It’s the most lucrative steeplechase race on the planet.
The Grand National is back at the UK’s Aintree Racecourse on April 13, with the full list of runners and riders now revealed.
The official ratings confirm which of the horses will carry the top weights, so here’s a look at the top ten in the Grand National field for 2024.
Hewick
The last time that a top weight won the Grand National was way back in 1977, when the legendary Red Rum completed his hat-trick of wins.
It’s doubtful that Hewick is a horse on a par with such an icon of the sport, which perhaps explains why he is priced at +3300 for those placing horse racing bets on the Grand National – there are at least 20 horses considered to have a better chance, including I Am Maximus (+1000) and Vanillier (+1000).
Conflated
The pundits and the betting market are similarly downcast on the chances of Conflated, who will have a sizable 11st 9lb handicap to carry.
He has unseated his rider in his last two outings, and was pulled up at Aintree in the Bowl Chase after finding the pace too tough to handle.
Noble Yeats
The winner of the 2022 Grand National, Noble Yeats has the class to win this race.
Curiously, his two runs during the 2023-24 season have been over hurdles, which are much smaller obstacles than those faced in the Grand National. So, it remains to be seen if Noble Yeats will be ‘match fit’.
Nassalam
There are races which act as handy indicators for the Grand National, and Nassalam won one of those in December.
French horse Nassalam cruises to victory in the 2023 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow 🏆 #BBCHorseRacing https://t.co/Pkv5kSGam4
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 27, 2023
He triumphed in the Welsh Grand National on heavy ground at Chepstow, carrying just 1lb less than he will at the Aintree showpiece in April.
Coko Beach
A two-time Grand National veteran, Coko Beach has a best finish of eighth in the race.
The nine-year-old ran nicely on the Grand National course at Aintree when second in the Becher Chase in December, so he could be one to watch.
Capodanno
Pulled up at the 2023 Grand National after finding the pace too strong, Capodanno has since shown stronger form.
He was third in a classy Savills Chase renewal in December, before following that up with victory in the Cotswold Chase in January.
I Am Maximus
One of the ante-post favorites, I Am Maximus will carry a manageable weight of 11st 2lb at the Grand National.
Although making his debut in the race, the horse produced a staying on performance over three miles when winning the Bobbyjo Chase last time out.
Minella Indo
A Cheltenham Gold Cup champion, Minella Indo clearly has the pedigree to win major races.
Minella Indo leads them home in the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 19, 2021
🏆 @HenrydeBromhead has won the 'Holy Trinity' at the Cheltenham Festival with a one-two finish!#ITVRacing#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/ndc7njTGvO
He showed a penchant for steeplechasing when fourth, while carrying top weight, in December’s Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
Corach Rambler
The defending champion, Corach Rambler will have to defy a 10lb weight rise if he is to go back-to-back at Aintree.
He’s also not had a sniff of winning in two outings during the 2023-24 season.
Ash Tree Meadow
Another Aintree debutant, Ash Tree Meadow has never run further than three miles before.
But he has won three of his last four outings, which confirms that he will go to Aintree in good form.
Which of these horses, if any, will win the 2024 Grand National?
Keep up with today’s horse racing results via Racing Post.
Keep your eyes peeled for the latest Grand National results.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos