Grand National Favourites: We look at the likely horses to win

The world's greatest race is almost upon us and here at Betfred Insights, we have analysed the 2024 Grand National Favourites, checked out the latest odds and given our thoughts on their chances.

There will be a final declaration of runners on Thursday at 10:00 which could change the prices listed, so please check before placing any bets. 

On National day, people may pick their favourite name or colours or perhaps just stick a pin in the racecard. However, the favourites are priced that way for a reason and in the last six years, only one winner (Noble Yeats @ 50/1) has been priced higher than 14/1 at SP, with Tiger Roll the shortest at 4/1 when going back-to-back in 2019.

So let's move onto this year's likely winners, one of whom should come from the following favourites.

Corach Rambler @ 6/1

We start with last year's winner and the extremely popular Corach Rambler. Lucinda Russell's 10-year-old had the perfect warm-up at Cheltenham, finishing strongly in third at the Gold Cup, behind Galopin Des Champs and Gerri Colombe.

That run was merely a prelude for trying to go back-to-back at Aintree, however, and he has been installed as the pre-race favourite. The added 13lbs of weight from last year's triumph will be a concern though and the ground looks set to be heavy, after a prolonged downpour in the north west of England recently.

Don't discount Corach though, he is a proven big race winner and will love the fuss being made of him on Saturday.

I Am Maximus @ 8/1

Willie Mullins' eight-year-old is the pick of Closutton's runners and comes to Aintree with superb form, having won the Irish Grand National last year and the Bobbyjo Chase in February, where he demolished Vanillier by 14 lengths.

His only two losses in between have been behind the likes of Galopin Des Champs, Fastorslow and Gerri Colombe in Grade 1 Chases and if he takes to the Aintree fences on debut, he could be a real contender.

However, his jumping has been iffy in the past and Mullins hasn't bagged a National winner since 2005, making the single-digit price look a little short.

Vanillier @ 9/1

The aforementioned Vanillier is the shortest priced Grand National grey horse and will have a lot of support on Saturday.

The nine-year-old Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding had a superb run in the National last year, when finishing runner-up to Corach Rambler, and has been lightly-raced since in preparation for this year's renewal. He has also benefited from just a 4lb higher mark, which should see him get closer to last year's winner, who has to carry 13lb more.

However, Vanillier was beaten easily by current second favourite, I Am Maximus, in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February and will need to step up massively to overturn such a defeat

This longer distance should benefit him and Cromwell's horses are in fine form over this side of the Irish Sea, so he should have a live chance if he makes it round without mishap.

Meetingofthewaters @ 9/1

There has been a lot of money come in for another of WP Mullins' contenders as Meetingofthewaters has shortened from around 14/1 into his current price of 9's.

The gamble was sparked by an encouraging third place run in the Ultima at Cheltenham, where he finished behind Chianti Classico and Twig. His performance at Prestbury Park was superb and his jumping looked to be ideally suited for this longer trip.

He's just six runs into his Mullins career and looks to be improving with every run. Could he now grab the biggest prize of them all on Merseyside?

Mr Incredible @ 12/1

Another Mullins charge that has shortened in the betting in recent weeks, quelle surprise! Mr Incredible has been smashed in from 20/1 on the weight of the Irish support and an impressive runner-up performance in the recent Midlands National. The horse has been described as having a huge engine by stable jockey Like Turner and he has shown a liking for soft ground in the past.

The eight-year-old was fairly unlucky in this race last year, when his saddle slipped at the Canal Turn when travelling well. He has been fairly treated by the handicapper and with a weight less than 11st and the suspected heavy ground, should be a real threat here.

Panda Boy @ 14/1

The second of the fancied greys, Panda Boy is another with a solid claim for victory in Liverpool.

Trainer Martin Brassil resisted the temptation to throw him in at the Cheltenham Festival and instead has held him back for this huge potential prize on home soil.

The eight-year-old has finished no worse than fifth in his last five runs and is only carrying 10st 6lbs, which is significantly less than the weight carried by Meetingofthewaters, who defeated him by 4.5l at Leopardstown back in December.

Panda Boy was fifth in last year's Irish Grand National and if this was good ground would probably be amongst the favourites. He may struggle to stay on what could be heavy terrain.

Kitty's Light @ 14/1

Christian Williams eight-year-old would be a hugely popular winner, after a stellar 2023 campaign which included consecutive wins in the Eider, Scottish National and the Gold Cup at Sandown.

Since then, Kitty has done little to shout about but you get the feeling that may be the stable trying get in the handicappers favour and it appears to have worked off a mark of just 10st 6.

A proven stayer and off a favourable weight, what's not to like? Well frankly the ground, which could deal those on Kitty at a much higher price a serious blow.

Mahler Mission @ 16/1

Another eight-year-old, this time trained by John McConnell, who has brought this horse into the race on the back of a very lengthy rest.

After unluckily falling in the National Hunt Chase when well clear two out, he had back-to-back runner-up results, including the Gold Cup at Newbury behind Datsalrightgino.

Since then though, he hasn't been seen and it's fairly unusual for a horse with such little preparation to do well here at Aintree. He is also carrying a lot of weight.

Limerick Lace @ 16/1

Last of the favourites is the prolific winner Limerick Lace, a seven-year-old out of Gavin Cromwell's stable. No mare has won the Grand National since 1951 but Limerick has a live chance, having taken the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham in March.

That was an impressive win but this National trip is over almost two miles longer and stamina could be a big issue under heavy ground. It looks like Mark Walsh might take the ride, so JP McManus certainly thinks she has a sniff of the £500,000 first prize.

You can find all our latest Grand National Betting Tips at our dedicated page on Insights