Corach Rambler (left) won the 2023 Grand National ahead of Vanillier
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Randox Grand National 2024 |
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Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday 13 April Time: 16:00 BST |
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Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Last year’s winner Corach Rambler is among the leading contenders for Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree.
Chambard and Run Wild Fred have been withdrawn so 32 runners are set to run at 16:00 BST.
Corach Rambler, trained in Scotland by Lucinda Russell, leads British hopes in a field dominated by Irish hopes.
Activist group Animal Rising said it will not disrupt the race after protesters entered the track and delayed last year’s by 14 minutes.
Police arrested 118 people on the day of the race last year and have stepped up security, saying anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with “robustly”.
The maximum number of contenders in the Grand National was reduced from 40 after a safety review,
Who are the Grand National favourites?
Corach Rambler, bidding to become only the second horse after Tiger Roll to win back-to-back Nationals since Red Rum in the 1970s, is among the favourites at about 7-1 with bookmakers.
The going on the National course is described as soft, good to soft in places, with some showers forecast for Saturday.
Chambard, trained by Venetia Williams, and Gordon Elliott’s Run Wild Fred were lame and taken out of the race on Saturday morning.
Approximate odds: 7-1 Corach Rambler, I Am Maximus, 9-1 Meetingofthewaters, Vanillier, 10-1 Panda Boy, Limerick Lace, 12-1 Mr Incredible, Kitty’s Light, Mahler Mission 16-1 Minella Indo, 20-1 Bar.
There are 25 Irish-trained runners, with eight for Willie Mullins and seven for Gordon Elliott.
The Mullins team includes leading fancies I Am Maximus and Meetingofthewaters, owned by JP McManus.
Irish trainers have developed a stranglehold on big jump races, winning 18 of the 27 contests at the Cheltenham Festival.
After Cheltenham, British Horseracing Authority chief executive Julie Harrington said the domination was “damaging” the sport and said more needed to be done to encourage the top horses to be bred, owned, trained and raced in Britain.
Potential headline-makers
Scottish National winner Kitty’s Light will bid to be the first Welsh-trained victor since Kirkland in 1905, for trainer Christian Williams, whose young daughter Betsy is being treated for leukaemia.
“Kitty’s Light has brought us a bit of light in tough times. We’re just privileged to have this special horse,” said Williams.
Grand National 2024: Christian Williams hopes for more Kitty’s Light cheer after dark days
Mac Tottie is another hope for Wales, with James Bowen riding for his trainer and father Peter.
Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win the Grand National when successful on Minella Times three years ago, will be aboard 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
Minella Indo would be only the third horse, and the first since L’Escargot in 1975, to complete the Gold Cup-National double.
Blackmore is one of two women riding in the race, with Gina Andrews partnering Latenightpass for husband Tom Ellis.
“For us to be taking on the likes of Gordon Elliott or Willie Mullins is a little bit bonkers – like a Sunday League player running out to play for a Premier League side in a cup final,” Ellis told BBC Sport.
Amateur jockey David Maxwell has a ride in the race after he bought Ain’t That A Shame – 17th in the National last year under Blackmore.
What are the safety changes?
Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal injury in the National last year and two other horses died at the three-day meeting.
On Friday, two more horses died on the second day of this year’s meeting.
Giovinco – a stablemate of Corach Rambler – was put down after a fall at the final fence in the opening Mildmay Novices’ Chase, while Pikar, trained by Dan Skelton, was fatally injured in a fall at the second-last in the Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle, the day’s final race.
As well as reducing the line-up, organisers have brought the National forward an hour and 15 minutes to reduce the build-up and provide safer ground for runners in case of drying conditions.
There will be a shorter run to the first fence to slow horses down.
A standing start has been reintroduced and further veterinary checks are among other changes.
Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said organisers had “spoken to people inside and outside the racing world”
Pundits’ predictions
Gina Bryce, BBC Radio 5 Live presenter
1 Mr Incredible; 2 Vanillier; 3 Panda Boy; 4 Delta Work.
If he jumps off OK from the standing start, Mr Incredible has a great chance. He was travelling sweetly last year before his saddle slipped, should love the ground and had a great prep run.
John Hunt, BBC Radio 5 Live commentator
1 Limerick Lace; 2 Mahler Mission; 3 Kitty’s Light; 4 Panda Boy.
Her form may already be enough, but this marathon distance could bring out the best in Limerick Lace, a solid jumper who is improving fast.
Gary O’Brien, Racing TV and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit
1 Capodanno; 2 Delta Work; 3 Limerick Lace; 4 Panda Boy.
You might recall I tipped Capodanno last year. He ran well for a long time before being pulled up and has had a much better preparation this time. I really like the jockey booking of Keith Donoghue.
Andrew Thornton, BBC Radio 5 Live analyst and former jockey
1 Vanillier; 2 Mahler Mission; 3 Corach Rambler; 4 Minella Indo.
Vanillier jumped well behind Corach Rambler last year and is better weighted than that rival this time. His Irish trainer has an exceptional record with horses he sends over to race in Britain.
