The 34-horse line-up for Saturday’s Grand National has been confirmed as Aintree prepares for its showpiece event, with I Am Maximus looking to defend his title
The 34-horse line-up for Saturday’s Grand National has been confirmed as Aintree’s showpiece event awaits.
Last year’s champion, I Am Maximus, leads the pack vying for the £1 million prize, with a maximum of 34 runners set to participate. Under the guidance of champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins, JP McManus-owned I Am Maximus is aiming to join the ranks of Red Rum and Tiger Roll by securing back-to-back victories in the world’s most prestigious steeplechase.
Mullins, a two-time Grand National winner, has six entrants in the race, while Gordon Elliott, trainer of Tiger Roll, has five contenders.
If one of his five horses clinches victory, billionaire McManus will become the most successful owner in Grand National history, marking his fourth win. His stable includes I Am Maximus, but also Iroko, Perceval Legallois, Meetingofthewaters and Chantry House.
Gavin Cromwell, who recently won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a trainer, trains both Perceval Legallois and the highly-tipped Cheltenham Festival Cross Country Chase victor Stumptown, as well as Vanillier, the runner-up in the 2023 Grand National.
Meanwhile, Hewick, the £800 horse trained by Shark Hanlon, is expected to be a crowd favourite.
Rachael Blackmore, who made history as the first female jockey to win the Grand National on Minella Times in 2021, has opted to ride last year’s third-place finisher, Minella Indo. Darragh O’Keeffe will partner with trainer Henry de Bromhead’s second runner, Senior Chief.
Harry Redknapp-owned Shaken Up’Arry didn’t make the cut for the field and has been placed as the first reserve, only to start if a non-runner is declared by 1pm on Friday.
Hitman, trained by Paul Nicholls, will sport the colours of Sir Alex Ferguson and will be ridden by 19-year-old jockey Freddie Gingell.
Grand National runners and riders
4.00pm, Saturday 5th April
1 I Am Maximus (FR) 9 11 12 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland P Townend
2 Royale Pagaille (FR) 11 11 9 Mrs S. Ricci Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
3 Nick Rockett (IRE) 8 11 8 Stewart & Sadie Andrew W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr P W Mullins
4 Grangeclare West (IRE) 9 11 8 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland Brian Hayes
5 Hewick (IRE) 10 11 7 Mr T. J. McDonald John Joseph Hanlon Ireland Gavin Sheehan
6 Minella Indo (IRE) 12 11 3 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
7 Appreciate It (IRE) 11 11 2 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins Ireland Sean O’Keeffe
8 Minella Cocooner (IRE) 9 11 2 Mr David Bobbett W. P. Mullins Ireland Jonathan Burke
9 Conflated (IRE) 11 11 2 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jordan Gainford
10 Stumptown (IRE) 8 11 2 Furze Bush Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland Keith Donoghue
11 Hitman (FR) 9 11 1 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell
12 Beauport (IRE) 9 11 1 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
13 Bravemansgame (FR) 10 11 0 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls James Reveley
14 Chantry House (IRE) 11 10 13 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson James Bowen
15 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 10 10 12 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls Harry Skelton Harry Skelton
16 Perceval Legallois (FR) 8 10 12 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell Ireland Mark Walsh
17 Kandoo Kid (FR) 9 10 11 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
18 Iroko (FR) 7 10 11 Mr John P. McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O’Neill Jr
19 Intense Raffles (FR) 7 10 10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede T. Gibney Ireland J J Slevin
20 Senior Chief 8 10 10 Lucky In Life Syndicate Henry de Bromhead Ireland Darragh O’Keeffe
21 Idas Boy (IRE) 11 10 10 Dozen Dreamers Richard Phillips Harry Bannister
22 Fil Dor (FR) 7 10 9 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland Sam Ewing
23 Broadway Boy (IRE) 7 10 9 Mr D. M. Proos Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Bellamy
24 Coko Beach (FR) 10 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jody McGarvey
25 Stay Away Fay (IRE) 8 10 9 Bell, Lyons, Hill Paul Nicholls Paul O’Brien
26 Meetingofthewaters (IRE) 8 10 7 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland Danny Mullins
27 Monbeg Genius (IRE) 9 10 6 Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill Nick Scholfield
28 Vanillier (FR) 10 10 6 Mrs H. M. Keaveney Gavin Cromwell Ireland Sean Flanagan
29 Horantzau d’Airy (FR) 8 10 6 Mr Jim Gill Michael Keady Ciaran Gethings
30 Hyland (FR) 8 10 6 The Ten From Seven Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
31 Celebre d’Allen (FR) 13 10 6 Mr Allan Stennett Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Micheal Nolan
32 Three Card Brag (IRE) 8 10 5 Patrick & Scott Bryceland,McNeill Family Gordon Elliott Ireland Sean Bowen
33 Twig 10 10 5 Mrs G. Morgan Ben Pauling Beau Morgan
34 Duffle Coat (IRE) 8 10 4 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott Ireland Danny Gilligan
Reserves: Shakem Up’Arry, Roi Mage, Favori de Champdou, Fantastic Lady