push It when they won in 2010 as favourites. Mon Mome won on 100/1 but he was first since 1967 to do that. In fact the average odds of a winning Grand National horse are around 20/1.
Seven of the last ten winners had at least four seasonal runs before going on to win the Aintree spectacular. The only three who had less were Minella Times in 2021, One For Arthur in 2017 and Tiger Roll in 2019. They had all run three times.
Nine of the last ten winners had either won or placed in a race at least 3m or longer in the season they won the Grand National. Only one, Auroras Encore, had not won or placed on the run-up to the 2013 National.
None of the last 10 winners unseated their jockey in the season they won the Grand National.
Eight of the last ten winners had not fallen in the season they won the Grand National.
Ideally what you’re looking for is a Grand National 2023 Runner that is carrying 11-00 or less, who is 8 or 9 (2014 was the last time a horse older than that won the National).
Generally, when online betting, avoid the favourites and look for those who are priced between 14/1 and 33/1 and who have at least three seasonal runs, with extra consideration for those who have won or placed at 3 miles or more. Tiger Roll was the exception, not the rule.
Or simply tear up the stats and pick a runner because you like its name!
There are sixteen individual fences that need to be jumped in the 2023 Grand National, 14 of them twice as the race is run over two laps of the famous Aintree course.
Fence 6 & 22 – Becher’s Brook
Becher’s Brook is 5 feet high with the landing side between 6 inches and 10 inches lower than the takeoff side and is named after Captain Martin Becher who fell there in the first Grand National and took shelter in the small brook running along the landing side of the fence while the remainder of the field thundered over.
Fence 7 & 23 – Foinavon
Foinavon is 4 feet 6 inches and is one of the smallest fences on the course. It was named in 1984 after the 1967 winner who avoided a mêlée at the fence to go on and win the race at outside odds of 100/1.
Fence 8 & 24 – Canal Turn
The Canal Turn is 5 ft high and is known for it’s difficult 90-degree left turn immediately after landing. Jockey Richard Pitman said of this fence “you can win or lose a Grand National at the Canal Turn, because any length you can gain in the air is more economical than having to gallop it.”
Fence 9 & 25 – Valentine’s
Valentine’s is 5 feet high with a 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) brook and was named after a horse called Valentine who was reputed to have jumped the fence hind legs first in 1840.
Between Fences 12 & 13 – Melling Road
A famous part of the course located between fences 12 and 13 when the runners cross it near to the Anchor Bridge, a popular vantage point since the earliest days of the race.
Fence 15 – The Chair
One of the most difficult fences on the course, The Chair is 5 feet 2 inches high but is preceded by a 6 ft wide ditch and Grand National Runners only jump this once, on the first lap. The fence was originally the location where a distance judge sat in the earliest days of the race. The practise was done away with but the monument where the chair stood is still there.
Fence 16 – Water Jump
The Water Jump is 2 feet 6 inches and is the second fence that runners only jump once during the race. The Water Jump was one of the most popular jumps on the course but over the years, The Chair has overshadowed it in popularity.
Once all the fences have been jumped the runners and riders head for the home straight which is one of the longest in the United Kingdom at 494 yards and one that many potential winners have had victory snatched away!
