Lucinda Russell’s stable star Corach Rambler is the 5/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National with BoyleSports after the final field was declared on Thursday morning.
The ten-year-old bids to become just the fifth horse to record back-to-back victories in the race but punters have begun to desert the market leader and latch on to a formidable Irish challenge.
I Am Maximus leads the Irish charge having been cut into 7/1 from 10/1 in recent days. Last seen winning the Bobbyjo Chase, a race named in honour of the Tommy Carberry-trained winner of both races, I Am Maximus will bid to give Paul Townend his first, and Willie Mullins his second win in the Aintree feature.
The Closutton maestro will field eight runners in the race on Saturday, with Meetingofthewaters and Mr Incredible both seeing significant support. Third in the Ultima at Cheltenham, Meetingofthewaters ticks the boxes for plenty of punters. Mr Incredible has also been clipped into 12/1 with punters latching onto the mudlark with endless stamina.
Noble Yeats, who won the race in 2022 and provided Sam Waley-Cohen with a fairytale ending to his career, tops the weights for Emmet Mullins, while Kitty’s Light sneaks in right down the bottom and would be a hugely popular winner for Christian Williams. The eight-year-old would become just the second Welsh trained winner in Grand National history, following in the hoofsteps of Kirkland in 1905.
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “With 26 Irish horses declared for the feature race on Saturday it’s no surprise that punters are expecting a successful raiding party. Limerick Lace, Mr Incredible and Vanillier have all been well supported, but it’s I Am Maximus that would break the heart of the bookies.”
Current Going
Mildmay/Hurdle courses: Soft, Heavy in places
Grand National course: Heavy, Soft in places
1:20pm William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3m 149y
1 Red Risk (FR) p 9 12 0 Middleham Park Racing XLIV & A&J Ryan Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell (5)
2 Bold Endeavour p 8 11 12 Countrywide Park Homes Ltd Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
3 Monmiral (FR) bl,ts 7 11 12 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
4 West Balboa (IRE) 8 11 9 Bullen-Smith & Faulks Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
5 Chantry House (IRE) bl 10 11 9 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson James Bowen
6 Cuthbert Dibble (IRE) 6 11 8 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
7 Landrake 7 11 5 Hurlers on the Ditch Syndicate Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan
8 Ailie Rose (IRE) 8 11 4 Miss E. Hamilton S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland
9 Johnnywho (IRE) ts 7 11 4 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
10 Floueur (FR) ts 9 11 1 M Hammond,Moorland Racing,Menzies AM LTD Rebecca Menzies Tabitha Worsley (3)
11 Johnson's Blue (IRE) 7 11 0 Geoff Wilson and Cambridge Racing Mark Walford Jamie Hamilton
12 Fine Margin (IRE) 7 10 12 Mr P. Davies W. P. Mullins Ireland Brian Hayes
13 J'Ai Froid (IRE) v 11 10 11 Dream Team Partnership L J Morgan John Kington
14 Black Bamboo (IRE) 7 10 10 Threedownoneup Syndicate John Joseph Murphy Ireland Sean Flanagan
15 Honor Grey (IRE) bl 9 10 10 Mr & Mrs J Tuttiett Ben Pauling Ben Jones
16 Ramo (FR) 7 10 9 C B Compton & L Di Franco Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
17 Gwennie May Boy (IRE) 6 10 8 Ms Gwendoline M Clarke Dan Skelton Charlie Todd
18 Classic Concorde (IRE) p 11 10 7 Mr David Brace David Brace Connor Brace
19 Lord Snootie (IRE) 7 10 7 Lord Snootie and his pals Christian Williams Jack Tudor
20 Storm Nelson (IRE) 11 10 4 Mr I. Holt Olly Williams Charlie Hammond
21 Seefin (IRE) 7 10 3 Crowe Brothers Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell (3)
22 Russian Ruler (IRE) p 7 10 2 Unique Financial Racing Partnership Nicky Henderson
1:55pm Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
1 Bugise Seagull (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr Grant Leon Charlie Longsdon Sean Bowen
2 Caldwell Potter (FR) 6 11 7 Ferguson, Mason, Hales & Done Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
3 Esprit du Potier (FR) 5 11 7 The Four Lushes Lucinda Russell Derek Fox
4 Ile Atlantique (FR) 6 11 7 Tony Bloom W. P. Mullins Ireland
5 Jimmy du Seuil (FR) 5 11 7 Mr Edward J. Ware W. P. Mullins Ireland
6 Josh The Boss ts 5 11 7 Mr J. D. Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Jamie Neild
7 Mahon's Way (IRE) 6 11 7 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
8 Staffordshire Knot (IRE) p 6 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Sam Ewing
9 Brighterdaysahead (FR) 5 11 0 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack Kennedy
2:30pm William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 210y
1 Fugitif (FR) ts 9 12 0 Mr Carl Hinchy & Dr Emad Hussain Richard Hobson Gavin Sheehan
2 Sam Brown v,ts 12 12 0 Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball Freddie Gingell (5)
3 Twig 9 11 7 Mrs G. Morgan Ben Pauling Beau Morgan (5)
4 Kinondo Kwetu ts 8 11 4 Gunalt Partnership Sam England Jonathan England
5 Crebilly (IRE) 7 11 3 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
6 Kilbeg King (IRE) ts 9 11 0 M.R.Chapman, E.Jones & H.Kingston Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies
7 Falco Blitz (IRE) 10 10 13 Mr Shane Carmody Eric McNamara Ireland Conor McNamara
8 Erne River (IRE) p 9 10 11 Crossed Fingers Partnership Nick Kent Charlie Hammond
9 The King of Ryhope 8 10 11 Spectre Racing - The King Of Ryhope Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
10 Forward Plan (IRE) ts 8 10 11 The Steeple Chasers Anthony Honeyball Ben Godfrey (3)
11 Cruz Control (FR) ts 7 10 10 Mr F Green and Mr J Chinn Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard
12 Now Where Or When (IRE) ts, p 9 10 6 Mrs Margaret McCrudden S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland
13 Demnat (FR) 7 10 4 Mr P. Davies Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
3:05pm JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 149y
1 Botox Has (FR) p 8 11 10 John and Yvonne Stone Gary Moore Caoilin Quinn
2 Buddy One (IRE) 7 11 10 E. Lynch/T.C.Quinn/John J. McGrath Paul John Gilligan Ireland Jack G. Gilligan
3 Champ (IRE) p 12 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
4 Crambo ts 7 11 10 Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke
5 Dashel Drasher 11 11 10 Mrs B Tully and Mr R Lock Jeremy Scott Rex Dingle
6 Flooring Porter (IRE) ts 9 11 10 Flooring Porter Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland Keith Donoghue
7 Hewick (IRE) p 9 11 10 Mr T. J. McDonald John Joseph Hanlon Ireland Jordan Gainford
8 Hiddenvalley Lake (IRE) 7 11 10 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
9 Monkfish (IRE) 10 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland P. Townend
10 Proschema (IRE) 9 11 10 Empire State Racing Partnership Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
11 Sire du Berlais (FR) bl,ts 12 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott Ireland Mark Walsh
12 Strong Leader 7 11 10 Welfordgolf syndicate Olly Murphy Sean Bowen
4.00pm Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4m 2f 74y
1 Noble Yeats (IRE) ts, p 9 11 12 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Emmet Mullins Ireland Harry Cobden
2 Nassalam (FR) bl 7 11 8 John and Yvonne Stone Gary Moore Caoilin Quinn
3 Coko Beach (FR) bl 9 11 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jordan Gainford
4 Capodanno (FR) ts 8 11 8 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland Keith Donoghue
5 I Am Maximus (FR) 8 11 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland P. Townend
6 Minella Indo (IRE) 11 11 6 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
7 Corach Rambler (IRE) ts 10 11 6 The Ramblers Lucinda Russell Derek Fox
8 Janidil (FR) ts, p 10 11 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland Jody McGarvey
9 Stattler (IRE) ts 9 11 5 Mr R. A. Bartlett W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr P. W. Mullins
10 Mahler Mission (IRE) ts 8 11 5 Colm Herron & Rockview Racing Syndicate John McConnell Ireland Ben Harvey
11 Delta Work (FR) bl,ts 11 11 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack Kennedy
12 Foxy Jacks (IRE) p 10 11 4 Ms Rachel Carthy M. F. Morris Ireland Gavin Brouder
13 Galvin (IRE) 10 11 2 Mr R. A. Bartlett Gordon Elliott Ireland Sam Ewing
14 Farouk d'Alene (FR) 9 11 1 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Donagh Meyler
15 Eldorado Allen (FR) ts 10 11 0 J P Romans & Terry Warner Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell
16 Ain't That A Shame (IRE) 10 10 13 Mr David Maxwell Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr David Maxwell
17 Vanillier (FR) ts, p 9 10 12 Mrs H. M. Keaveney Gavin Cromwell Ireland Sean Flanagan
18 Mr Incredible (IRE) 8 10 11 Paul Byrne, J. Carthy & Patrick O'Brien W. P. Mullins Ireland Brian Hayes
19 Run Wild Fred (IRE) bl 10 10 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr T. Hamilton
20 Latenightpass 11 10 10 Mrs P. A. Ellis Tom Ellis Miss Gina Andrews
21 Minella Crooner (IRE) p 8 10 10 KTDA Racing/Nick Courtney/Cillian Moran Gordon Elliott Ireland Kevin Sexton
22 Adamantly Chosen (IRE) 7 10 9 Watch This Space Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland Sean O'Keeffe
23 Mac Tottie ts 11 10 9 Steve & Jackie Fleetham Peter Bowen James Bowen
24 Chemical Energy (IRE) 8 10 9 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Danny Gilligan
25 Limerick Lace (IRE) 7 10 8 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell Ireland Mark Walsh
26 Meetingofthewaters (IRE) h 7 10 8 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland Daniel Mullins
27 The Goffer (IRE) ts 7 10 8 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland Sean Bowen
28 Roi Mage (FR) 12 10 8 Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin Ireland James Reveley
29 Glengouly (FR) 8 10 7 Roaringwater Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland M. J. M. O'Sullivan
30 Galia des Liteaux (FR) p 8 10 7 Mr Michael Ariss Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
31 Panda Boy (IRE) p 8 10 7 Old Pals Partnership Martin Brassil Ireland J. J. Slevin
32 Eklat de Rire (FR) 10 10 7 Mr P. Davies Henry de Bromhead Ireland Darragh O'Keeffe
33 Chambard (FR) 12 10 7 David & Carol Shaw Venetia Williams Miss Lucy Turner
34 Kitty's Light ts, p 8 10 7 R J Bedford & All Stars Sports Racing Christian Williams Jack Tudor
5:00pm My Pension Expert Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 176y
1 Djelo (FR) 6 11 7 Mr P. Davies Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
2 Etalon (IRE) ts 7 11 7 Mrs Suzanne Lawrence Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
3 Found A Fifty (IRE) 7 11 7 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack Kennedy
4 Hercule du Seuil (FR) h,ts 7 11 7 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland Mark Walsh
5 Libberty Hunter 8 11 7 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams Harry Cobden
6 Master Chewy (IRE) 7 11 7 Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Bellamy
7 Matata (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
8 Nickle Back (IRE) h 8 11 7 The Friday Lunch Club Sarah Humphrey James Best
9 Quilixios 7 11 7 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
10 Silent Approach (IRE) 6 11 0 Mrs Con O'Keeffe/Tadhg O'Sullivan Con O'Keeffe Ireland Daniel Mullins
5:35pm Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 209y
1 Castle Ivers (IRE) 5 11 4 Bective Stud Olly Murphy Sean Bowen
2 Electric Mason (IRE) 5 11 4 Mrs Nicola Morris Chris Gordon Rex Dingle
3 Good And Clever (IRE) 5 11 4 Velocity Racing NH Warren Greatrex James Bowen
4 Got A Dream (IRE) 5 11 4 Bradley Partnership Nicky Martin Sean Houlihan
5 Horaces Pearl (FR) 6 11 4 Matt & Sally Burford Fergal O'Brien Connor Brace
6 I'm A Lumberjack 5 11 4 This Time Next Year Partnership Alan King Tom Cannon
7 Leech (FR) 5 11 4 Mr David M. Williams Evan Williams Conor Ring
8 Malicash (IRE) 5 11 4 Mrs Karen Spark Ewan Whillans Craig Nichol
9 Ma Shantou (IRE) 5 11 4 Mighty Acorn Stables Emma Lavelle Tom Bellamy
10 Mister Meggit (IRE) 6 11 4 Hemmings Racing Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
11 No Questions Asked (IRE) 6 11 4 Newton Ldp Ltd Ben Pauling Ben Jones
12 Step Out (IRE) ts 5 11 4 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland
13 Tom Doniphon (FR) 5 11 4 Gwent Holdings Limited Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Micheal Nolan
14 Tripoli Flyer (IRE) 5 11 4 Mr Ismail El Magdoub Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan
15 Valgrand (FR) 5 11 4 HIghclere Thoroughbred Racing - Grand Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
16 Wellington Arch 5 11 4 Mr M J Gaskell Jonjo O'Neill Richie McLernon
17 Small Town Hero (IRE) 4 10 10 Phil Cunningham Christian Williams Jack Tudor
18 Sorceleur (FR) 4 10 10 John White & Anne Underhill Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
19 Tailorman (FR) 4 10 10 Mr S. Mondair Ian Williams Charlie Todd