Grand National 2023 favourites: Who are they and how have they fared in the past

Horse racing's biggest day returns to Aintree this Saturday with the 175th running of 2023 Randox Grand National

It is the biggest betting occasion of the year, a day when the general public join regular punters in staking money on the outcome of the £1 million race.

Bookmakers predict a total of £150 million will be bet across betting shops and online.

A survey of 2,000 adults carried out for Ladbrokes found that 40 per cent would be placing a bet on the race this year.

Eye-catching names are often favourite picks for once-a-year punters so Mr Incredible or Back On The Lash could prove popular as well as names with a Royal connection such as Roi Mage.

But past performances count most with these five horses likely to feature in many selections.

Ain’t That A Shame (8-1)

Owes his prominence due to the fact he will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore. Blackmore, who made history when becoming the first female to win the Grand National two years ago, is an established public favourite now as a result of her record-breaking exploits.

Ain’t That A Shame is a novice, like last year’s winner Noble Yeats, but has already run well in big field handicaps, finishing second in the Munster National and fourth in the Paddy Power Chase in December. He is making his Aintree debut but could offer a lot more than we’ve seen to date.

Delta Work (8-1)

Finished third last year, beaten 22 lengths, but proved he could negotiate the unique fences.

His three-time Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott has used the same template as he did for dual victor Tiger Roll by keeping him to cross-country chases.

He won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival which is traditionally a good guide.

Corach Rambler (10-1)

The big hope of Scotland from a stable that won the Grand National with One For Arthur whose winning jockey Derek Fox is in the saddle again.

After winning the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham for the second time he was cut to favourite, a position he held until the money came for Ain’t That A Shame.

He is set to carry 10lb less than he will shoulder in future handicaps which presents him with a golden opportunity if this hold-up horse can pick his way through the pack.

Gaillard Du Mesnil (12-1)

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend won the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday and this is their number one hope in the Grand National.

The grey was never going better than at the end of 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham so the distance should be no bother, as long as he can keep his jumping together.

Noble Yeats (12-1)

The only course and distance winner in the field, last year’s 50-1 winner has shown his victory was no one-off as he went on to finish fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

That is probably the best form in the field but a weight of 11st 11lb is plenty to carry around Aintree.

Last year’s winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen retired immediately after his triumph so Sean Bowen gets the chance to ride his first Grand National winner.

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