Aintree Grand National Preview
The Aintree Grand National is one of Europe’s most anticipated horse racing events. This year, they reduced the field from 40 runners down to 34 for the safety of the horses. Now that we are closing in on the start, who has the best chance of winning the race?
The Grand National Festival officially begins on Thursday at the Aintree Racecourse. Merseyside has been the home of the historic National Hunt horse race since 1893. There are three days of seven races during the festival, with the Grand National taking place on Saturday, April 13, at 4:00 pm. The favourite for the 2024 Grand National is Corach Rambler from Ireland. While plenty of Irish horses line up in the field this year, only one can take home the title and an enormous prize of over half a million euros.
Aintree Grand National Runners
This year, there are 34 runners in the 2024 Grand National. The organisers have taken a proactive approach after a concerning number of horse deaths at Aintree and the Grand National. They have reduced the race to 34 runners instead of 40. Hopefully, the entire field will return to the stables after the race. Plus, a smaller field should make the starting procedure more straightforward.
Even with a reduced field size, experienced punters will know there could be less than 34 runners on race day. Injuries, conditions, and dozens of unforeseeable external factors will condense the field between now and Saturday. Horses have pulled up on the way to the post, during the parade, or before the first fence.
While it’s too early to predict which horses will make it to the first fence, we can give you a complete list of Grand National runners for 2024. Remember to check here before Saturday to find out which horses have dropped out, as we keep all our horse racing predictions updated. Currently, 34 runners are scheduled for the Aintree Grand National. Below is an updated list of the latest horse racing betting odds and runners.
- Corach Rambler @ 7/1 (was 11/2)
- I Am Maximus @ 8/1
- Meeting of the Waters @ 11/1 (was 9/1)
- Vanillier @ 11/1 (was 9/1)
- Limerick Lace @ 12/1 (was 25/1)
- Kitty’s Light @ 12/1 (was 14/1)
- Panda Boy @ 12/1 (was 14/1)
- Mr Incredible @ 14/1 (was 12/1)
- Mahler Mission @ 16/1 (was 18/1)
- Minella Indo @ 20/1 (was 22/1)
- Delta Work @ 20/1 (was 33/1)
- Noble Yeats @ 25/1 (was 20/1)
- Coko Beach @ 25/1 (was 40/1)
- Galia Des Liteaux @ 28/1 (was 33/1)
- Nassalam @ 33/1 (was 20/1)
- Galvin @ 33/1 (was 40/1)
- Latenightpass @ 40/1 (was 33/1)
- Foxy Jacks @ 40/1 (was 66/1)
- Stattler @ 50/1 (was 40/1)
- Chemical Energy @ 50/1 (was 40/1)
- Capodanno @ 50/1 (was 33/1)
- Ain’t That a Shame @ 50/1 (was 66/1)
- Mac Tottie @ 50/1 (was 100/1)
- The Goffer @ 66/1
- Roi Mage @ 66/1 (was 50/1)
- Adamantly Chosen @ 66/1 (was 50/1)
- Run Wild Fred @ 66/1 (was 100/1)
- Chambard @ 66/1 (was 100/1)
- Glengouly @ 80/1 (was 66/1)
- Minella Crooner @ 80/1
- Eldorardo Allen @ 100/1
- Farouk D’Alene @ 100/1 (was 66/1)
- Eklat De Rire @ 100/1
- Janidil @ 125/1 (was 100/1)
The Grand National 2024 odds and runners are subject to change between now and the race on Saturday at 4:00 pm. Ensure you monitor the horse racing news to find out about the latest non-runners and other important Aintree events.
Aintree Grand National Going and Forecast
The heavy rainfall has softened the racecourse at Aintree, which means trickier conditions for some runners. The most recent inspection of the racecourse revealed the going was soft with heavy in places for the Grand National course. Looking at the weather forecast for the week, we should be clear of rain for most of Saturday. The showers stopped on Friday, so there is a chance for the heavy parts of the course to dry out by 4 pm on April 13th.
For any new horse racing fans, the “going” is an expression used to explain the turf-based conditions at a racecourse. This year, the Grand National course has soft going with heavy in places. These wet conditions will affect the field as some horses struggle in heavy conditions. However, several horses excel in heavy going. Below are a few runners that have performed well in soft or heavy conditions in the past 24 months.
- I Am Maximus
- Nassalam
- Delta Work
- Ain’t That A Shame
Monitor the course inspections throughout the week to get an idea of the going before the Grand National on Saturday at 16:00. A lot can change between now and the parade, so ensure you know the conditions before betting on a horse race.
There will be SIX Randox Grand National winners among the Legends parade on Saturday
🐯 Tiger Roll
🟩 Minella Times
🤩 Pineau De Re
🙌 Neptune Collonges
💯 Mon Mome
👌 Silver Birch& many more familiar faces in the @RoRlatest parade on Friday! pic.twitter.com/w7zbNephTv
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 8, 2024
Aintree Grand National Predictions
Prediction: I Am Maximus to win the 2024 Aintree Grand National
Although Corach Rambler is the favourite to win the Grand National, the going will play a big part in this year’s race. I Am Maximus will have the advantage if the going is soft or heavy. Willie Mullins saw jockey Paul Townend ride I Am Maximus to victory at the 2023 Irish Grand National on soft ground. If the rain continues to fall, we are backing I Am Maximus to win the Grand National 2024.
Our horse racing prediction this week depends on the weather. Merseyside has seen a lot of rain over the past few weeks, and this will worry certain trainers heading into the Grand National on Saturday. With more rain forecasted until Friday, the chances of the racecourse drying out remain slim. Several runners in the field enjoy softer racing conditions, but Corach Rambler is not one of them. At the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Corach Rambler finished in third position in soft going with heavy in places. The winner that day was the favourite, Galopin Des Champs, a Willie Mullins horse with jockey Paul Townend.
If the rain continues to pour and soften the racecourse, we predict the dream team of Townend and Mullins will take the win at Aintree on Saturday. Both jockey and trainer have been phenomenal in recent years, and I Am Maximus is no stranger to wet conditions. However, if the rainfall is not as heavy as predicted, then Corach Rambler is not one to overlook. Depending on how much the racecourse firms up over the next few days will drastically change the running order come April 13th.
If the course stays wet, then betting each way on outsiders like Delta Work is a great idea. Gordon Elliot’s Delta Work came third at the 2022 Grand National, a good sign heading into the weekend. Plus, Delta Work picked up a Cheltenham Cross Country win in 2022 with heavy going. Another horse to consider in heavy conditions is Nassalam. The runner trained by Gary Moore won the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow last December in heavy conditions. For these horses to be in with a chance, they need more rain before the parade on Saturday.
Aintree Grand National Betting Tips
Betting on the Grand National this year has the makings of a classic. We have a smaller field than usual, which should yield clean and safe racing. Plus, the weather is changing the going with only days until the field is at the post. Anything can happen between now and the start, so be careful when locking in your bets early. Ensure that if you bet in advance, the online betting site covers your wager in case of a non-runner.
Choosing an outright winner for the Grand National is troublesome every year. The favourites can disappoint on the day, making betting on horse racing difficult. Given the conditions and the field size, each way bets are your friend. If the conditions remain soft or heavy, four runners stand out from the field in our eyes. Betting each way on Nassalam, Delta Work, and Ain’t That A Shame seems profitable. I Am Maximus is one favourite this year. Betting on any horse trained by Willie Mullins could be a sensible option.
Depending on the weather and how much you intend to stake, there are a couple of horses not to overlook this weekend. Vanillier is up there with a chance of a top-five finish, but we predict a win is just out of Trainer Gavin Cromwell’s reach. Betting on the Grand National requires luck, and Vanillier has performed well in soft conditions recently. However, Punchestown 2021 is the horse’s last victory. Another Mullins horse to consider this weekend is Meetingofthewaters. The Bay Gelding finished 2023 with two wins in Ireland in soft going. The Irish horse has a strong possibility of being among the frontrunners at the final bend.
Depending on the weather and which horses make up the 34 runners should affect your betting strategy. Betting on the Grand National is exciting, but it remains one of the hardest events to predict. If you bet on this race, you must secure your wager before 4 pm on Saturday. Most betting sites do not support live bets once the race has started. Ensure you have your bet slip ready, and do not leave it until the dying seconds.
Anyone looking to bet online should join our sports betting service. Once you sign up, you can bet on the Grand National from your home. Plus, all new players can claim a welcome bonus this weekend. If this is your first time placing a bet on Aintree, ensure you are sensible with the size of your wagers. Even if betting on the Grand National is the only wager you place all year, reducing your stake is one of the best ways to limit your losses.
List of Non-Runners at the Grand National 2024
If you are curious about the horses who did not make the cut, check out the list below.
- Desertmore House @ 40/1
- Shakem Up’Arry @ 50/1
- Conflated @ 66/1
- Malina Girl @ 66/1
- Famous Bridge @ 66/1
- Where it all Began @80/1
- Amirite @ 80/1
- Annual Invictus @ 100/1
- Good Boy Bobby @ 100/1
- Iron Bridge @ 100/1
- Tullybeg @ 100/1
- Ontheropes @ 100/1
- Kinondo Kwetu @ 125/1
- Fakir D’Alene @ 125/1
- Frontal Assault @ 125/1
- Fury Road @ 125/1
- Tommie Beau @ 150/1
- Cepage @ 250/1
