The world’s most famous horse race takes place at 5.15 on Saturday afternoon, and while there’s a prize fund of £1 million on offer to the winner of the race, anyone having a bet on Saturday might just be pleased with enough of a return to pay for the celebrations.
If you’re hoping to back the winner, cheer on an outsider, or just learn about some of the great narratives around several key contenders, here are 10 to follow.
Noble Yeats
Only one place to start – with last year’s winner. Noble Yeats will bid to join the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll in winning the race more than once, but his odds will be significantly shorter than last year’s winning price of 50/1. There will be a different jockey on board this year, too – Sam Waley-Cohen’s victory 12 months ago was his last race in the saddle. Quite a way to bow out.
Corach Rambler
Trending
- PL Predictions: Title twist! Leicester to nick draw at Man City
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Chelsea manager latest; Colwill won’t be sold
- Papers: Chelsea target Gavi as Barca close on Gundogan
- Carlyle in talks over acquiring a minority stake in Man Utd
- Martinez to miss rest of season | Varane out for a ‘few weeks’
- Ten to follow in the Grand National
- Klopp on poor form, staying motivated, smart recruitment and more
- Pep: If Leicester beat us title race is over | Arteta: We need luck
- Ten Hag: Strikers, past traumas, striving for consistency
- Lampard backs Mount | ‘How can anyone think he’s not a top player?’
- Video
- Latest News
The favourite for the race at time of writing, Corach Rambler is one of many classy horses in the field. Jockey Derek Fox and trainer Lucinda Russell have plenty of Grand National pedigree, too – the same duo won with One for Arthur back in 2017. Fox has recovered from injury just in time to take the ride – exactly as he did six years ago.
- Tom Scudamore’s Grand National runner-by-runner guide
- Alex Hammond’s four to follow
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Don’t miss leading former jockey Tom Scudamore’s Grand National runner guide and his four to follow for the big race!
Any Second Now
Latest Racing Stories
Has a fair claim to the unwanted tag of the unluckiest horse in Grand National history. Finished second last year to a brilliant performance from Noble Yeats, and was third the year before when badly hampered by a faller. At the age of 11, victory this year might be a step too far – but he would be an extremely popular winner.
Back on the Lash
Speaking of popular – this horse’s evocative name is likely to bring in plenty of support from punters on the day. He might well be an outsider, but with former Tottenham and West Ham manager Harry Redknapp amongst his owners, Back on the Lash will receive plenty of attention in the lead-up to Saturday’s race.
Mister Coffey
Legendary trainer Nicky Henderson has won everything in this sport – apart from the Grand National. The 72-year-old’s hopes this year rest with Mister Coffey. While those hopes aren’t exactly forlorn, this horse would certainly be a surprising winner. Henderson has insisted he won’t retire if he wins on Saturday – but it would, in his words, ‘complete the journey’.
Our Power
If you’re after a horse with plenty of appealing narratives, look no further than Our Power, who’s bidding to become only the second Welsh-trained winner of the race, following on from Kirkland all the way back in 1905. Sam Thomas is the trainer of Our Power – and came to prominence as a jockey when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on board the great Denman.
In November, Thomas was involved in a helicopter crash with the horse’s part-owner Dai Walters. Thomas came away without any serious injuries, while Walters continues to recover. A turbulent few months could end on the highest of highs.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
As the 40th anniversary of Corbiere’s victory in the Grand National approaches, Jenny Pitman relives the day she made history by becoming the first female to train the winner of the world’s most famous race.
Lifetime Ambition
Not a bad name for a potential Grand National winner – Lifetime Ambition is trained by Jessica Harrington, another great of the game who is yet to win this race. A consistent performer, connections involved with Lifetime Ambition will be looking nervously to the skies, with drier ground the preference for this 25/1 chance.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
Everyone loves to follow a grey, and out of the four in the race, this 14/1 chance might be your best bet, in the hands of the prolific duo of jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins. Only three grey horses have won the Grand National – most recently Neptune Collonges in 2012 – but Gaillard Du Mesnil has been in fine form – this is certainly one for the shortlist.
Coko Beach
If you’re after an outsider and a grey, then look no further than Coko Beach – one of six horses in the race for trainer Gordon Elliott. Elliott is bidding to win the race for a record-equalling fourth time, and while Coko Beach would be one of the more surprising of his six-strong team to take victory, he did finish inside the top 10 last year, and at eight years old, is the right age to make an impact.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jockey Harry Skelton is looking forward to the ride on Le Milos in Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree and partnering Third Time Lucki at the track on Thursday.
Cape Gentleman
It truly would be a story fit for Hollywood if this horse came home in front at around half past five on Saturday afternoon. American owner Pierre Manigault is looking to follow in the footsteps of his Great-Uncle, Stephen ‘Laddie’ Sandford, who became the first American to own a Grand National winner when his horse Sergeant Murphy won the race exactly 100 years ago. That story was made into a film in 1938 – and even starred Ronald Reagan. Manigault is travelling from South Carolina to Liverpool to see his horse in action.
Verdict: It’s hard to look past Corach Rambler – connections certainly know what they’re doing when it comes to winning this race – but odds of 7/1 or shorter might understandably put a few off. The grey Gaillard Du Mesnil catches the eye in more ways than one – while Our Power comes into the race fresh and certainly has a chance
Sourse: skysports.com
