There are few more famous races in the world of horse racing than the Grand National. The race attracts millions of worldwide viewers annually, as the field tackle some of the most famous fences on the National Hunt calendar.
The Aintree showpiece may still be over five months away, but routes to the Grand National in 2024 are already being outlined by leading connections across the United Kingdom and Ireland. But, who are some of the runners from the 2023 edition that could feature in the Grand National betting for 2024?
Corach Rambler
It would be challenging to start anywhere else other than the winner of the 2023 Grand National, as Corach Rambler looks primed to make another bid for glory at Aintree. The nine-year-old gave Lucinda Russell a second win in the race earlier this year, travelling excellent over the extended four miles to beat Vaillier by over two lengths.
Before that race, it was well-known that he was well-in on his handicap mark, and he is typically a horse that comes alive in the final months of the season, evident from the fact that he has landed victory in the Ultima Handicap Chase in each of the previous two years at the Cheltenham Festival. All indicators point to a return to Aintree, but connections could yet be swayed for a Gold Cup challenge at Cheltenham if he is able to hold his own in Grade 1 company before the end of the year.
Mr Incredible
Despite being the dominant trainer over the jumps, Willie Mullins hasn’t trained the winner of the Grand National since Hedgehunter’s victory in 2005. Mr Incredible was one of the big market movers before the 2023 edition of the race, as he was cut to as short as 14/1 before the delayed start. Like many others, the scenes that caused the delay at Aintree this year sparked an uncommon round of jumping from the seven-year-old, as he unseated his rider on the second circuit.
However, the seven-year-old remains incredibly underexposed, and a second challenge in the Aintree showpiece remains on the cards in 2024. His handicap mark will likely see him play a key role, and he has excellent pieces of form over the extended distances, which includes a second in the Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick.
Coko Beach
The Grand National is often a race that Gordon Elliott targets from an early stage, and he will likely boast a strong hand once again in 2024 with Delta Work and Galvin among his likely contenders. However, one of his runners that has excellent experience at Aintree that will be lower in the handicap is Coko Beach.
The eight-year-old made a pleasing return to action at Limerick in October to finish third over three miles, and has represented the yard in each of the previous two editions of the Grand National. He ran off a career-high mark in the race in April to great credit, but eventually faded in the closing stages before being pulled up with three fences remaining. His jumping ultimately when amiss when challenging for the lead at Aintree this year, but he could be a major player if on a reduced mark in 2024.
