2024 Grand National runner-by-runner guide
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Ahead of tomorrow’s race one of the biggest events in the horse racing calendar, Coral presents its Grand National runner-by-runner guide, giving punters an insight into each horse competing in this weekend’s race.
Coral’s runner-by-runner Grand National guide
1. Noble Yeats
Won this off a whopping 18lb lower mark two years ago, and ran a solid race again off this sort of mark when fourth last year. Has been running well in graded company over hurdles this year, and while there’s every chance that he’ll hit the frame once again, it would be a surprise if there weren’t a few better treated rivals. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Nassalam
Put up two massive performances this year to win the Welsh National Trial before going on to make a mockery of the main event at Chepstow in December. The ground was desperate that day, so conditions shouldn’t be any problem for him this weekend, but has since pulled-up in the Gold Cup, and he’s now 16lb higher in the weights than when winning the Welsh equivalent, so that could be enough to make life difficult. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Coko Beach
Has been a revelation this season winning the Troytown before going on to win over the cross country course at Punchestown in February. Couldn’t completely rule out on this year’s form, but he failed to complete in this last year, and when he did finish in 2022, he was 66-lengths behind the eventual winner, so it’s easy enough to look elsewhere. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️
4. Capodanno
Has taken his form to a new level this season, first when winning the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, and then when running an admirable race to finish third over an inadequate trip in the Ryanair Chase at the festival. Did pull-up in this race last year, but turns up in better form this time around, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he was on the premises. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. I Am Maximus
Was an impressive winner of the Irish Grand National as a novice last year, and has shown he can hold his own at the highest level on a few occasions this year. An impressive winner of the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, and providing his stamina lasts over this longer trip, then he looks set to run a big race. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. Minella Indo
Won the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and has plenty of high-class form to his name over the years. Has looked a little on the decline at times this season, so while he could show up well for a long way, would be a surprise if he wasn’t vulnerable to some younger legs. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. Corach Rambler
Was an impressive winner of this race 12 months ago, and his third in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup ensures he comes here in excellent form. 13lb higher mark makes life more difficult, but he relished this test last year, and he looks set to run another big race in 2024. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8. Janidil
Good horse on his day, but vast majority of his form has come over a much shorter trip, and he’s not the best jumper either, so readily passed over for this. Verdict – ⭐️
9. Stattler
Won the 2022 National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but he’s failed to really go on from that, and he’s yet to get his head in front since. Not been in the best of form so far this season, and while he should have no problem staying the trip, he doesn’t look particularly well treated. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
10. Mahler Mission
Would have probably won last year’s National Hunt Chase had he not come down at two out, and although he hasn’t won since, has run some good races in defeat this season. Was an excellent second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury back in December, and this has been the plan all along, so arriving here as a fresh horse, he has an outstanding chance. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
11. Delta Work
Cross country specialist nowadays, but didn’t disgrace himself in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan back in February. Did unseat his rider when fancied for this last year, but conditions shouldn’t be a problem, and granted a clear round, he might not be far away. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
12. Foxy Jacks
Another who’s been plying his trade in cross country races of late, and he was an impressive winner at Cheltenham in that discipline back in November. 8lb higher mark to contend with now, and it would be a surprise if he was up to winning a race like this off that mark. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️
13. Galvin
A very classy operator on his day, underlined by his win in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown back in 2021. Has always indicated he’d be an ideal type for this race, but didn’t get past the first fence last year, and with the majority of his form coming on better ground, conditions are unlikely to be in his favour. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
14. Farouk D’Alene
Has some decent form on heavy ground, but his form has been very patchy this year. Did run well over hurdles at Leopardstown two starts ago, but pulled-up in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival last month, and it would be a surprise were he to be involved at the business end. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️
15. Eldorado Allen
Classy on his day, but all of his wins over fences have come on better ground. Never indicated that he’d appreciate this marathon trip either, so with the majority of his best form coming over two miles, he’d be a very doubtful stayer. Verdict – ⭐️
16. Ain’t That A Shame
Was well backed for this last year, and despite travelling well for a while, he didn’t see the trip out. No reason why that should be any different this time round, and David Maxwell taking over from Rachael Blackmore wouldn’t be a positive either. Verdict – ⭐️
17. Vanillier
Ran an absolute stormer to finish second in this last year, and he now gets a 9lb pull in the weights with Corach Rambler, so he’s certainly weighted to go well again if in anything like the same form. Has form on testing ground too, so looks set for another massive run this time around. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
18. Mr Incredible
Has plenty of letters in his form, including when unseating in this last year, but was a good second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last month. Very lightly-raced, and does have form on testing ground, so wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he showed up well. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
19. Run Wild Fred
Fell when fancied for this two years ago, and has failed to complete in three of his five starts this season. Stays well and has some good form on heavy ground, but definitely up against it on recent form. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️
20. Latenightpass
Has really made a name for himself in cross country races over the last couple of years, and won in good fashion over the banks at Cheltenham back in December. Would have preferred better ground, but this 11-y-o is definitely capable of outrunning his odds if getting into a good rhythm. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
21. Minella Crooner
Did always shape like he’d appreciate marathon trips, but that really hasn’t proven to be the case as he’s failed to complete whenever he’s gone further than three miles. Pulled-up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month, and he’d certainly be a surprise winner. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️
22. Adamantly Chosen
First go over further than three miles when an impressive winner at Down Royal last time with Roi Mage back in second. Usually comes up short at this sort of level, but not without a chance of hitting the frame if everything falls right for him. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
23. Mac Tottie
Loves it here, and shown a real liking for these fences winning both the Grand Sefton and the Topham. Stamina not assured for this trip on this ground, but could well outrun his odds if seeing it out well enough. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
24. Chemical Energy
Was a good second in last year’s National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but only seen twice since, and has disappointed both times. Could be well handicapped on his best form, but this will be a big ask on his first start since September. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️
25. Limerick Lace
Stayed on well to win the Mares’ Chase at the Festival last month, and bids to become the first mare in over 70 years to win this. She’s clearly going the right way, but her stamina can only be taken on trust for this assignment. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
26. Meetingofthewaters
Excellent third when well fancied for the Ultima last month, and had a few of these well behind when winning at Leopardstown over Christmas. Another for whom stamina does have to be taken on trust, but if he does see it out, then he’d have to have a massive chance. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
27. The Goffer
Disappointed when sent off favourite for the Ultima last time, but has some very smart handicap form to his name. Might not want the ground absolutely bottomless, but wouldn’t be a huge shock if he showed up well for a long way. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
28. Roi Mage
Really took to this when finishing 7th last year when just getting tired late on. This deeper ground won’t help in that regard, but this veteran could go well if getting into a similar rhythm. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
29. Glengouly
Cracking second in the Thyestes in January, but well beaten in The Plate at Cheltenham last month. Doesn’t look particularly well treated, nor does he look like he wants to go this far. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️
30. Galia Des Liteaux
Another mare bidding to become the first to win the Grand National in over 70 years. Has been running well all year, and has some very good form to her name in staying chases. Was keeping on in the Classic Chase at Warwick in February, so there’s definitely a chance she’ll take to this test. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
31. Panda Boy
Started the season off quietly, but ran a cracker behind Meetingofthewaters at Leopardstown over Christmas. This has been the plan ever since, and ran a lovely prep for this over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival, so can go well off his light weight. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
32. Eklat De Rire
Lightly raced over the last few years, and pulled-up in last month’s Ultima behind Chianti Classico. Nearly three years since his last win, and would be a massive shock if he ended that losing run here. Verdict – ⭐️
33. Chambard
Another who ran in the Ultima last month, but was ultimately beaten 42-lengths in 8th place. Pulled-up in his first go over a marathon trip in the Welsh National in December, and don’t suspect he’ll fare much better here. Verdict – ⭐️
34. Kitty’s Light
Has won the Scottish Grand National as well as the Eider Chase, so stamina is no issue for him, and this has been the plan for some time. Yet to fall in his 35 career starts, so jumping looks assured too, but wouldn’t have minded slightly better ground. Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Coral’s Verdict
- Mahler Mission
- Vanillier
- I Am Maximus
- Latenightpass
How to watch 2024 Grand National
Horse racing fans in the UK will be able to watch the Grand National this year on ITV. The broadcaster has had the rights for the race since 2017, with it previously being aired on Channel 4 and the BBC. Racing TV will also be broadcasting the race.
Just as was the case for Cheltenham Festival last month, former Sky Sports host Ed Chamberlin is the lead presenter for ITV’s coverage of the Grand National, where he’ll be joined by a host of expert pundits and commentators.
All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
