This is our Grand National runners page dedicated to all those entered and running in the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree. A maximum field of 40 takes on the unique challenge of crossing 30 spruce-covered fences over four-and-a-quarter miles each and every year in early April. Famous Grand National horse names can live long in the memory, transcending time with winners sure of a place in sporting history. Red Rum, for example, is synonymous with Aintree after winning the race three times during the 1970s.
This page highlights who this year’s Grand National horses are and the latest odds on them winning. We even have a shortlist of Grand National names put together by our horse racing experts for you to consider. It isn’t until January when Grand National entries are made official that a list of horses is known. All the Grand National runners then receive special ratings which allot them weights in the handicap in February. Our racing experts pick out the best-handicapped Grand National horses and those most suited to the special demands of the Aintree course. They have looked at potential or confirmed Grand National entries and studied all the form for you to help you narrow down the many horses taking part to form a shortlist. Let’s get to know one of our horse racing experts first.
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Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Author Bio
Jamie Clark is the former Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers. He grew up in Lincolnshire, just a short drive from Market Rasen Racecourse where his godfather was a trackside bookie. Horse racing and sport in general has been a huge part of his life since day one. In past years, he has been used by industry leaders like Betfair, Paddy Power and William Hill to produce guides to the Grand National runners and for big races at other major Festivals. Jamie keeps a firm eye on all the racing in Ireland with trainers targeting the key events in Britain from the Emerald Isle more and more. He is always on the lookout for potential Grand National horses of the future. One of his finest hours at Aintree was when he tipped the forecast of Tiger Roll and Pleasant Company in 2018, as these Grand National names finished first and second respectively. The first of his Grand National tips to come through was at Aintree when Seabass each-way finished third in the 2012 Grand National. Now, Jamie can help you find winning bets with Grand National horse names to follow throughout the season and in the world-famous race.
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Horses to Watch Out for in the Grand National 2024
Note – due to the suspension of this year’s Grand National, the below summary may not be up to date. Rest assured, as soon as new information arises we will update this page accordingly.
This is our shortlist of the top five Grand National horses to watch out for in the build-up to and market on the race:
Tiger Roll
Tiger Roll (Ireland)
Date of Birth
Jun 14th, 2010
Gender
Gelding
Coach
Gordon Elliot
When it comes to Grand National horse names, they don’t get any bigger in the current era than Tiger Roll. He’s the only horse since Red Rum to have won the Aintree showpiece more than once. Although he’s getting older, Tiger Roll has proven abundant stamina and a superb record with two previous Grand National wins to his name. With course form in the book, he just has to be on any shortlist of Grand National names. This is one horse you cannot underestimate.
Magic of Light
Magic Of Light (Ireland)
Date of Birth
Jun 24th, 2020
Gender
Mare
Coach
Jessica Harrington
Runner-up in 2019, Magic Of Light has continued to do well against her fellow mares. She should be among Grand National entries once again as she’s been trained specifically with race in mind for three seasons now. Magic Of Light looks sure to be better off at the weights with Tiger Roll from their last clash over the Aintree fences and that could give her a chance of reversing form.
Walk in the Mill
Walk In The Mill (England)
Date of Birth
May 11th, 2010
Gender
Gelding
Coach
Robert Walford
Two-time Becher Chase winner Walk In The Mill ticks one of the biggest boxes needed for Grand National horses – an aptitude for the Aintree fences. He may be from a relatively modest and little known stable, but course form figures of 141 command respect. Walk In The Mill is an older horse now, but until recently the prevailing trend favoured more mature winners of the Grand National. His ante post price is very large, given what he’s achieved at Aintree in the past.
Native River
Native River (England)
Date of Birth
Jun 04th, 2020
Gender
Gelding
Coach
Colin Tizzard
If ever a horse looks tailor-made for the Grand National, then it’s Native River. The 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has previously won valuable staying handicaps such as the old Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and Welsh Grand National around Chepstow. This may be his one and only shot at the Grand National but, with no stamina doubts, it’s just a question of whether he will take to the Aintree fences. His jumping should prove equal to them.
Easysland
Easysland (France)
Date of Birth
Jun 20th, 2020
Gender
Gelding
Coach
David Cottin
French Cross Country expert Easysland announced himself as a major force when lowering the colours of Tiger Roll at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. This is the first time he has been eligible to be among Grand National entries, so it will be very interesting to see if his powerful connections take aim at Aintree. Easysland has proven stamina from his races on both sides of the Channel. He may still get even better, so – if turning up in the Grand National – is another respected runner.
Our Main Danger Grand National Horses
Which Grand National runners do our experts see as dangers to those on the shortlist? Let’s take a look:
Burrows Saint
Burrows Saint (Ireland)
Date of Birth
Jun 20th, 2020
Gender
Gelding
Coach
Willie Mullins
Winner of the 2019 Irish Grand National, the time may now be right for Burrows Saint to step up on his Fairyhouse triumph and land the English equivalent at Aintree. He was among Grand National horse names discussed in 2024 before it was called off, but another year to mature can only be a plus. Trainer Mullins has a very good record of getting horses to at least finish in the frame at Aintree, so that makes Burrows Saint a definite danger.
Potters Corner
Potters Corner (Wales)
Date of Birth
Apr 08th, 2010
Gender
Gelding
Coach
Christian Williams
A Welsh trained winner of the Welsh Grand National in 2019, Potters Corner is a rare victor over the Aintree trip having landed the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in the previous season. Those events are almost like unofficial trials for the big one and, although now an older horse, he will definitely stay all day. Potters Corner has to be regarded as a danger on that basis, especially if taking to the Grand National fences.
Kimberlite Candy
Kimberlite Candy (England)
Date of Birth
Mar 09th, 2020
Gender
Gelding
Coach
Tom Lacey
After chasing home Walk In The Mill in the 2019 Becher and then going one better in the 2024 Classic Chase at Warwick, Kimberlite Candy emerged as a Grand National contender. Given he’s owned by the mighty JP McManus, a future Aintree bid looks on the cards. As with Walk In The Mill, he is from a lesser known trainer, but that is no barrier to success. Kimberlite Candy rates a big danger if he continues to improve on the pick of his form for tests of stamina.
Some big Grand National names aren’t just horses and their trainers, but riders as well. It’s vital to get the full picture of the horse, rider, and stable when betting on Grand National races. The retirements of Aintree experts such as Ruby Walsh and Leighton Aspell, who were both fortunate enough to have won two Grand Nationals in their careers, means the mantle passes to others. The right jockey can make or break your chances of winning. Who can forget Crisp, ridden by Richard Pitman, finishing second to Red Rum in 1973? That led to the birth of a Grand National legend. Davy Russell, who has twice partnered Tiger Roll to Aintree glory, is now the most successful active rider in the race.
The Grand National is the ultimate test of horsemanship. Knowing when to ask your mount and getting horses into a jumping rhythm is key at Aintree. Sometimes you have to sit tight when scaling obstacles on the course like The Chair or remember to take the Canal Turn at the correct angle. These are just some of the questions asked of the list of Grand National jockeys and their equine partners. Completing the course – two circuits and 30 fences in total – should be considered an achievement by any rider.
We only know for certain which jockeys partner Grand National runners when the race finally declares just over 48 hours ahead of the scheduled race time. These can be subject to change in case a rider falls in another race and has to be stood down by the on course doctors. It takes a brave person to become a jockey in the first place, so tackling the Grand National course is not for the faint-hearted. We salute the jockeys taking their chances over the Aintree fences.
Grand National Horses & Names
Some Grand National horse names crop up each and every year, as trainers try to get a horse used to the unique obstacles. There are a number of trials, many unofficial, but nothing quite compares to a spin around Aintree and those spruce-covered fences. With a worldwide TV audience of over 500,000,000 and two-thirds of UK adults placing a bet on the race each year, how you pick out Grand National horses is up to you. Our shortlist of fancied contenders, dangers and each-way outsiders is far from exhaustive. As comprehensive as it is, remember there is a field of 40 Grand National runners going in the race.
That is a lot of choice. Some people just pick out Grand National horse names they happen to like. Our horse racing experts have a grasp on all of the form and whether a horse is well-handicapped for the race once the weights are published. Just because certain Grand National horse names are familiar to those who follow racing doesn’t mean that this event will always suit them.
One thing’s for sure. A racehorse, whatever its called, has to be the fittest it’s ever been to stand any chance of winning at Aintree. The marathon distance of the race and the demands of jumping the 30 fences mean Grand National names and legends are made on Merseyside.
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