Grand National Day tips and race previews

The biggest day in the horse racing calendar is once again upon us, with the 2024 Randox Grand National taking place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on Saturday 13th April. 

With around 7.5 million people expected to tune into the big race on ITV Racing, everyone up and down the country from the postman to your nan will be looking to have a bet on the world’s most famous steeplechase. 

This year’s renewal will signal the dawn of a new era, with the number of runners reduced to 34 horses from the traditional 40 for the first time as part of a review into horse welfare.

The horse everyone will have to beat is the Lucinda Russell-trained Corach Rambler, who was a fantastic winner 12 months ago and is all the rage in the betting as he bids to become the second horse after Tiger Roll to win back-to-back renewals of the National this century.

The Grand National is one of just seven races on an action-packed race card at Aintree and with so much to digest, we’ve put together the very best Grand National Day 3 tips together for you in this handy guide. 

Grand National Day 3 race schedule 
There’s no doubting the fact that the Grand National is the big draw on Day 3 of the Aintree Festival, but it forms just one part of a stellar seven race card on Saturday.

With the National pushed forward an hour or so to around 4pm this year, the big race will be preceded by two Grade 1 races, before another top level contest in the penultimate race. 

One race to note is the Grade 1 JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle over slightly further than three miles, which regularly features the key players from the previous month’s Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and will see Teahupoo bid for a Grade 1 double for Gordon Elliott. 

Time
Race 
Distance
Type

13.20
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
3m½f 
Hurdle

13.55
Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2m4f
Hurdle

14.30
William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
3m1f
Chase

15.05
JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
3m½f
Hurdle

16.00
Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (National Course)
4m2½f 
Chase

17.00
My Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
2m
Chase

17.35
Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2)
2m1f
Bumper

Grand National Day tips and predictions
The Grand National is the biggest race of the year in betting terms and millions of people will be heading to their horse racing bookmakers to place a bet on the feature. 

With 34 runners to choose from and at least four places on offer depending on who you wager with, it’s common practice to have more than one punt on the big race. 

With that in mind, we’ve picked out three horses who we think could be worth siding with in the Grand National, with expert analysis and reasoning for you below. 

Randox Grand National Chase tips
All eyes will be on Corach Rambler as he bids to become just the second horse to win back-to-back renewals of the Grand National this century and he’s a worthy favourite, having finished a fine third in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. He faces a tough task raised 13lbs in the weights though and preference is for the improving I Am Maximus, who lines up off the same mark. 

Last year’s Irish Grand National winner has enjoyed another fine campaign this term, winning a Grade 1 novice at Fairyhouse in December before losing little in defeat on two occasions behind the subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs. 

The eight-year-old looked tailormade for this race when sweeping clear of last year’s Grand National runner-up Vanillier (when giving him weight) in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, a race which has often proven to be a key pointer for this. Willie Mullins looks to have a fabulous hand as he bids to add to his victory with Hedgehunter in 2005 and it looks worth backing I Am Maximus to win the 2024 Grand National at 7-1 at the time of writing. 

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Another horse from Closutton who it looks worth getting on side is I Am Maximus’ stablemate Mr Incredible, who makes plenty of appeal each-way at around 12-1. The eight-year-old has been putting in a string of stamina-laden performances in competitive staying chases over the last couple of years, including when a fine second in tough conditions in last month’s Midlands National at Uttoxeter.

That run came on the back of a break and he ought to be fresher here as he looks to improve on his effort in last year’s National, when unseating at the Canal Turn on the second lap. Mr Incredible was unlucky to part with his rider on that occasion and he had been both jumping and travelling well that day, meaning he’s worth another chance here. 

With stamina very much looking his forte, it would be no surprise to see him right in the mix in the finish on Saturday, off just 5lbs higher than his run last year. 

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Lastly, it could be worth chancing Chambard each-way at a massive price. The 12-year-old is well into the veteran stage of his career now, but he represents a Grand National-winning yard in Venetia Williams and won the Becher Chase over these fences in attritional conditions back in December. 

Chambard will need some luck if he’s to get into the race – he faces a ballot alongside Eklat De Rire and Kitty’s Light as it stands – but he’s a strong stayer with a proven ability over these fences. 

The veteran won’t be found wanting if this turns into a war of attrition late on and he arrives here on the back of a solid run in a hot renewal of the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham last month. Provided that you can get yourself ‘non-runner, no bet’ on the Grand National, it looks worth having a small each-way bet on Chambard at 100-1 in the race. 

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Grand National Chase prize money
Considering that it’s the world’s most famous steeplechase, it should be no surprise to learn that the Grand National is one of the most lucrative events in jumps racing. 

With a total of £1 million in the prize pot, the money is divided up as follows:

First Place: £500,000
Second Place: £200,000
Third Place: £100,000
Fourth Place: £65,000
Fifth Place: £40,000
Sixth Place: £30,000
Seventh Place: £20,000
Eighth Place: £15,000
Ninth Place: £10,000
Tenth Place: £5,000.

Grand National Chase jockey overview
The Grand National fences offer one of the most difficult and unique tests in horse racing, meaning that you have a big advantage if your jockey has tasted success previously on Aintree’s world-famous National Course. 

With the vast majority of Grand National-winning riders no longer in the saddle, we’ve listed every jockey that’s still active who has won the Grand National for you below. 

Derek Fox – 2 wins (One For Arthur 2017, Corach Rambler 2023)
Rachael Blackmore – 1 win (Minella Times 2021)
Ryan Mania – 1 win (Auroras Encore 2013)
Daryl Jacob – 1 win (Neptune Collonges 2012)

Grand National Chase trainer overview
We could have as many as 18 different yards represented in this year’s Grand National depending on how the final field pans out and within that, there are eight yards who have won the race in the past. 

We’ve listed each trainer with a runner in the 34 at the time of writing that have won the race previously for you below. 

Gordon Elliott 

Three winners: Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019)
Nine runners: Galvin 33-1, Delta Work 33-1, Chemical Energy 40-1, Coko Beach 40-1, Conflated 66-1, Farouk D’alene 66-1, The Goffer 66-1, Minella Crooner 80-1, Run Wild Fred 100-1

Lucinda Russell 

Two winners: One For Arthur (2017) and Corach Rambler (2023)
One runner: Corach Rambler 5-1

Willie Mullins 

One winner: Hedgehunter (2005)
Eight runners: I Am Maximus 7-1, Meetingofthewaters 10-1, Mr Incredible 12-1, Capodanno 33-1, Stattler 40-1, Adamantly Chosen 50-1, Glengouly 66-1, Janidil 100-1

Henry De Bromhead 

One winner: Minella Times (2021)
Three runners: Minella Indo 20-1, Ain’t That A Shame 66-1, Eklat De Rire 100-1

Emmet Mullins

One winner: Noble Yeats (2022)
One runner: Noble Yeats 20-1

Mouse Morris

One winner: Rule The World (2016)
One runner: Foxy Jacks 66-1

Martin Brassil

One winner: Numbersixvalverde (2006)
Two runners: Panda Boy 14-1, Desertmore House 40-1 (Needs three to come out)

Venetia Williams

One winner: Mon Mome (2009)
One runner: Chambard 100-1

Grand National Chase previous winners
There have been some fantastic recent winners of the Grand National including the great Tiger Roll, who became the first horse since Red Rum to win the Grand National more than once when winning the race for the second time in 2019. 

We’ve listed the last 10 winners of the Randox Grand National for you below, along with the age that the horse was at the time of the victory. Please note that the 2020 renewal was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Age

2023
Corach Rambler
Derek Fox
Lucinda Russell
9

2022
Noble Yeats
Sam Waley-Cohen
Emmet Mullins
7

2021
Minella Times
Rachael Blackmore
Henry De Bromhead
8

2019
Tiger Roll
Davy Russell
Gordon Elliott
9

2018
Tiger Roll
Davy Russell
Gordon Elliott
8

2017
One For Arthur
Derek Fox
Lucinda Russell
8

2016
Rule The World
David Mullins
Mouse Morris
9

2015
Many Clouds
Leighton Aspell
Oliver Sherwood
8

2014
Pineau De Re
Leighton Aspell
Dr Richard Newland
11

2013
Auroras Encore
Ryan Mania
Sue Smith
11

William Hill Handicap Hurdle tips
We begin Saturday’s card with a fiendishly difficult handicap hurdle over an extended three miles, which has been won by the favourite in three of the last five renewals. Keeping an eye on any market movers between now and race day afternoon is essential, though you can do worse than siding with last year’s winner West Balboa. 

Dan Skelton has won this two of the last four renewals and West Balboa appeals as the latest from his yard to have been tenderly campaigned with a big pot in mind – though he will require a lot of luck to get in as it stands. 

With that in mind, it could be worth also having a play on last month’s Pertemps winner Monmiral, who looks as though he could finally be living up to what he promised earlier in his career and could well shrug off a 6lbs rise in the weights by going in again. 

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Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle tips
You have to go all the way back to 1984 to find the last Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner to follow up in this race, but Slade Steel can buck that trend for Henry De Bromhead. The six-year-old showed plenty of class when striking in the Cheltenham curtain-raiser last month and with the step up in trip likely to suit, he can confirm that form with the reopposing Firefox (third). 

The biggest danger could well come from Caldwell Potter, who looked a class act when winning a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown in December and is worth tracking on his first start for the Paul Nicholls operation.

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William Hill Handicap Chase tips
Known to most racing fans as the Freebooter Handicap Chase, this race usually requires a class act to win it. Ahoy Senor has twice won Grade 1 contests at this meeting in the past and deserves respect if lining up off top weight, but he could well head to the Aintree Bowl, while The King Of Ryhope is proving very popular in the betting for Dan Skelton for all that he’d need a lot of luck to get a run. 

It could be worth taking a chance each-way on Richmond Lake, who would be a popular winner on Grand National Day in the colours of the late three-time National-winning owner Trevor Hemmings. The eight-year-old won a handicap in heavy ground here in December and while he’s not quite been in the same form since, he’s just 1lb higher than for that success here and could be worth chancing bearing in mind that he generally performs well in the spring. It’s worth noting that he’s also engaged in Friday’s Topham Chase at the time of writing. 

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JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle tips
Sire Du Berlais became the first Stayers’ Hurdle winner since Thistlecrack in 2016 to follow up in this race 12 months ago and Teahupoo is fancied to follow in the footsteps of his stablemate for the Gordon Elliott team. The seven-year-old has long promised plenty and having won in authoritative fashion over the reopposing Flooring Porter last month, he’s fancied to take control of a division which doesn’t look to have too much depth to it at the moment. 

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Maghull Novices’ Chase tips
With the Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior missing from the line-up, this race has an open feel to it, and it could be worth siding with the Sarah Humphrey-trained Nickle Back. The eight-year-old caused a minor surprise when winning the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown in February but there looked to be little fluke about the result, with the reopposing Djelo going on to finish a solid third at the Cheltenham Festival. Nickle Back would probably need ground dryer than the soft conditions forecast to be seen to best effect, but it isn’t a complete necessity and he’d be dangerous if allowed a soft lead at a track which should suit his front-running style. 

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Standard Open NH Flat Race tips
This race often proves to be a tricky puzzle to solve for punters, with three of the last five winners returning at odds of 18-1, 25-1 and 28-1 respectively. Mister Meggit has hardly broken a sweat in winning his two bumper starts to date and while the form of those victories are difficult to quantify at this stage, they looked solid on the figures and he looks a safe option without the benefit of market clues at the time of writing. 

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About the Grand National Day 2024
To put it simply, the Grand National is the biggest day for horse racing each year, as it is the day that the sport well and truly hits the mainstream. 

You will see coverage on the race in every major publication in the country and it’s likely that everyone you know – from your pub landlord to your old school teacher – will be tuning in to have a small bet on the big race. 

With 7.5 million people expected to tune in on ITV Racing, the race is a big deal, with estimated viewing figures of 500-600 million people around the world. On top of this, there will be more than 50,000 people at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on Saturday, meaning the race is not to be missed. 

Because of its popularity, the race has made legends of equine heroes over the years, with the three-time Grand National winner Red Rum perhaps being the most famous racehorse ever. Recent cult heroes include the dual winner Tiger Roll, as well as the 2015 winner Many Clouds. 

1

How to bet on Grand National day 3 races. 18+ BeGambleAware.org Please play responsibly
How to bet on Grand National Day 3 races
The fabulous thing about the Grand National is the fact that it hits a bigger audience than any other horse race and if you are one of those punters betting on horse racing for the first time, fear not. Placing a racing bet can seem daunting if you’re not used to it, but we’ve put together this quick step-by-step guide to help you out. 

Log into your betting account. If you don’t already have one, you can find several suggestions higher up in this article. 
If you need to create an account, head to your chosen website and click ‘sign up’. Don’t forget to opt into any Grand National free bet offers. 
Once you have signed up and signed into your account, head to the ‘horse racing ‘ section of the website. 
Locate the racing taking place on Saturday 13th April 2024 and select Aintree. 
Now you need to pick out a horse to bet on. You can view the runners and riders on the betting site, but if you want more detail, you can view free form on the Racing Post site. 
Once you have picked out a horse, add them to the betslip by clicking on the odds next to their name. 
You should see the horse appear in your betslip. Enter your stake in the box.
Once you are happy, select ‘place bet’. Good luck!

How to watch Grand National Festival Day 3 races
You can watch the 2024 Grand National live on ITV Racing, who are broadcasting the first five races on the card. If you want to watch the other two races that aren’t selected for terrestrial coverage, you can do so either by tuning into Racing TV or by streaming the races on your betting website. Please do check that your operator offers this before placing any bets. 

Other race previews and Grand National tips
We may be focusing on Grand National Day itself in this article, but there are two big days of racing before Saturday at the time of publication, meaning that you could well be looking for pointers on both the Thursday and the Friday. 

To help you out, we’ve listed our NAP selection on the first two days of the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree for you below. 

Grand National Thursday tips and races preview
The feature race of the Grand National Thursday is the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl, which is shaping up into a cracker. The Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe deserves plenty of respect after a stellar campaign so far, but Shishkin may prove to be too good. 

Siding with the 10-year-old wouldn’t come without its risks, with the Nicky Henderson team desperately struggling for form of late, but he put up a top-class performance when winning this 12 months ago and would be the one to beat on form if fully firing. Each of Bravemansgame, Corbetts Cross and the Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat all merit serious respect. 

Grand National Ladies’ Day tips and races preview
The feature race of the Grand National Ladies’ Day is the Grade 1 Melling Chase over two and a half miles, in which Jonbon could prove to be a great bet at around the 3-1 mark. 

He would represent something of a risky proposition due to the form of the Nicky Henderson yard at the moment – with the majority of his runners missing Cheltenham – but he’s the clear pick in this on the form and would likely be much shorter in different circumstances. 

Protektorat and Envoi Allen were first and second in last month’s Ryanair Chase and would be big threats if taking their chance, as would the Grade 1 winner Pic D’Orhy, 

FAQ about Grand National Day tips and previews
The Grand National attracts lots of new punters to horse racing each year, which mean that some common questions pop up from those who aren’t perhaps quite as experienced at betting on the horse racing. With that in mind, we’ve answered three frequently asked questions about betting on the racing on fast withdrawal casino sites for you below. 

1. Which bookmakers are offering the best promotions or bonuses for Day 3 of the Grand National races?
In short, there are some fantastic Grand National free bet offers across the market. Bookmakers will be pulling out all the stops to pull in punters on the biggest betting day of the year and it will essentially come down to picking out a site which best suits your needs. You can find some of our top selections higher up in this article. 

2. What’s the best way for beginners to use the Grand National tips betting?
The key thing to keep in mind is to trust your own judgement. It’s true that there is more information than ever before available on the horse racing, but at the end of the day, you need to make your own informed decision. Some good advice is to take in as much information as you possibly can and then sit down and pick out a horse which you think will come out on top. 

3. What’s the best day of the Grand National Festival?
There is no right answer to this question, as all three days are special in their own right! General sports fans will probably side with Grand National Day itself due to its prestige in the sporting calendar, while hardcore racing fans will probably tell you the best day of racing is on Day One. Meanwhile, racegoers who enjoy the social side of things will almost certainly tell you that Ladies Day is their favourite. It’s all down to personal preference!

About the author

Nick Seddon

A sports journalist with more than a decade of experience, Nick has covered some of the biggest events in sport, from the Grand National and the Epsom Derby in horse racing to Walsall against Wigan Athletic in League One.

Follow Nick on X: @nickseddon_

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