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All the main contenders for the Randox Grand National stood their ground in the five-day declaration stage for Saturday’s big race at Aintree.
A maximum field of 40 looks assured for the £1m piece, with Corach Rambler in charge of the transfer market for Lucinda Russell.
Last year’s and recent fourth-place winner of the Gold Cup, Noble Yeats, will be bidding to join the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll as the multiple winner of the world’s largest steeplechase.
Venetia Williams, who won the prize in 2009 with 100-1 Mon Mome, will rely on Cloudy Glen for the late Trevor Hemmings, with Royale Pagaille leapfrogging for the Irish version, plus the retirement of her Haydock Grand winner National Trial Quick Wave.
That duo’s defection means good news for coaches Sam Thomas and Gordon Elliott, who see Our Power and Dunboyne respectively sneaking near the foot of the handicap, while Francky Du Berlais, Fortescue, Back On The Lash and Defi Bleu also have a guarantee run.
Envoi Allen, The Shunter, Gin On Lime and Battleoverdoyen also had spots in the field, but were removed as the contenders were whittled down to 50, with Elliott-trained Gevrey and Punitive, who are next on the list, possibly missing the cut. Gevrey however rode a huge race in the Irish national team, dropping just a length in a last-gasp finish.
Our Power, winner of four of his eight fence starts, including the London Gold Cup at Ascot and the Coral Trophy at Kempton in his previous two runs, is only tenth in the four and a quarter mile marathon.
Dunboyne, who was second in the Thyestes at Gowran Park and then fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, is one of seven sure of a place in the lineup for County Meath handler Elliott as he bids for a fourth win after the success of Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019).
Delta Work and Galvin, who gave Elliott a one-two in the Cheltenham cross-country chase, lead the Summerhill handler’s squad, which also includes Coko Beach, Fury Road, Escaria Ten and the aforementioned Defi Bleu, although he too was in action in the Ireland international, surpassing his odds of being third.
Any Second Now, who finished second to 50-1 winner Noble Yeats 12 months ago, tops the weights with 11st 12lb for Ted Walsh.
He is one of five horses that will bid to give owner JP McManus a third win following Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021).
No less than 34 of the 50 remaining are Irish-trained, with conqueror Willie Mullins set to saddle five on New Year’s Eve, Handpicked, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Mr Incredible and Recite A Prayer..
Here Telegraph Sport brings you five horses that should be on your radar in preparation for the 2023 Grand National at Aintree. You can download and print our Grand National Lottery Kit here.
Telegraph Sport’s five horses to watch
Noble Yeats – 8/1
Last year’s winner has put together an excellent campaign this season and didn’t hurt his chances with a solid run at the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time out. He wasn’t good enough to come close to winning that day, but stayed on strongly late to underscore his credentials as a leading National contender this year, albeit at a heavy weight of 11st 11lb.
Mr Incredible – 14/1
He has shown an aptitude for staying in testing this season and ran very well under a big weight when he finished third at the Cheltenham Festival last time out. He’s got a lot less on the plate here when it comes to weights and it’s almost guaranteed that he’ll appreciate the extra distance. One of Willie Mullins’ so jockey bookings will be revealing.
Our Power – 20/1
Well imagined in many quarters, Our Power snuck into the bottom-of-the-weights contest after Quick Wave’s retirement. He has only raced twice this season, winning on both occasions, but his whole season seems to have been built around the national team.
New Year’s Eve – 25/1
An intriguing contender for Willie Mullins. On skill alone he’s up there with the best in this race, but he has an answer to one big question: Will he keep the ride? An Irish Grade 1 winner on 3m1f, the pitch up to 4m2½f is big and so you’d imagine Mullins and co would like the rain to stay away. Third in his only heat of the season.
The Great Escape – 50/1
Once tipped as a future star, The Big Breakaway’s career didn’t go as planned, but he gave a performance at the Welsh National at Christmas that hinted he might be up to this kind of test. He was still holding on at the end when he finished second to The Two Amigos at Chepstow on 3m6½f. He will have three more stadiums to play with at Aintree.
Marcus Armytage’s five horses to watch
Our power – 20/1
Like Red Rum, he is flat-bred, from a sprinter and raced as a two-year-old where most of his rivals would be out in an unbroken field. Undefeated in two starts this season, even after weigh-ins came out in February, so 6lbs is “fine.” Swerved Cheltenham, so arrives here fresh, and has a great chance of becoming the first Welsh-trained winner since 1905.
It’s not a pity – 16/1
A nine-year-old who has only run 10 times, he recorded his first success on the fences just last month. But he finished fourth in the Leopardstown handicap chase in which former stablemate Minella Times finished second before her Domestic win, and is likely to be Rachael Blackmore’s choice. He has good weight.
The Milos – 16/1
He won two of his three starts for Dan Skelton and was desperate to rush to Kelso in his last outing. He jumps and stays, and isn’t particularly picky about the terrain. It has a lot going for him.
Noble Yeats – 8/1
Last year’s winner will attempt to defend his crown on the back of a strong fourth place finish in the Gold Cup. He led the 10th 10lb to victory last season and is now saddled with the 11th 11lb. He enjoyed a relatively clear pass 12 months ago, but will he get the touch of the green two years in a row? As an eight-year-old, he’s supposed to be at the peak of his powers.
Vanilla – 16/1
Some people will tell you he doesn’t jump well enough but I’m not sure if that’s more of a factor and was a bit unlucky to crash at Leopardstown two starts ago when he skidded on landing. Last time he ran a cracker behind Kemboy and would have won in three more paces. He has a great chance to add to the small band of grays who have won the race
