Horses To Look Out for In This Year’s Grand National

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6 March 2024

Exposed Magazine

The Grand National is a race that is a huge part of British culture. Millions tune into the contest every year, and in the build-up to the “world’s most famous steeplechase”, there are conversations in cafes, pubs, and workplaces up and down the country about who will win the marathon event.

Here is a look at who at the leading contenders for this year’s race.

I am Maximus

Former Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus is one of the leading Irish-trained horses set to feature in the Aintree feature. He tops the odds on the Grand National at 10/1. Many pundits believe he is the horse to beat in the 34-runner contest.

The eight-year-old, who is trained by Irish Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, is one of the leading Grand National tips this year. He produced an excellent performance in his final prep run before Aintree, winning the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. In that race in Ireland, he beat several Grand National contenders, including 2023 runner-up Vanillier.

Not many horses go into the Grand National as a Grade One winner, but I Am Maximus can boast that title, as he won the Drinmore Novice Chase back in December. That race came over the shorter distance of 2m4f where he did not lack any pace.

Mullins’ chaser has all the right attributes to do well at Aintree. He has been handed a weight allocation of 11st 2lb, and that ensures he is guaranteed a place in the field at the Merseyside course.

Kitty’s Light

One of last season’s most impressive staying chasers in either the UK or Ireland was Kitty’s Light. He ended the campaign with three consecutive major handicap victories, including a success in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Christian Williams’ runner has an official rating of 146 which means he may end up with one of the lowest weight allocations in this year’s Grand National field. His trainer has had wins in the Scottish and Welsh versions of the Grand National, but a triumph at Aintree would top anything he has achieved so far in his training career.

The eight-year-old has featured just once so far this season. He came home midfield at Newbury in a premier handicap contest. The Welsh-based horse has an entry in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and Williams will be hoping his horse can reproduce the same form as he did at this time of the campaign 12 months ago.

Corach Rambler

There have only been two repeat winners of the Grand National since 1974, with Red Rum and Tiger Roll both scoring in consecutive years in the big race at Aintree. Connections of Corach Rambler will be hoping their horse can join that list.

Lucinda Russell’s runner was well fancied last year for the race as he went off as the 8/1 favourite. He won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham and then outstayed his rivals in Merseyside.

The challenge this year will be tougher as he has been handed 11lb more weight on his back. However, a repeat success cannot be ruled out as he is a tough horse who relishes a strong stamina test.

Enjoy the action from the 2024 Grand National on the 15th of April in what looks set to be a thrilling race once again.

 

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