Pinstickers’ Guide for Saturday’s (5:15pm – April 15th) Randox Health Grand National 2023!
We’ve produced a runner-by-runner guide for all the horses running in the big Aintree race.
If you want to check the latest odds (click here), you can also view our tips for the National.
A full guide to the race and fences is available here.
No.1 ANY SECOND NOW
Trainer: Ted Walsh | Jockey: Mark Walsh
Having secured a place in the last two Nationals, Any Second Now has seen an increase of 8lb since finishing second to Noble Yeats. Worth noting he battled to the end and loves this course.
No.2 NOBLE YEATS
Trainer: Emmet Mullins | Jockey: Sean Bowen
Despite a huge increase of 19lb in weight, last year’s winner, Noble Yeats, remains a contender following a good run and fourth-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
No.3 GALVIN
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Davy Russell
Second to Delta Work in the Glenfarclas Chase and has plenty of stamina but the weight could hamper his chances.
No.4 FURY ROAD
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
A Grade 1 winner and on relatively good form but the distance will be his biggest challenge.
No.5 THE BIG DOG
Trainer: Peter Fahey | Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Third in the Welsh National but jumping issues showed in the Irish Gold Cup.
No.6 CAPODANNO
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Danny Mullins
Doesn’t tick a lot of boxes. Too young, too heavy and lacks experience at this distance.
No.7 DELTA WORK
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Third last year and won the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham. Will carry less weight but needs to improve on stamina.
No.8 SAM BROWN
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball | Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Has won at Aintree and with a recent wind operation may arrive in better form than the season suggests so far.
No.9 LIFETIME AMBITION
Trainer: Jessica Harrington | Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
4th in the Grand Sefton at Aintree but otherwise is lacking proven stamina at longer distances.
No.10 CAREFULLY SELECTED
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Michael O’Sullivan
The ground will suit but little else to suggest that he could win this race.
No.11 COKO BEACH
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Harry Cobden
8th place finish last year and a 3m4f win last time boosted his case.
No.12 LONGHOUSE POET
Trainer: Martin Brassil | Jockey: JJ Slevin
Was doing well last year until weakening from two out to finish in sixth place. A win last time has boosted his chances.
No.13 GAILLARD DU MESNIL
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Paul Townend
This horse secured a third-place finish in the 2022 Irish National and went on to win the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Also the pick of leading jockey Paul Townend which is a good sign.
No.14 DARASSO
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien | Jockey: Luke Dempsey
Although there is still room for improvement, it’s worth noting that this horse has performed well in the last six starts, with three runs over 2m6f and 3m that have been consistently good.
No.15 LE MILOS
Trainer: Dan Skelton | Jockey: Harry Skelton
Well fancied after a significant 3m2f race win at Newbury, although there are some doubts regarding stamina. An intriguing prospect.
No.16 ESCARIA TEN
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Adrain Heskin
Ran out of steam last year and seasonal form doesn’t suggest any improvement this time around.
No.17 THE BIG BREAKAWAY
Trainer: Joe Tizzard | Jockey: Brendan Powell
Great second place finish in the Welsh National but one swallow does not make a Summer.
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No.18 CAPE GENTLEMAN
Trainer: JJ Hanlon | Jockey: Jody McGarvey
The owner’s Great-grandfather owned the 1923 winner, could another victory be on the family cards? Unfortunately, not much suggests it is.
No.19 ROI MAGE
Trainer: Patrick Griffin | Jockey: Felix De Giles
A couple of good wins at Down Royal but fails to sparkle when running anywhere else.
No.20 DIOL KER
Trainer: Noel Meade | Jockey: Kieren Buckley
Anything beyond 3m and Diol Ker just runs out of steam, the 2023 Grand National is unlikely to be any different.
No.21 A WAVE OF THE SEA
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien | Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald
Hardly ticks a single box and is a much better performer at half the distance of this race.
No.22 MINELLA TRUMP
Trainer: Donald McCain | Jockey: Theo Gillard
Has won twice at 3m when carrying a lot more weight and the McCain’s know how to train Grand National winners. Debatable whether Minella Trump will be one of them.
No.23 VANILLIER
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell | Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Narrowly beaten by Kemboy last time out and does have potential. Distance and stamina may prove too much.
No.24 VELVET ELVIS
Trainer: Thomas Gibney | Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
This horse’s sixth-place finish in the 2022 Irish National demonstrated their ability to handle 3m5f races, and they have since bounced back to form with two impressive outings.
No.25 AIN’T THAT A SHAME
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Watch the odds plummet as Rachael blackmore will be onboard. Ground will suit but stamina unproven.
No.26 CORACH RAMBLER
Trainer: Lucinda Russell | Jockey: Derek Fox
10lbs well in and a back-to-back winner in the Ultima at Cheltenham.
No.27 ENJOY D’ALLEN
Trainer: Ciaran Murphy | Jockey: Simon Torrens
Unseated last year and nothing to suggest better form this season.
No.28 MR INCREDIBLE
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Brian Hayes
Has the stamina but also a chequered past that includes refusing to race. Temperment will determine if he runs well.
No.29 MISTER COFFEY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson | Jockey: Nico De Boinville
Beaten last time out by Gaillard Du Mesnil and is still looking for his first win.
No.30 CLOUDY GLEN
Trainer: Venetia Williams | Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Was out for a year and with only two seasonal races, this may be beyond him.
No.31 HILL SIXTEEN
Trainer: Sandy Thomson | Jockey: Ryan Mania
Pulled up in the Welsh, unseated in the Scottish and last, last time out.
No.32 GABBYS CROSS
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Jockey: Peter Carberry
Is facing an uphill battle in this race with little to suggest he would even go the whole distance.
No.33 RECITE A PRAYER
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Jack Foley
The ground will go against him as he’s the sort to slug it out in the mud. Will need more than a prayer for this race.
No.34 EVA’S OSKAR
Trainer: Tim Vaughan | Jockey: Alan Johns
Weakened towards the end of the Eider Chase but has proven stamina that’s a lot better than many other running.
No.35 OUR POWER
Trainer: Sam Thomas | Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Good form reflected in the odds and has plenty of fans. Just never really been tested beyond 3m.
No.36 DUNBOYNE
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Jack Tudor
Has already refused to race this season which is never a good sign. Redeemed himself with a 4th place at Cheltenham.
No.37 FRANCKY DU BERLAIS
Trainer: Peter Bowen | Jockey: Ben Jones
Has run in the Grand Sefton, Tpham and Becher at Aintree but current form is sketchy at best.
No.38 FORTESCUE
Trainer: Henry Daly | Jockey: Hugh Nugent
Unseated in this race last year and pulled up in the Coral Welsh National.
No.39 BACK ON THE LASH
Trainer: Martin Keighley | Jockey: Adam Wedge
Ticks more boxes than you think and is 3lbs wellwith proven proficiency over the 3m6f Cheltenham cross-country course. Soft ground may be an issue.
No.40 BORN BY THE SEA
Trainer: Paul Gilligan | Jockey: Philip Enright
No form beyond 3m1f, was 150-1 last time out at Cheltenham and was well beaten in that race.
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