Aintree Grand National Tips

Grand National 2024 Tips: Timeform's expert verdict

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The runners clear a fence in the Grand National
The Grand National takes centre stage at Aintree on Saturday

Timeform bring you their runner-by-runner guide and 1-2-3 verdict for the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday...

  • Timeform runner-by-runner guide for the 2024 Aintree Grand National

  • Look out for our 'fire' and ice' emojis on the Betfair Exchange!

  • Rachael Blackmore's Serial Winners Fund now on the final straight - read more here!

  • Bet safely on Aintree Grand National Festival - read more here


Rachael Blackmore Superboost



Day one of Aintree saw Betfair's Superboost land as Rachael Blackmore and Bob Olinger finished in the top two on Thursday, and today we are boosting her once again onboard Minella Indo in the Grand National!

You can back Rachael and Minella Indo for a Top 10 finish in the 16:00 today at Aintree at the Superboost price of 2/13.00! (was 5/42.25).

Back Minella Indo to finish in the Top 10 in the 16:00 at Aintree @ 2/13.00

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Grand National
16:00 Aintree, Saturday
Live on ITV

1. Noble Yeats (Emmet Mullins/ Harry Cobden)

Top-class chaser who became the first seven-year-old since 1940 to win this race two years ago and typically displayed bags of stamina when fourth from a 19 lb higher mark 12 months ago. Campaigned over hurdles more recently, winning the Cleeve before midfield in the Stayers' Hurdle last month. Each-way claims again.

2. Nassalam (Gary Moore/ Caoilin Quinn)

Caught the eye when fourth in the Grand Sefton here in November and raised his game in blinkers, emphatically winning the Welsh National over Christmas. Has been hit hard by the assessor as a result and, whilst he's best excused his Gold Cup run, this rates no easy task under a big weight.

3. Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott/ Jordan Gainford)

Likeable grey who has looked better than ever this campaign, landing the Troytown before finishing a good second in the Becher here. He took well to the cross-country course when going in again at Punchestown in February but worth noting he's not stayed in the last two renewals of this race from lower marks.

4. Capodanno (Willie Mullins/ Keith Donoghue)

High-class chaser who got back to winning ways when landing the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase over 25 furlongs at Cheltenham in January and showed similar form despite shaping as if the drop in trip was against him when fourth in the Ryanair over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltemham last month. However, seemingly failed for stamina in this 12 months ago.

5. I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend)

Displayed deep reserves of stamina when taking last season's Irish National. Has taken his form up a notch in landing two of his four starts this time around and was well on top when seeing off Vanillier in the Bobbyjo in February. His jumping tempers enthusiasm to a degree but he possesses the class.

6. Minella Indo (Henry de Bromhead/ Rachael Blackmore)

2021 Gold Cup winner who was well prepared to land a Grade 3 at Punchestown in October on his return from seven months off. Showed similar form when fourth behind Latenightpass in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in December but the suspicion is this 11-year-old will find a few too strong.

7. Corach Rambler (Lucinda Russell/ Derek Fox)

High-class chaser who emulated his stablemate One For Arthur when running out a most impressive winner of this race 12 months ago (Vanillier second). Repeat bid looks to have been his target since and he's well in at the weights following his cracking third in last month's Gold Cup. Lots to like.

8. Janidil (Willie Mullins/ Jody McGarvey)

Won the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran last season but has been largely underwhelming since, including when well beaten in last month's Stayers' Hurdle at the Festival. Stamina has to be a major doubt returned to chasing.

9. Stattler (Willie Mullins/ Mr Patrick Mullins)

Quickly developed into a high-class novice over fences, running out a ready winner of the National Hunt Chase two seasons ago. Has posted tather underwhelming efforts this campaign, though, and didn't really warm to his task when a distant fourth over Cross Country fences at Punchestown in February.

10. Mahler Mission (John McConnell/ Ben Harvey)

Has been an improved model switched to chasing and had his rivals on the stretch when departing two out in last season's National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Proved much sharper for his return when a fine second in the Coral Gold Cup in December, travelling/jumping well. Connections have been keen to keep him fresh for this and he's a big player.

11. Delta Work (Gordon Elliott/ Jack Kennedy)

Did well to finish third here two years ago, and having landed his second consecutive Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham he unseated back here 12 months ago. Should be sharper for a spin in Grade 3 hurdle at Navan in February and no surprise to see a good showing with first-time blinkers enlisted.

12. Foxy Jacks (Mouse Morris/ Gavin Brouder)

Hit the ground running during the second half of last year, landing the Midlands National at Kilbeggan, and he jumped better than is often the case when seeing off Latenightpass in a Cross Country contest at Cheltenham in December. Has been a good fourth over hurdles since but needs to keep the errors to a minimum here.

13. Galvin (Gordon Elliott/ Sam Ewing)

Very smart chaser with a very good record at Cheltenham, enhancing that when runner-up behind stablemate Delta Work in last season's Cross Country Chase. Efforts this winter suggest he retains plenty of ability but worth noting he unseated at the first in this race 12 months ago.

14. Farouk d'Alene (Gordon Elliott/ Donagh Meyler)

Twice successful over fences as a novice, latterly a Grade 2 in early 2022. Hasn't convinced with his jumping in this sphere since, however, and didn't mark himself down as a leading candidate for this race when pulled up in last month's Pertemps at Cheltenham.

15. Eldorado Allen (Joe Tizzard/ Brendan Powell)

Grey who remains capable of smart form on his day over fences, proving as much when fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December. Well beaten having a rare start over hurdles at Plumpton in January and was pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time. Others preferred.

16. Ain't That A Shame (Henry de Bromhead/ Mr David Maxwell)

Seemingly failed for stamina when last of the finishers in this 12 months ago. Never figured on his first two starts this season but got firmly back on track when taking the Thyestes Handicap Chase in January. Stamina remains a concern.

17. Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell/ Sean Flanagan)

Albert Bartlett winner in 2021 who ran a cracker from a long way back when a strong-finishing second to Corach Rambler 12 months ago. Is 9 lb better off with his old rival here and teed himself up for another crack with a good second behind I Am Maximus in the Bobbyjo in February. On the shortlist.

18. Mr Incredible (Willie Mullins/ Brian Hayes)

Has looked quirky but there's no doubting his ability. He was placed in the Classic Chase and Kim Muir last season and was still firmly in the mix when unseating his rider soon after the Canal Turn second time round 12 months ago. Returned with a solid second under a big weight in the Midlands National last month and is not to be underestimated.

19. Run Wild Fred (Gordon Elliott/ Mr Tom Hamilton)

Smart chaser who was runner-up in the 2022 National Hunt Chase but fell in consecutive Nationals (including here) later that season and his record since has been patchy, soon backing out of things when pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham 32 days ago. Others much more persuasive.

20. Latenightpass (Tom Ellis/ Miss Gina Andrews)

Multiple point winner who is well proven over the National fences, landing the 2022 Foxhunters, and he added to his haul in the Cross Country discipline for Dan Skelton at Cheltenham in December. Latest spin over hurdles should have blown the cobwebs away and he is an interesting runner reunited with his former stable.

21. Minella Crooner (Gordon Elliott/ Kevin Sexton)

Useful chaser who made a winning return in a four-runner listed chase at Wexford and showed similar form when third in a Grade 3 at Tramore on New Year's Day. Has struggled since though and was well held in the Ultima Handicap last time and is far from certain to relish this test (was well beaten both starts beyond three miles).

22. Adamantly Chosen (Willie Mullins/ Sean O'Keeffe)

Made the most of a good opportunity when resuming winning ways in a three-and-a-quarter-mile conditions chase at Down Royal last month. Stamina not fully tested at the trip on that occasion and definite reservations as to whether he wants this far. Others preferred.

23. Mac Tottie (Peter Bowen/ James Bowen)

Won two races over the National fences during the 2021/22 campaign and notched another success here over the Mildmay Course on his seasonal reappearance on Boxing Day. Below his best twice since, though, and has stamina to prove upped markedly in trip operating from this career-high mark.

24. Chemical Energy (Gordon Elliott/ Danny Gilligan)

Easy winner of his first two starts over fences and posted a career-best effort when runner-up in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival last term, reeled in late on by Gaillard du Mesnil. However, he didn't get home in the Irish National and has been absent since finishing sixth in the Kerry National last summer. This may just stretch him.

25. Limerick Lace (Gavin Cromwell/ Mark Walsh)

Smart mare who is enjoying a cracking season, winning three times either side of her second in the Troytown (behind Coko Beach), including the Grade 2 Mares' Chase at the Festival last month. Interesting she's the choice of Mark Walsh and looking to be first mare since Nickel Coin in 1951 to take this.

26. Meetingofthewaters (Willie Mullins/ Danny Mullins)

Well-served by the increase in stamina when landing the competitive Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and was quickly over his unfortunate mishap there in February when a cracking third in last month's Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham. Further progress likely for his top stable and one for the shortlist.

27. The Goffer (Gordon Elliott/ Sean Bowen)

Lightly raced this term and shaped better than distance beaten suggests when fifth in the Ultima Handicap at the Festival last month. Possible he'll be sharper with that under his belt and he appeals as being on a workable mark, for all this rates a sterner assignment.

28. Roi Mage (Patrick Griffin/ James Reveley)

Veteran who made a good fist of things having his first crack at these fences when seventh 12 months ago. Enhanced his good record at Compiegne in November and produced another solid effort when second at Down Royal last time, but you have to go back 20 years for the last 12-year-old winner of this race.

29. Glengouly (Willie Mullins/ Michael O'Sullivan)

Lightly-raced front runner who cemented a positive start to the season when a solid second behind Ain't That A Shame in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran in January. Took a strong hold and was ultimately well held in the Plate Handicap at Cheltenham since and he'll need to settle better up markedly in trip.

30. Galia des Liteaux (Dan Skelton/ Harry Skelton)

Low-mileage mare whose three chase victories have come in small fields but showed another dimension to her game when second in the Classic Chase at Warwick over three miles and five furlongs in January. Not at her best at Exeter since but she remains with untapped potential over marathon trips and her yard is enjoying a fine season.

31. Panda Boy (Martin Brassil/ JJ Slevin)

Smart chaser who finished fifth in last season's Irish National and posted a big effort when a staying-on second behind Meetingofthewaters at Leopardstown in December. Solid fourth over hurdles in February and this sort of test looks tailor-made for him. Yard won this with Numbersixvalverde.

32. Eklat de Rire (Henry de Bromhead/ Darragh O'Keeffe)

Lightly raced since unseating in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham three years ago but stepped up on his return when runner-up in a four-runner conditions chase at Fairyhouse in February. Better than being pulled up suggests back at Cheltenham last time but others make much more appeal.

33. Chambard (Venetia Williams/ Miss Lucy Turner)

Ended the 2021/22 campaign with success in the Kim Muir and saw off Coko Beach when landing the Becher Chase over these fences in December. His revised mark has been enough to halt him in competitive contests since, though, and it's best to look elsewhere.

34. Kitty's Light (Christian Williams/ Jack Tudor)

Signed off last season by landing an exceptional hat-trick, winning the Eider Chase, Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup. Has seemingly been brought along with spring targets in mind again, and whilst underfoot conditions may not be ideal, he'd be the most heart-warming of winners. Respected.


Timeform's Analyst Verdict

Claims can be made for plenty in a cracking renewal including low-mileage 8-y-o MAHLER MISSION. Kept fresh since a fine second in the Coral Gold Cup, the way he jumped/travelled that day marked him down as one who will be well served by the demands of this race. Vanillier, second last year, and the improving Meetingofthewaters head the dangers along with last year's hero Corach Rambler who bids to emulate the greats Tiger Roll and Red Rum. Panda Boy and Delta Work complete the shortlist.


Timeform's 1-2-3

1. Mahler Mission
2. Vanillier
3. Meetingofthewaters

Back Mahler Mission @ 17.016/1 on Betfair Exchange

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