This time last year, I had just picked up my wedding dress and was putting final touches to the Big Day when I sat down to watch the Grand National. Beautiful as our wedding day was, I’m not sorry not to be doing it all again this year – so much ADMIN. We have new and exciting challenges to face this year, and again the racing has provided a welcome break from paperwork and planning.
Cheltenham, as ever, provided a thrill-filled week off and gave us some interesting food for thought for this weekend’s big race at Aintree. Without further ado, here are my ten picks for the 2024 Grand National…
Corach Rambler: last year’s Grand National winner is carrying 13-lb more than in 2023, but is following up on a third place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup that trainer Lucinda Russell considered the perfect run before the Grand National;
Foxy Jacks: won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in November for previous National-winning trainer Mouse Morris on good-to-soft going;
I Am Maximus: a well-handicapped runner from the never-out-of-form Willie Mullins yard, the eight year-old won the 2023 Irish Grand National and recently ran a blinder on soft-to-heavy ground to beat fellow contender Vanillier by 14 lengths;
Limerick Lace: a young contender at seven years-old, though this is no longer the curse it used to be. She likes soft going and has had three good wins in four runs this season, most recently in the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival;
Mahler Mission: an unfortunate fall at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival scuppered a strong run in the National Hunt Chase, but likes the going and has been preparing for the National since a good second in the Coral Gold Cup in December.
Meetingofthewaters: another from the Mullins team, well-backed for this following a good win in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December and a pleasing third place in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham;
Mr Incredible: always in contention and second place in March’s Midlands Grand National on heavy ground. Another entry from Willie Mullins and sure to be a popular choice;
Nassalam: Welsh Grand National winner by an astonishing 34 lengths – enough said (although nearly top-weighted as a consequence);
Noble Yeats: the 2022 winner is top weight, but came a good fourth last year despite carrying similar so knows and likes the course;
Vanillier: last year’s runner-up has had the same preparation in the countdown to the 2024 Grand National, and is carrying nine pounds less than his rival Corach Rambler this year so likely to be a good contender.
Of course, there always has to be a ‘name pick’: mine this year is Coko Beach, which just so happens to have been almost exactly where we spent our honeymoon. And even as the race follows a more ‘predictable’ path than in past years, it’s still the race that is very much anyone’s game.
Nevertheless, a constant theme to the Grand National in recent years has been the changes made to the race – inevitably bringing it more closely into line with other National Hunt races throughout the year. In an attempt to make the race ‘safer’ (and pacify the nay-sayers), there will only be 34 runners. Further, the first fence has been moved and the start time pulled forward.
Such alterations are never going to shut down the criticisms of those who dislike the race – and certainly not the shouting of the animal rights mob. Nonetheless, the hope of all who love the race is that all the runners and riders come home safely.
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