The Grand National is the most famous steeplechase in the world. It takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool in April, and it attracts a huge global television audience.
Here is a look at the leading contenders for this year’s renewal of the marathon race.
Corach Rambler
The racing odds for the 2024 Grand National are headed by last year’s winner Corach Rambler. He is the 4/1 favourite to replicate what he achieved 12 months ago at the Merseyside venue. The handicapper has made it tougher for the Scottish-trained horse this time as he has 11lb more weight on his back.
CORACH RAMBLER WINS THE 2023 GRAND NATIONAL 🏇 pic.twitter.com/IXDzrs9BK4
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 15, 2023
As the horse racing results show, Corach Rambler was last in action at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He finished a creditable third place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That was ideal preparation for the chaser ahead of his Grand National title defence.
Lucinda Russell’s runner has yet to prevail in four attempts this season, but the Scottish trainer will be hoping a return to Aintree will help her horse deliver his best once again. His stamina and excellent jumping, two key attributes for the race, both ensure he heads to Liverpool with a great chance of becoming a repeat winner.
I Am Maximus
Talented chaser I Am Maximus is bidding to complete a Grand National double this year as he won the Irish equivalent of the race at Fairyhouse in 2023. That contest took place over a distance of 3m5f, and Willie Mullins’ runner finished the contest strongly to score by a length.
A ❤️ affair with Fairyhouse! 🟢🟡⚪️
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 24, 2024
I Am Maximus lands another big prize @Fairyhouse as he gives weight and a thrashing to his Bobbyjo Chase rivals.
He has to be firmly in the mix for the Grand National now.@WillieMullinsNH | @jody_mcgarvey pic.twitter.com/tDHKrlQpvA
The eight-year-old prevailed at the highest level this season when he scored in the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase back in November. On his most recent appearance, he showed his liking for Fairyhouse once again, landing the Bobbyjo Chase at the Dublin-based venue.Mullins remains in contention for the British Trainers’ Championship this season, and if I Am Maximus were to land the £500,000 first prize, it would give him an excellent chance of lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
Vanillier
After their horse finished second behind Corach Rambler in 2023, connections of Vanillier will be optimistic their chaser can go one place better this year. He stayed on strongly 12 months ago to finish the 4m2f contest, coming home ahead of Gaillard Du Mesnil and Noble Yeats, who were third and fourth respectively.
The Irish horse produced his best performance of the season so far when he finished second in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse earlier this year. Although he was no match for I Am Maximus, he was clear of Minella Crooner and Fury Road when crossing the finish line.
Trainer Gavin Cromwell is having one of the best seasons of his career to date. He won the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, while in Ireland, he has been successful in some of the major races in the 2023/24 campaign.
This year’s Grand National will be the 176th renewal in history and it is the first time in history that there will be a maximum of 34 runners lining up for the race.
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