Ginger Joe - 2024 Grand National Runner-by-Runner Guide and Betting Tips

The 2024 Grand National is almost here

In just two days we’ll be watching the biggest race of the year - The 2024 Aintree Grand National.

For the first time, this year’s renewal will have a reduced field size of 34 runners, but it is still as tricky as ever, with a total of 30 challenging fences to jump over a distance of 4m 2f. Of course, there can only be one winner and to help you narrow down your selections I have put together a runner-by-runner guide pinpointing the chances of each horse, together with my verdict and predictions for the outcome.

There are two previous winners in the lineup this year and you could give both of them a chance in this year's renewal. The 2022 winner, Noble Yeats, will carry top weight,which makes it a huge task for him this time around, but he is an absolute warrior who always puts everything he’s got into his races, and there’s nothing to say he can’t win it again.

We also have last year's winner, Corach Rambler, who is this year's favourite. Winning back-to-back renewals is an honour reserved for a select few, so it will be an incredible feat if he can pull it off. He has some pretty tidy form too. Beyond his Grand National victory, Corach rambler has also won two Ultima Chases and he also finished third in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

As always, the Grand National is all set to be an absolute cracker, so be sure to get your eyes firmly fixed on your TV by 16.00 on Saturday.

Free bets for the Grand National courtesy of Ladbrokes

There’s still enough time left to grab this generous free bet deal from Ladbrokes. Bet £5, and you’ll get £20 in free bets. Even if the big race isn’t your thing, this offer is still worth having.

Noble Yeats @ 18/1

Despite running off top weight this year, 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats definitely holds place claims if he turns up in peak form. Of course, the fact that he has to give weight all round means that this is not going to be a walk in the park for him, but I fully expect him to run a big race into the places. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t love to see him win this in the face of adversity.

Nassalam @ 20/1

Welsh Grand National winner, Nassalam, has been well-supported all week and the soft conditions will definitely be in his favour. The concern for me here is that he is racing off a mark 16 lbs higher than when he won the Welsh National and that doesn’t leave him well treated compared to some others in this field. He pulled up in the Gold Cup last month, but wasn’t given a hard time, so you could put a line through that run, but I still only give him an outside chance of finishing in the places.

Coko Beach @ 33/1

Coko Beach was the really impressive winner of the Troytown Handicap Chase in November, and he backed that up with a big run in the Becher Chase finishing second to Chambard off a mark of 162. It was a really good run from Coko Beach that day on his first start over the Aintree fences and he is a stamina-assured Stayer too. Following a break, he had a run over the banks at Punchestown in February, where he won by six lengths in deep ground. I don’t think he’s our winner here, but he’s not written off for a place by any means.

Capodanno @ 25/1

Capodanno is a Grade 2 winner over fences but I’m not convinced he is ideally suited to a test at the level of the Grand National. He has won over an extended three miles, but this Aintree trip is something completely different and I have concerns about his stamina.

I Am Maximus @ 7/1

I Am Maximus is the number one hope for Willie Mullins this year and he is sure to thrive in these soft conditions. For an eight-year-old he is fairly lightly raced but has had a full campaign this season and looks very well-handicapped off a mark of 159. He beat last year’s runner up, Vanillier, by 14 lengths last time out whilst also giving him 8lbs, which looks like standout form to me. As a son of Authorized, who also sired the great Tiger Roll, I think he has exactly the right profile to win this race.

Minella Indo @ 16/1

Minella Indo won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2021 and he is a horse that really loves to race, despite being 11 years old now. He won his first start this season, then flopped in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, but he was running against three classy younger rivals and was entitled to find that one a little too much. That said, he did bounce back at Cheltenham in the November Cross Country, so coming here fresh may well work in his favour and he could easily run himself into the places.

Corach Rambler @ 5/1

Corach Rambler comes here to try and win his second Grand National on the trot. He has obvious claims, but he is also 13lbs higher in the weights this time around. Usually a hike like that would put me off, but he finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and that form makes him the one to beat again. He is a really good jumper and likes to come from off the pace, so provided everything goes smoothly throughout the race, Corach Rambler has a great chance of making it Grand National win number two.

Janidil @ 66/1

Janadil was a Grade 1 winner in heyday, but he doesn’t seem the force of old and actually reverted back to Hurdles at this year's Cheltenham Festival. He finished last but one, and never really got into the race. I’m not entirely sure why he is lining up here at all, as he’s a complete unknown at this trip and it’s hard to fancy him on his recent form.

Stattler @ 25/1

Stattler is a horse that has been largely disappointing since winning the National Hunt Chase in 2022 and he would be hard to fancy here. We know he has a little bit of class on a going day, but we have hardly seen this in the past couple of seasons and don’t see him as one of the more likely candidates in this field. Not for me.

Mahler Mission @ 14/1

I am a big fan of Mahler Mission and he is quite high up in my pecking order for this year's race. He looked like the winner of the 2023 National Hunt Chase before coming down at the final fence and he clearly has tons of stamina from what we saw of him that day, plus a touch of class about him too. He ran in the Coral Gold Cup where he finished second back in December and has been kept fresh since then with the Grand National in mind. He is fairly versatile when it comes to conditions and a good jumper too, so I can certainly see him up there with the best of these.

Delta Work @ 20/1

Two-time Cross Country winner Delta Work isn’t getting any younger, but he is a smashing horse and the fact that he didn’t go to Cheltenham could be a plus. He stays all day long, jumps very well too and he could outrun his odds for sure. He unseated his rider in last year’s renewal, but was travelling well at the time, so he could well be going under the radar here, especially as he comes here fresher than any who ran at Cheltenham. Delta Work could easily spring a surprise here and should not be taken lightly.

Foxy Jacks @ 66/1

Foxy Jacks won the Cheltenham Cross Country in November before running a very respectable race over Hurdles at Leopardstown. However, he is on a career-high mark and has it all to do to feature in this field. It would be a big surprise to me to see him get close here.

Galvin @ 20/1

I’ve never really thought of Galvin as a Grand National horse and he wouldn’t be the most assured Stayer in my book either. I think he lacks class and his mark of 155 is very steep based on his form this season. He is highly unlikely to improve further at the age of 10, but he would need to get involved here. Not for me.

Farouk D’Alene @ 66/1

It’s hard to fancy Farouk D’Alene at all. His last win was way back in February 2022, and he has only run one good race since, and that was over Hurdles. I don’t see him having any chance at all in this race.

Eldorado Allen @ 66/1

Eldorado Allen has been a legend for the Joe Tizzard team and he was once rated as high as 166. Those days may well be behind him, but he has still run some very respectable races this season. He certainly jumps well enough for Aintree and on a going day, I can see him outrunning his odds. At such a massive price, he’s certainly worth a small each way play.

Ain’t That A Shame @ 66/1

Ain't That A Shame won the Thyestes chase at Gowran in January and he fully deserved to get that big race on his resume. However, the Grand National is a completely different test and he probably falls quite far short of what’s required to win it. He is a decent enough Jumper but tailed off early in the race last year and runs off a 6lb higher mark this time. It’s not ideal for his chances and he is probably up against it.

Vanillier @ 8/1

Vanillier is last year's runner up, but he gets a nice pull in the weights this time round and has as good a chance as any in this field. He is a lovely grey, who stays all day long and providing his jumping holds up, he has a decent chance for the places again. He lost his way for a while after last year's Grand National, but seemed in much better form last time out at Fairyhouse. He will need to be absolutely spot on to win here, but he showed us he can compete and trainer Gavin Cromwell is a master at getting them right for the big day. It would be no surprise to see Vanillier winning the Grand National this year.

Mr Incredible @ 12/1

Mr Incredible is a very likeable horse. He ran a huge race in the Midlands Grand National last time out, straight off the back of a 336 day break, and he could come on plenty for that run. That was his first start since this race last year, where he unseated Brian Hayes after his saddle slipped at the Canal Turn. He was actually travelling quite nicely at the time and he runs off a very tempting mark. It would be no surprise to see Mr Incredible have a say here.

Run Wild Fred @ 80/1

Unfortunately, Run Wild Fred has taken a big step in the wrong direction over the last season, and perhaps even before that. I very much doubt that even a complete revival would be enough to see him as a strong contender here.

Latenightpass @ 25/1

At the age of 11 Latenightpass is still in fine form and he has won around Aintree three times before. However, he is running off a career-high mark and that isn’t going to be in his favour against the younger, classier horses in the race. He has a chance of placing at best, but for win purposes, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Minella Crooner @ 66/1

Minella Crooner is a complete non-starter here. During his career, he has pulled up in every race he has run over a distance of 3m 1f or more, including the Ultima Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival. Avoid.

Adamantly Chosen @ 33/1

Adamantly Chosen has been largely disappointing for the most part. He did turn a bit of a corner on his latest start at Down Royal, where he travelled well and jumped much better than we had seen previously. That could well be a step back in the right direction, but he is a risky one to trust on the basis of that alone. He is unexposed over these long trips though, so he could have more to offer, but I wouldn’t bank on it.

Mac Tottie @ 80/1

Mac Tottie is a multiple winner over the Aintree fences, but he was very disappointing in his two starts leading up to this. If he was to come back to top form he could have a place chance, but if I’m being honest, it’s unlikely that he has the ability to win a race of this nature, especially at the age of 11 years.

Chemical Energy @ 25/1

Chemical Energy is an interesting runner who has the profile of a Grand National winner and he could still be slightly unexposed over this marathon trip. He ran some big races over three miles last season and has been kept fresh for this race, which is an angle that should suit him. He hasn’t had a run since September, but he is a strong traveller and a very reliable jumper who is sure to give you a good run for your money.

Limerick Lace @ 14/1

Limerick Lace won the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival this year and she has been quite well supported for this over the last week. She ran a good race behind Coko Beach in the Troytown Chase and clearly has plenty of stamina. However, this is a completely different task and I don’t think she will be seen to best effect over a trip this long. She has a lot of class, no doubt about it, but mares have a terrible record in this race and I wouldn’t entertain backing her for this.

Meetingofthewaters @ 8/1

I really like Meetingofthewaters but he isn’t the most straightforward type which can be an issue in a race like the Grand National. He has had two wins this season, at Cork and Leopardstown, and even though he is still likely to be well-handicapped, he will need far too much going his way to be a real contender.

The Goffer @ 66/1

The Goffer was well-supported at Cheltenham this year, but he turned out to be rather disappointing when it came to it, and I don't think this trip, or Aintree in general, will suit him that well either. He is still only a seven-year-old, so he may well improve next season, but I don’t really rate his chances here at all.

Roi Mage @ 40/1

Roi Mage might be a twelve-year-old now, but he is still running very good races and he finished seventh here last year. He’s a bit of a fan favourite and will be well-supported I’m sure, but I find it hard to see him topping last year’s performance, so my advice is to ignore this veteran, for winning purposes at least.

Glengouly @ 40/1

Glengouly is another horse that I rather like. He finished second in the Thyestes Chase this season, but was well beaten at Cheltenham last month. The fact is, that he can be a very awkward ride and the only option that seems to work with him is to use hold up tactics and then see if he can play his cards late. However, tactics often fall apart in the Grand National and based on form, it’s hard to find an angle that sees him winning this race.

Galia Des Liteaux @ 25/1

Galia Des Liteaux is a lovely mare from the Dan Skelton yard, and she has plenty of class about her too. She has had a decent enough season again this year and has been well-supported here all week long. But for me, she is way below the level required to win this race and I will definitely be taking her on.

Panda Boy @ 10/1

Panda Boy represents Martin Brassil here and this gelding has a nice combination of class and stamina, which is very much a positive for a Grand National runner. He hasn’t won this season, but he has run four very eye-catching races and he is well handicapped here. As a contender who is still unexposed over staying trips, it would be no surprise to see him do really well here. Not one to be taken lightly.

Eklat De Rire @ 100/1

Eklat De Rire has no form to speak of and his career has been peppered with lengthy breaks. He was last seen at Cheltenham, where he was pulled up in the Ultima. He really just seems to be here to make up the numbers from what I can see, but stranger things have happened in the Grand National.

Chambard @ 66/1

Chambard is a brilliant jumper and also has some pretty good course form around Aintree. In December he beat Coko Beach by 14 lengths, he has plenty of stamina and Lucy Turner, who gets on really well with him, is in the saddle.There are definitely worse 66/1 shots out there and he could be one to outrun his odds.

Kitty’s Light @ 11/1

I would love nothing more than to see Kitty’s Light win the Grand National and he is the sort that could run a really big race. His form is always very in and out, but he generally saves his best running for the big days and he has plenty of stamina on his side too. He also has two wins over four miles to his credit, which is more than the rest of the field can say and off the lowest weight in the field, he could have a big chance of winning the Grand National.

My Grand National Verdict:

So now you know all about this year’s Grand National lineup, it’s time for the really important part - who will win the 2024 Grand National? Well, nobody can ever be sure in this race, but I’ve picked out three worthy candidates for you.

My first selection is I Am Maximus who runs for Irish Champion trainer Willie Mullins. This horse has just looked better and better since joining the Mullins team and he looks like he is gearing up for a big run to me. I think the trip is certainly within his range and he runs off a decent mark, so I don’t see him out of the places here.

Selection number two is last year’s Grand National runner up Vanillier who incidentally finished second to I Am Maximus last time out and that was a great prep run for this race. My third and final pick is the evergreen Kitty’s Light who has the proven form over four-milers and is certain to stay on really well at the finish

My 2024 Grand National betting tips

I Am Maximus @ 7/1
Vanillier @ 8/1
Kittys Light @ 11/1

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