Aintree favourites must defy history to win Grand National

One of the big winners from March's Cheltenham Festival must break a well-established Grand National trend if they are to justify favouritism for the famous Aintree race.

horse racing steeplechase © Image by annca from Pixabay
One of the big winners from March's Cheltenham Festival must break a well-established Grand National trend if they are to justify favouritism for the famous Aintree race.

A number of horses enjoyed a successful Festival but winning there has proven something of a poisoned chalice when it comes to the Grand National, given only three horses since 1961 have successfully followed up their Cheltenham wins with a National victory in the same season.

Assuming this trend continues, it means current favourite Corach Rambler can be ruled out of contention, alongside both Delta Work and Gaillard Du Mesnil who are also prominent in the latest betting. So where does that leave us in terms of alternatives? Experts at Grandnational.org.uk have revealed three ante post tips to consider:

Noble Yeats

Many will remember Noble Yeats upsetting the odds last year to win the 2022 Grand National, and he'll return to Aintree as a horse in form. He has raced well throughout the season, and stayed on gallantly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so could well justify his position of 8/1 second favourite.

Any Second Now

If you're looking for a horse with previous Grand National form, then Any Second Now is surely the way to go. Third in 2021 and second in 2022, he'll head to Aintree off the back of a win at Navan.

Longhouse Poet

Longhouse Poet was well placed to win the Grand National last year, before fading two fences from home and eventually finishing sixth. Others might have taken the headlines at Cheltenham last month, but Longhouse Poet secured a win of his own at Down Royal, so is worthy of his place on any shortlist, especially while odds of 20/1 hold.