This year’s Randox Grand National Handicap Chase will be slightly different.
The BHA have implemented new rules on the great race, the first of which is reducing the field size. Previously 40 runners would go to post, now there will be 34 runners. Secondly, the first fence on the Grand National course has been brought closer to the start.
Officials believe this will make a safer passage for horses and riders following a number of fallers at the first obstacle in previous years.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that the entries for the race have attracted another classy lineup, let's sieve through some of the contenders for the 2024 renewal…
Last year’s winner CORACH RAMBLER is the obvious starting point. A brilliant winner when defying favouritism (Tote Win £9) last term, he has taken a different path this season in returning to defend his Grand National crown.
Returning at Kelso in October before being third in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, the 10-year-old came to the boil in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Being delivered from the rear in trademark style under Derek Fox, Lucinda Russell’s charge was just getting going up the Cheltenham hill and passed several of his classy but toiling rivals.
That Cotswolds effort should put him spot on for his Aintree assignment. He will be lining up of a official rating of 159 this time round (13lbs higher than last year), but he still looks dangerous off that mark and will be fancied to repeat last year’s success.
If you want one at a bigger price and a young, improver with slightly more upside, then perhaps MAHLER MISSION is for you.
Irish trainer John McConnell has campaigned the son of Mahler in the U.K. with the eight-year-old appearing at Carlisle (second in the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase) in early November before a bold bid when second in the Coral Gold Cup in December.
Not seen since, the four-time rules winner lines up off the inflated mark of 158. Stable form would be a worry after McConnell’s cold spell with U.K. runners but his gelding boasts an ideal profile for this race and features one of the strongest formlines on show.
For all Willie Mullins has conquered at Cheltenham, somewhat surprisingly, he has only managed to train the winner of the Grand National once.
Two of the Closutton maestro’s leading challengers this year will don the colours of J.P McManus, firstly I AM MAXIMUS.
The former is a headstrong, proven stayer, following his victory in last year’s Irish Grand National and will definitely be a suitor of the soft or worse ground conditions.
It’s hard to believe the eight-year-old started out life with Nicky Henderson as a bumper winner and only broke his maiden over fences almost a year ago to the day.
Jody McGarvey has struck a good partnership with the son of Authorised this season, winning two chases including the Grade Two Tote.ie Bobbyjo last time, but whoever is in the plate will need to earn every penny of their riding fee to coerce this character over the birch of the National fences.
As a Leopardstown winner of a competitive handicap over Christmas, MEETINGOFTHEWATERS threw his hat into the ring.
A graduate of the Paul Byrne academy, this seven-year-old has to be treated with respect. Following a disappointing early unseat at the Dublin Racing Festival he confirmed big race promise with a stellar third in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival, despite lacking jumping fluency and giving weight away to both his rivals in the frame.
Still somewhat unexposed and unpenalised for his recent impressive run, he could strike whilst the iron is hot.
Of the others trained by Mullins, MR INCREDIBLE returns after a stroke of bad fortune last year. He was going well when the saddle slipped at the 24th fence; he's recently returned under usual rider Brian Hayes to catch the eye when second in the Midlands National.
CAPODANNO also ran in the race last year under Tote Ambassador Danny Mullins. A full and proper preparation this year should stand him in good stead after proving a liking for the National fences last term. The winner of the Cotswold Chase in January didn’t do his chances any harm with an excellent run in the Ryanair Chase (4th) at the Cheltenham Festival last month, and could be one that is well supported on the day.
Harry Cobden has landed the plum ride on 2022 victor NOBLE YEATS. Emmet Mullins revealed earlier this month that championship chasing jockey would partner the Waley-Cohen owned nine-year-old after the pair combined to score the Cleeve Hurdle in January.
Perhaps in the hands of the handicapper off the mark of 165, he’s one you’d rather have on your side in the Placepot with his compelling CV. He was fourth in the 2023 running but there is an angle for improvement due to his strange campaigning over hurdles this season.
Sadly there won’t be a large and meaningful British challenge away from the Scottish-trained favourite. Gary Moore’s NASSALAM has to be top of the list for the home team.
A bloodless winner of the Welsh Grand National on borderline unraceable ground, the seven-year-old is set to be suited by the ever worsening conditions at the Liverpool track.
The Skelton team are next in with their improving mare GALIA DES LITEAUX. The eight-year-old held her own in Graded company as a novice last term and has since scored black type, scoring a listed Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen in November.
She showcased her appetite for staying when second in the Classic Chase in January, just denied by half a length despite giving over a stone away to the eventual victory My Silver Lining.
The only slight worry would be her disappointing last run at Exeter when she was beaten at a short price, the former Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase winner (Heavy) should be another that relishes conditions.
Last in of the Brits that are guaranteed a run is LATENIGHTPASS for Champion point-to-point trainer Tom Ellis.
Fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters last term, this 11-year-old veteran has been excellent this season, running twice in Cross Country races at Cheltenham, justifying favouritism in the December renewal to be a four-length winner.
Lining up off the inflated mark of 149, time will tell if the elder statesman is still up to contending a race of this nature.
Last of all, Gavin Cromwell’s runners are worth a second look. Starting with LIMERICK LACE, she was a good winner of the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham last time.
JP McManus’ starlet was second in the Troytown Chase in November. She’s shown she thrives on softer and heavy ground, she can’t be taken likely - 147 doesn’t look like the ceiling of her ability.
Others may prefer the tried and tested angle with last year’s runner-up VANILLIER, who will be shorter price. Cromwell has reported several times that the grey is hard to get race fit but seems happy with the amount of work he’s done in preparation for this year’s race.
To Sean Flanagan’s despair, perhaps his time to strike passed with last year’s race.
Selections
CAPODANNO - Win & Place
MAHLER MISSION - Win & Place
LIMERICK RACE - Win & Place
MAHLER MISSION, CAPODANNO, CORACH RAMBLER, MEETINGOFTHEWATERS, LIMERICK LACE - Combination Trifecta
