Final picks for the 2024 Grand National [Updated at 9:00am on 13/4/24]
This historic handicap takes place on Saturday 13th April
Minella Indo, Coko Beach, Roi Mage and now Galvin feature in our selections
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Minella Indo winning the 2021 Gold Cup at Cheltenham. (Getty)
Final tips for the 2024 Grand National, which takes place at Aintree on Saturday 13th April.
Corach Rambler would have every chance of claiming back-to-back wins had the ground at Aintree been half-decent. Another deluge of rain today (Wednesday) looks set to ensure that the 2024 Grand National is run on very testing ground - a surface that wouldn't suit the defending champion.
I'm expecting I Am Maximus to be backed into favouritism once Paul Townend is confirmed in the saddle. Willie Mullins' star looks very well-handicapped off this mark of 159 and last year's Irish National winner would be a worthy champion. Personally, backing a horse at a single-figure price in the Grand National doesn't appeal. Here are three Aintree contenders who do...
*Note, we've added a fourth selection at 9:00am this morning*
I've always been a huge fan of MINELLA INDO (20/1). I backed Henry De Bromhead's star when he won the Gold Cup in 2021, and I was keen to support him in the Cross Country Chase last month before that Cheltenham Festival contest was washed away.
De Bromhead's 11-year-old was still rated 168 when he won the New Year's Day Chase at Tramore in 2023. A pulled-up effort in the Gold Cup, a Grade Three win and two fourth-placed efforts later, Minella Indo has been dropped to a lowly rating of 159.
Once fan's favourite Rachael Blackmore has been confirmed in the plate, I doubt you'll be able to back Minella Indo at anything close to 20/1. As his Gold Cup win came during the Covid Festival, I'd love to see this fantastic chaser claim a big victory in front of the Aintree faithful.
Coko Beach running at Punchestown. (Getty)
Grand National Tip 2 - Coko Beach
I put up COKO BEACH (Tipped at 40/1, now 25/1) as my main ante-post selection for the Grand National last month and Gordon Elliott's grey can still be backed at the same price of 40/1. Coko Beach may be a nine-year-old who's about to have his third crack at the Grand National, but he returns to Aintree on the back of three career-best performances.
With five-pound claimer Danny Gilligan in the saddle, Coko Beach saw off future Mares' Chase winner Limerick Lace to win the Troytown at Navan. Three weeks later, Elliott's star finished a gallant second in the Becher Chase here at Aintree, where Gilligan's mount was giving Chambard almost two stone at the weights.
Coko Beach was last seen powering to victory at Punchestown - on what was his first spin around the Banks course. Elliott's mud-loving grey missed his intended prep in the Cross Country at Cheltenham, but Coko Beach was busy enough during the first half of the season and his record on the back of a break is good, so missing the Festival can't be seen as a negative.
Grand National Tip 3 - Roi Mage
As the Grand National trends suggest, horses aged between 8 and 11 have an excellent record in the race. Seven-year-olds have popped up from time to time, as have 12-year-olds, and we've seen several 12 and 13-year-olds hit the frame in recent seasons.
The elder statesman of this year's field is ROI MAGE (50/1), who finished seventh in last year's renewal off a mark of 149. Patrick Griffin's 12-year-old made his reappearance in France back in November, hacking up in a Listed Chase under James Reveley at Compiegne, before failing to get involved in the New Year's Day Chase at Tramore.
Like last year, Roi Mage warmed up for a spin in the National with an outing in the Bluegrass Stamm 30 Chase. For the second year running, Griffin's star ran very well to finish second, coming home behind impressive winner Adamantly Chosen. Roi Mage returns to Aintree rated one pound lower than last year. The ground will be suitably soft this time around and James Reveley is coming over from France to take the ride. At 50/1, he offers plenty of each-way value.
Galvin (right) came out best in the trends for the 2023 Grand National. (Getty)
Grand National Tip 4 - Galvin
The going on the Grand National course was heavy, as expected, when the Hunters' Chase took place at 4:00pm on Thursday. Fast forward to 9:00am on Grand National day, and the going on the same course is now being described as good-to-soft.
With the drying ground going against both Coko Beach and Grand Roi - who could both still run well - I've decided to add GALVIN (40/1) back into my selections.
When the weights were announced for this year's Grand National, I was quick to back Galvin at 20/1. Gordon Elliott's star won the National Hunt Chase and the Savills' Chase during his peak and looked extremely well-handicapped running off this mark of 155.
Once the going stick readings were revealed for the National course two weeks ago, I cashed out my ante-post bet on Galvin. Elliott's star is at his best on decent ground, and heavy going certainly wouldn't have suited him. With the turf at Aintree now drying out, Galvin should be much more comfortable and Sam Ewing's mount is still available at 40/1.
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