Grand National 2024 – notes on all the runners

The Grand National, which takes place at Aintree on Saturday (16:00), will this year feature 34 runners instead of the usual 40 following major changes made to the race around six months ago.

Here's our guide - including the latest odds and a brief assessment of each one's chance - to those Grand National runners. Whether online or in one of our welcoming, friendly 1300 betting shops around the country, we'd be delighted to be part of your National experience.

Win-only bets

A win-only bet is fairly self-explanatory: you bet on the horse to win the race. For you to make any return on your stake, the horse that you have backed must win the Grand National.

How does each-way betting work?

Each-way bets are essentially two bets in one. The first bet is that your horse will win; the second is that your horse will finish in the places - the first five (£5 each-way for example is £5 to win, and £5 on the place element - total stake therefore £10.) Look out for the place terms - 1/5th the odds.

Here's the entire field;

Corach Rambler (Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox) - 6/1

The champ. He's progressed with every run this season, culminating in a fantastic third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, and looks ready for a bold defence of his title off a 13lb higher mark.

I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) - 8/1

One - arguably the one - of several for the masterful Willie Mullins. Won the Irish Grand National as a novice last season and comes to Merseyside on the back of a career-best effort. Serious chance.

Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell/Sean Flanagan) - 9/1

Runner-up to Corach Rambler last year. Strong claims on that form, but he's been hard to weigh up this term. Comfortably held by I Am Maximus on his latest run but it's likely his entire campaign has been tailored around this one day which makes him dangerous.

Meetingofthewaters (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) - 9/1

One of a handful of seven-year-olds who was bought by J P McManus prior to a solid run in the Ultima Handicap Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival. He caught the eye that day and this has no doubt been the plan for a while. Good chance.

Mr Incredible (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) - 12/1

A lightly-raced eight-year-old who went off 14/1 for last year's renewal before unseating at the 24th fence. He's only had one run since, when a staying-on second in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter four weeks ago, which gives him a fair chance.

Kitty's Light (Christian Williams/Jack Tudor) - 12/1

The only runner for a shrewd target trainer and his form over marathon trips is good, but I find it hard to envisage him troubling the judge in what looks one of the strongest Nationals on record.

Panda Boy (Martin Brassil/JJ Slevin) - 14/1

Second to Meetingofthewaters over Christmas and re-opposes off 11lb better terms having enjoyed a spin over hurdles in the meantime. If the former rates a potential winner then so does he under the Irish Grand National-winning jockey.

Limerick Lace (Gavin Cromwell/Mark Walsh) - 16/1

This seven-year-old mare has taken her form to new heights this season, winning the Mares' Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival on her most recent start. Marathon trip on deep ground is a big concern though.

Mahler Mission (John McConnell/Ben Harvey) - 18/1

Unsure about the lofty rating, but he was probably set to win the National Hunt Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival before falling at the second-last and he's been in excellent form this campaign. Has a fair absence to overcome but must be taken seriously.

Minella Indo (Henry De Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) - 20/1

Sure to attract support under the popular Rachael Blackmore, the 2021 Gold Cup winner was strongly-fancied for the abandoned Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month and that's been a good trial for the Grand National recently. Fair claims.

Noble Yeats (Emmet Mullins/Harry Cobden) - 20/1

It's unusual to go into a Grand National having spent the whole season over hurdles, but this former National winner stays all day and his handler's unique training methods have paid off time and time again. Good chance.

Nassalam (Gary Moore/Caoilin Quinn) - 20/1

The Welsh Grand National hero is a dour stayer who loves deep ground, but it's a fair ask for a seven-year-old to carry 11-7 round here in such conditions. Has to bounce back from being pulled-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup too.

Delta Work (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) - 25/1

A strong stayer who will cope with conditions better than most. If back to his best, he has his chance, but he's had issues this year and appears to be regressing.

Galia Des Liteaux (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) - 25/1

Probably lacks the class to win the race, but this hardy mare stays well and acts on desperate ground so it's not difficult to see her making the frame. Her trainer enjoyed an excellent Cheltenham Festival and is second to none at getting one ready for a big day, so she's respected.

Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott/Jordan Gainford) - 33/1

Another dour stayer who will love conditions. Well-beaten in 2022 and pulled-up last year off a 6lb lower mark, but he's in the form of his life so is worth one more chance. Each-way claims.

Galvin (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) - 40/1

Unseated his rider at the very first obstacle last year, but this season has gone much smoother. Improved nicely between his first two runs and enjoyed a pleasing prep for the abandoned Cross Country Chase over hurdles in February. Ground a big concern though.

Capodanno (Willie Mullins/Keith Donoghue) - 40/1

Yet another Mullins/McManus runner with a chance. His rating of 161 is perhaps a little harsh, though, and this trip/ground combination is an unknown. A risky option as far as I'm concerned, but at the same time I wouldn't put anyone off a wager.

Latenightpass (Tom Ellis/Miss Gina Andrews) - 40/1

Won a hunters' chase over the Grand National fences a couple of years ago and enjoyed two excellent spins round Cheltenham's cross country track earlier this season. He could go well, but frankly it'd be a surprise to see him competing at the business end.

Chemical Energy (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) - 50/1

A talented individual on his day, but ultimately inconsistent. Has been off the track for over 200 days and there's a significant doubt he'll stay the trip on likely deep ground. Hard to advise.

Adamantly Chosen (Willie Mullins/Sean O'Keefe) - 50/1

Not as fancied as some of his trainer's other runners, but he demolished a good field at Down Royal last time out. That was a career-best performance and he's only seven, so further improvement can be expected. Interesting.

Stattler (Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins) - 50/1

On his second to dual-Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs just five starts ago, having won the National Hunt Chase impressively at the 2022 Festival, it would be no surprise were he to make a splash. However, he's been poor since so plenty of faith is required.

Roi Mage (Patrick Griffin/James Reveley) - 50/1

An admirable 12-year-old who will no doubt give it a good go, but he'd rate a surprise winner in my book. Not so unrealistic to imagine him finishing in the places though.

Foxy Jacks (Mouse Morris/Gavin Brouder) - 66/1

Done no favours by the handicapper and he's far from straightforward, but not without a chance on the form of his cross country triumph at Cheltenham back in November. There's worse each-way bets.

Ain't That A Shame (Henry De Bromhead/David Maxwell) - 66/1

Finally landed a big pot in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park earlier this year but is now eight pounds higher and will be ridden by new owner David Maxwell, an amateur who can't make use of his claim, instead of Rachael Blackmore. Lots to do.

The Goffer (Gordon Elliott/Sean Bowen) - 66/1

Has ability but he's looked a total non-stayer every time he's raced over further than three miles, so this marathon trip on heavy ground is far from ideal. Would be another shock winner as far as I'm concerned.

Glengouly (Willie Mullins/Michael O'Sullivan) - 66/1

Somewhat interesting based on one or two pieces of form and this lightly-raced eight-year-old could yet improve, but he wouldn't be on my shortlist.

Farouk D'alene (Gordon Elliott/Donagh Meyler) - 80/1

Very useful on his day - he was travelling menacingly when departing at the second-last in the 2022 Brown Advisory just five starts ago - but he's been struggling of late after some setbacks, so his mark of 154 appears a big burden.

Minella Crooner (Gordon Elliott/Kevin Sexton) - 80/1

There's a case to be made on some of his earlier form, but he's been comprehensively beaten the last twice and was pulled-up on his two starts over 3m5f+, so he's another one that's hard to advise.

Eldorado Allen (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) - 100/1

He's probably slightly overpriced as he's a classy individual who was running well at the start of the season, but he's on a high mark and recent breathing issues are hugely off-putting.

Eklat De Rire (Henry De Bromhead/Darragh O'Keefe) - 100/1

One of the hardest to weigh up. He's very lightly-raced for a 10-year-old and at his peak he'd be dangerous off this mark. However, it seems his best days are well behind him.

Chambard (Venetia Williams/Lucy Turner) - 100/1

Only six pounds higher than when beating 40/1 shot Coko Beach by 12 widening lengths in the Becher here late last year, which makes the 12-year-old interesting at the prices. Well-beaten in three starts since though, so nothing more than modest stakes each-way is advised.

Janidil (Willie Mullins/Jody McGarvey) - 100/1

The third Mullins/McManus runner and, as the odds suggest, the one with most to do. Remains on a lofty mark and not a guaranteed stayer. Little to get excited about, frankly.

Run Wild Fred (Gordon Elliott/Tom Hamilton) - 100/1

Second in the 2021 Irish Grand National but his recent form is poor, having failed to complete on his last three outings. It would be a surprise were he to do the business.

Mac Tottie (Peter Bowen/James Bowen) - 100/1

Has always gone well at Aintree and over the National fences but this 11-year-old has ran just four times in two years and was beaten a combined 95L in the last two. Wouldn't be for me.

If you're playing, have fun, good luck, and as always, take care.