Grand National Grey Horses 2024: Could Vanillier be just the 4th Grey winner ever?

Everyone loves a grey, right? Perhaps it's their rarity, perhaps it's their beauty, perhaps it's the memory of Dessie, and Neptune Collonges?

We've taken a look at the likely grey contenders to run in this year's 2024 Grand National and analysed their chances of victory. 

Only three greys have ever won the world's most famous horse race since it was first run in 1839. They are:

• The Lamb (1868, 1871)
• Nicolaus Silver (1961)
• Neptune Collonges (2012)

As you can see above, just four grey horses have declared for this year's Grand National and that may be cut down even further, as a reduced 34-runner field will be declared at 10:00 on Thursday morning.

The racing authorities have made the decision to reduce the number of runners, in an attempt to improve horse and rider safety. So - let's go through these magnificent animals one by one to see if we might get just get our 5th grey winner; and the first for 12 years!

Vanillier @ 9/1 (10st 11, Age 9)

Vanillier 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, the nine-year-old Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding was beaten easily by current 2nd favourite, I Am Maximus, in the BobbyJo Chase at Fairyhouse in February and will need to improve several levels from that run.

This longer distance should benefit Vanillier 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.

Panda Boy @ 14/1 (10st 6, Age 8)

Martin Brassil resisted the urge to throw Panda Boy in at the Cheltenham Festival and instead has held him back for this huge test 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 5th 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.

Coko Beach @ 40/1 (11st 7, Age 9)

The Gordon Elliott-trained Coko Beach carries good recent form at this track, having finished 2nd in the Becher back in December from a career-high mark.

However, that 11st 7lb weight is worrying, as are his two previous attempts in this race, running out of stamina back in 2022 when finishing 8th and again last year when pulled up after several mistakes.

Eldorado Allen @ 100/1 (10st 13, Age 10)

This lovely 10-year-old has had a super career but this looks a task too far at this stage of it. He was pulled-up in the Ultima at Cheltenham after suffering a breathing problem and even at his best, never looked to have the stamina to be a National contender.

This one looks really unlikely.

You can find all our latest Grand National Betting Tips over on our dedicated Insights site.