Grand National 2023 Betting Preview

Saturday 15th April sees the biggest race on the British calendar as Aintree once again plays host to the mighty Grand National. No other event comes close to capturing the public imagination quite like this one, and in terms of betting turnover, this marathon affair puts everything else firmly in the shade. With only a week to go until they go under starters orders, the question on everyone’s lips is, “Who’s going to win?”.

Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler is the current 6/1 clear favourite for the race, on the back of his win in the Ultima Handicap, with defending champ Noble Yeats in at 8/1, and this year’s Cross Country Chase winner Delta Work also an 8/1 shot. It’s hard to fault the claims of that trio, but with the vast majority of firms offering additional places, this looks an ideal race for an each-way punt. Here we pick out four contenders at bigger prices who look to have decent claims of at least hitting the frame.

Enjoy D’allen – 66/1

J P McManus has twice tasted Grand National success in relatively recent times, courtesy of the wins of Don’t Push It in 2010, and Minella Times in 2021. The famous owner will be firing a few shots at the prize this time around, with six of the current list of entries set to run in his Green and Gold silks.

Having finished placed in the past two editions, Any Second Now looks the most obvious of the McManus contenders, but he is even higher in the handicap this time around, which won't make life easy. Take a chance instead on Enjoy D’allen from the yard of Ciaran Murphy. This one was sent off at odds of 20/1 here twelve months ago, only to unseat at the very first fence. However, that was an uncharacteristic error from this generally reliable jumper – representing his only non-completion in his 26 starts over obstacles. Notably staying on late in the past two editions of the Irish Grand National over 3m5f, the additional distance here may be in his favour.

Gabbys Cross – 50/1

Henry De Bromhead broke his Grand National duck with the aforementioned Minella Times in 2021, and has four entered this year Ain’t That A Shame (25/1), and Envoi Allen (40/1) are the shortest priced of the quartet, but the one we like best is the eight-year-old Gabbys Cross, who gets in towards the foot of the weights.

Like many in the field, this one will be taking a big step up in trip, having predominantly been campaigned at around 3m of late. Having been staying on well in most of his starts this year - including last time out at Naas when running off this mark of 143 - the extra 1m+ here may well see him in a better light. Having landed a competitive 20-runner chase at Galway last season, the hustle and bustle of this shouldn’t bother him, and he is fancied to run a big race – particularly if regular partner Rachael Blackmore opts to take the ride.

Minella Trump – 66/1

The name McCain will forever be associated with the Grand National, courtesy of legendary trainer Ginger, who guided Red Rum to a record three wins in the race. Ginger's son, Donald, kept the family tradition going with the win of Ballabriggs in 2011, and his sole entry Minella Trump looks an intriguing contender 12 years on.

This son of Shantou continues the theme of runners taking a big step up in trip, but encouragingly is a perfect four from four over 3m, suggesting that stamina may well be his forte. Rising to a mark of 147 following two successive wins last year, it looks interesting that he has been put away since, with only a recent effort over hurdles to his name. The presence of the words Donald and Trump in the same tipping segment may not be the best omen, but other than that, this one looks to have plenty in his favour.

The Big Breakaway – 40/1

Colin Tizzard won many of the top prizes throughout his training career but, despite numerous attempts, never managed to get his hands on this one. Colin handed over the training reins to his son Joe at the end of last season, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise were Joe to go close to a famous success in his debut season.

Flying the flag for the Dorset-based handler is the strapping eight-year-old, The Big Breakaway. This son of Getaway has plenty of classy form on his CV, including placed finishes in Grade 1 events at Kempton and the Cheltenham Festival. Whilst never quite proving up to winning at that level, he may be able to make his presence felt in this handicap affair off a mark of 151. We do have to forgive a no-show in the Ultima Handicap Chase last time out, but prior to that, he had run a stormer to finish second in the Welsh Grand National under 11st13lb. Closing all the way to the line that day, we like his chances of coming home strongly, particularly as he is set to carry a much more manageable 10st10lb in this.

All odds listed are from William Hill who are currently offering each-way terms on the first six finishers.

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