Grand National runners: Horse-by-horse preview and tips

By David Ord

Horse Racing

Sat April 15, 2023 · 2y ago

The final field has been declared for the Randox Grand National and you can check out our horse-by-horse guide to all 40 runners.

Randox Grand National

When: 5.15, Saturday April 15
Where: Aintree Racecourse
First prize: £500,000
TV: ITV & Racing TV (Sky 426)
Racecards & FREE video form
| |

THE BIG DOG

He’s not you know, instead a very tough, talented and reliable staying chaser. He’s won a National in Munster, finished third in one in Wales but if he’s to win the Grandest of them all, he’ll need to avoid making the odd mistake that he’s prone to.

Red Rum rating: 🍷🍷

CAPODANNO

Had a setback in the autumn but top connections decided to swerve Cheltenham and have a tilt at this once they saw the weights. He’s a bit light on experience over fences but then again so was Noble Yeats last year. If he takes to the place he’ll just about win.

Red Rum rating: 🍷🍷🍷🍷

DELTA WORK

Owned by Michael O’Leary, trained by Gordon Elliott and the winner of the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase. He’s not Tiger Roll but is a very plausible Randox Grand National winner for the same team minus Davy Russell. Who is still out of retirement as I type this.

Red Rum rating: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

SAM BROWN

Not sure if he’s named after the ‘blue-eyed soul and jazz singer, and ukulele and piano player’ but I hope he is. She burned bright in the late 1980s, unleashing six singles (kids ask your dad) but her equine namesake has more longevity. And a fair bit to find in this.

Red Rum rating: 🍷

LIFETIME AMBITION

Would be a popular winner for Jessie Harrington but got tired late on when fourth in the Grand Sefton over these fences in November and has another mile and five furlongs to run on Saturday. Hope he’s got plenty of miles into the legs at home.

Red Rum rating: 🍷🍷

CAREFULLY SELECTED

Had nearly two years off the track but won at Gowran in January and shaped well in the Bobbyjo too. A player for Team Mullins.

Red Rum rating: 🍷🍷🍷

COKO BEACH

He’s grey and cut a fine sight out in front for much of last year’s race. He didn’t stay – nor did he in the Irish National previously. If you like to back a horse you’ll get to see a lot during the race on ITV then you could do a lot worse. If you want one who’s in front on ITV at the winning post, you could do a lot better.

Red Rum rating: 🍷

Click here to download the Sporting Life Grand National sweepstake kit

LONGHOUSE POET

Travelled serenely through last year’s race but the petrol tank emptied, and creative juices dried up late on as he tired into sixth. He’s dusting off the cravat for another go and Hedgehunter won the Nash having appeared not to stay the previous year. There’s always that.

Red Rum rating: 🍷🍷🍷

Sky Bet's Grand National Specials

What will the Grand National race winning distance be?

Under 2.25 lengths - 13/8
2.25 Lengths to 5.75 lengths inclusive - 7/4
Over 5.75 lengths - 13/8

GAILLARD DU MESNIL

Not a frequent winner but did land the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time. He might have been lucky there, might have had too hard a race to back it up and be on song in the National, but he might just have the right mix of class and stamina to win a National too. You pays your money, you takes your choice.

Red Rum rating: 🍷🍷🍷

CONCLUSION

A fascinating National and I couldn’t put anyone off Corach Rambler or Le Milos among the home team. But the Irish raiding party will be hard to repel. Capodanno and Ain’t That A Shame are two Aintree newcomers who are fancied to go close but preference is for DELTA WORK who ran a cracker to be third last year and arrives off the back of another Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase win at Cheltenham.

1. DELTA WORK

2. Capodanno

3. Corach Rambler

4. Ain’t That A Shame

5. Le Milos

Our full Grand National coverage

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at and .