The weights for the 2024 Grand National at Aintree have been released, with 87 horses remaining in the race, including the last two winners, Corach Rambler (2023) and Noble Yeats (2022).
Irish horses have dominated the world’s most famous steeplechase in recent years, winning five of the last seven renewals. There is expected to be a contingent from Ireland once again, as trainers Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins, and Henry De Bromhead all have multiple entries.
Hewick Handed Top Weight by the Handicapper
This season’s King George VI Chase winner Hewick has been handed top weight of 11st 12lb by the handicapper, as he is the highest-rated horse in the race with a rating of 169. The Irish-based horse has had an excellent season so far.
Hewick is expected to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup a month before Aintree where he is +1400 for those placing Cheltenham 2024 bets on the Kempton hero. He will take on defending champion Galopin Des Champs.
Leading Irish rider, Rachael Blackmore, who is +1400 in the Cheltenham top Jockey odds for the meeting, rode Hewick to victory in two races last season. She has been successful in the Gold Cup and the Grand National with A Plus Tard and Minella Times respectively. The Irish woman will be hoping Hewick can help her land those two big events again.
Conflated and Noble Yeats at the Top End of Weights
Irish chasers Conflated (11st 9lb) and Noble Yeats (11st 8lb) are second and third respectively in the Grand National weights. Two-time Grade One winner Conflated will represent Elliott, who has been successful three times in the contest. The 10-year-old is likely to have one more run this season in the Cross Country Chase before he lines up in Liverpool.
Noble Yeats was fourth of 39 runners in his attempt to defend his crown in the Grand National in 2023. The former winner will have 3lb less on his back this year. The last horse to regain the top prize in the Aintree feature was Red Rum in 1977.
Corach Rambler Looking to Enter History Books
Only two horses in the last 50 years have been able to win back-to-back renewals of the Grand National. If Corach Rambler is to join Red Rum and Tiger Roll on that list, he must carry 11st 2lb to victory this time around.
The Scottish-based horse was handed just 10st 5lb in his triumph in 2023, so he has been given an 11lb rise by the handicapper. The 10-year-old has been well beaten on his two outings this season, but his trainer, Lucinda Russell, will be hoping the bigger fences at Aintree will bring the best out of her horse again.
Corach Rambler has been given two entries at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. He is in the field for the Ultima Handicap Chase where he would be bidding to complete a hat-trick in the race if given the chance. The Grand National winner is also in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on day four of the meeting.
The 2024 Grand National takes place on April 13 and it will be the 176th running in history.
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