Which Horse Is Favourite For The 2023 Grand National?

Sports Lens

27 March 2023

As we head closer to the biggest horse race in the world, many equine fans will be asking – which horse is favourite for the 2023 Grand National at Aintree?

2023 Grand National Favourites: Noble Yeats, Corach Rambler and Delta Work Fighting It Out

The 2023 Grand National favourites position is likely to chop and change as the race gets nearer, but at the moment there are three horses fighting it out for the market leaders berth for the Aintree showcase race (Saturday, 15th April 2023).

Noble Yeats Looking to Defy the Trends Again

12 months ago, we saw the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats kick the Grand National trends into touch and he’ll be looking to repeat the feat again.

The Waley-Cohen-owned horse became the first 7 year-old to win the National since 1940, plus also returned at 50/1 Grand National odds – the third biggest priced winner since 1986.

He’s now 8 and back to defend his title, but with only Tiger Roll (18/19) and Red Rum (73/74) doing the double in the last 50 years, Nobel Yeats has some more ‘stat-busting’ to do.

The 2022 Grand National hero has returned this season in top form though – winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December. While he was last seen running on to take fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

However, Nobel Yeats is also rated 19lbs higher this year and having won with 10st 10lbs twelve months ago, will now have 11st 11lb to carry.

That said, as soon as the ‘once a year punters’ remember his name, Noble Yeats is sure to be well-supported before the race. It will be a shock if he’s not going off as the 2023 Grand National favourite.

You can back Nobel Yeats @ 8/1 with the best UK horse racing betting sites.

Corach Rambler Hoping to Give Trainer Lucinda Russell a Second National Win

Corach Rambler has also thrown his hat into the ‘2023 Grand National favourites’ ring after winning the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

This Lucinda Russell-trained horse likes to be held-up in his races and then pick off runners during the second half of the race – so the National could be perfect for him. This 9 year-old doesn’t often find a lot when hitting the front though so his jockey Derek Fox, might have to time it right.

Fox and Russell also have National history after teaming up to win the race in 2017 with One For Arthur, who sadly died recently.

With the Grand National weights having already been out before his Cheltenham win, then Corach Rambler also escapes a penalty for that success and will run off rating of 146 and carry just 10st 5lbs.

The negative, when looking at the trends though, is that only three horses that won at the Cheltenham Festival since 1961 have gone onto win the National in the same season.

Corach Rambler is on offer at 7/1 with the best UK horse racing betting sites.

Can Delta Work Improve on Last Year’s Grand National Third?

The third horse that is having a say in the ‘which horse is the 2023 Grand National favourite?’ debate is Delta Work. This Gigginstown House Stud horse was third in the race 12 months ago and has returned this season better than ever to win the Cross-Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival recenlty.

Now a 10 year-old, the Gordon Elliott runner has been given a chance by the handicapper too being rated a pound lower than last year. Yes, he’s got 22 lengths to find with Nobel Yeats, but whereas he carried 11st 9lbs last year, has 11st 4lbs this time.

With Nobel Yeats having a lot more weight this time too, then Delta Work actually has a 20lbs weight swing with last years winner.

Delta Work will be looking to give his trainer Gordon Elliott his third Grand National win and would also provide Gigginstown House Stud team with their fourth success since 2016.

You can back Delta Work at 10/1 with the best UK horse racing betting sites.