2023 Grand National Runners & Odds | List of Confirmed Horses
The dust is still settling on this year’s Aintree showpiece, but we’re already looking forward to Grand National 2023. Noble Yeats is expected to return to Aintree, while Any Second Now will also target victory after finishing third in 2021 and second in 2022. Below you can find the likely Grand National runners, and, as the race approaches, we’ll have all the confirmed Grand National runners and riders, alongside our Grand National horse-by-horse guide.
Full list of runners, riders and odds
Grand National horse-by-horse guide
*Odds are correct at time of publishing.
Grand National runners 2023 list
The list below will be updated once we know the confirmed Grand National runners for 2023, following the final declarations. Initially we can expect over 100 horses to enter the race, although this number will then be whittled down to the final 40. There are many races to be run and decisions to be made before 15th April 2023 though, so keep track as the drama plays out.
- Agusta Gold
- Ahoy Senor
- Al Boum Photo
- Anibale Fly
- Any Second Now
- Aramix
- Brahma Bull
- Burrows Saint
- Capodanno
- Champ
- Chantry House
- Coko Beach
- Commodore
- Corach Rambler
- Court Maid
- Death Duty
- Deise Aba
- Delta Work
- Dingo Dollar
- Domaine de L’Isle
- Early Doors
- Easysland
- Enjoy d’Allen
- Escaria Ten
- Farclas
- Farouk D’Alene
- Fiddlerontheroof
- Fidux
- Floueur
- Fortescue
- Franco de Port
- Freewheelin Dylan
- Frontal Assault
- Fury Road
- Gaillard Du Mesnil
- Galvin
- Gericault Roque
- Good Boy Bobby
- Happygolucky
- Hewick
- Highland Hunter
- Iwilldoit
- Kitty’s Light
- Lifetime Ambition
- Longhouse Poet
- Lord Lariat
- Mac Tottie
- Max Flamingo
- Minella Times
- Monkfish
- Mount Ida
- Musical Slave
- Noble Yeats
- Ontheropes
- Royale Pagaille
- Run Wild Fred
- Sam Brown
- Samcro
- Santini
- School Boy Hours
- Screaming Colours
- Secret Reprieve
- Snow Leopardess
- Stattler
- The Big Dog
- The Galloping Bear
- Threeunderthrufive
- Time to Get Up
- Topofthegame
- Win My Wings
View the 2023 Grand National betting odds here
*All odds at time of publishing. All subject to change.
Favourites
There are dozens of horses carrying the hopes of their owners and trainers, but invariably most interest and the big money surrounds the Grand National favourites. Here’s a brief Grand National horse-by-horse guide to the prospects of the leading 2023 Grand National runners:
Noble Yeats
- Career highlights: 2022 Grand National winner, 2022 Towton Chase runner-up
- Career prize money: £530,718
- 2022 Grand National result: 1st
Any Second Now
- Career highlights: 2022 Grand National runner-up, 2022 Bobbyjo Chase winner, 2021 Grand National 3rd place, 2019 Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner
- Career prize money: £460,573
- 2022 Grand National result: 2nd
Win My Wings
- Career highlights: 2022 Scottish Grand National winner, 2022 Eider Chase winner
- Career prize money: £179,691
- 2022 Grand National result: Did not run
Kitty’s Light
- Career highlights: 2022 Scottish Grand National runner-up, 2022 Coral Trophy runner-up, 2021 Charlie Hall Chase runner-up
- Career prize money: £169,122
- 2022 Grand National result: Did not run
Previous Grand National winners
The 2022 Grand National took place in front of crowds for the first time in three years, after we had to make do with a behind-closed-doors race 12 months previously. Any Second Now was the eventual 15/2 favourite, while 2021 Grand National winner Minella Times went off as top weight, but the bookies favourite and crowd favourite both came up short, as 50/1 outsider Noble Yeats crossed the finishing line first with Sam Waley-Cohen on board in his farewell ride. Here are the ten previous Grand National winners:
- 2022 – Noble Yeats
- 2021 – Minella Times
- 2020 – race cancelled
- 2019 – Tiger Roll
- 2018 – Tiger Roll
- 2017 – One For Arthur
- 2016 – Rule The World
- 2015 – Many Clouds
- 2014 – Pineau De Re
- 2013 – Auroras Encore
- 2012 – Neptune Collonges
Read more about how they got on via our Grand National reviews hub.
How are the Grand National runners decided?
In early February, a longlist often containing over 100 potential Grand National runners is announced. Then, as we near the 2023 Aintree Grand National, this is whittled down to a maximum of 40 Grand National runners (plus four reserves). Narrowing down the field to 40 runners is a lengthy process, with the following steps and many twists and turns when it comes to the Grand National odds.
- Grand National entries close around 29th January, giving us a longlist often in excess of 100 Aintree Grand National runners.
- Weights are announced in mid-February, ranking the horses from one to 40 and beyond.
- The first scratchings deadline is in early March.
- The second scratchings come three weeks later.
- Five-day confirmations will be on 10th April 2023.
- Final declarations will happen on Thursday 13th April at 10am, featuring the top 40 horses from the weights list, plus four reserves to cater for very late withdrawals.
- Final confirmation comes on Friday 14th April at 1pm, leaving just 40 horses.
Any withdrawals after the final confirmation stage will not be replaced, and the Grand National would take place with 39 or fewer horses. However, this is a relatively rare occurrence, and so it’s possible to use any Grand National free bets you’ve found, without much fear of not having a run for your money.
How many runners are in the Grand National?
For safety reasons, the Grand National is always capped at 40 horses so between now and we’re going to see many horses fall by the wayside. There are various declaration stages during February, March and April which also help whittle down the entries to the 40 Grand National Runners.
Who decides which horses run in the Grand National?
The 174th running will have Grand National weights released in February 2023 by the British Horseracing Authority’s head of handicapping. They decide the weights and ratings for the runners entered which will invariably end up being a deciding factor of which the final 40 runners will be on the day.
Once each horse has been allocated a weight to carry, we have a clearer idea which horses will be the confirmed Grand National runners for 2023. This has a significant impact on the 2023 Grand National betting odds.
Grand National entries 2023
As long as horses meet the criteria, there is essentially no limit to the number of initial entries. On the day, however, a total of 40 horses can run.
As well as the official criteria, trainers and owners have to answer questions regarding their own horses. Will they stay the trip? Are they well handicapped? Is the ground suitable? Are they in good form?
Everyone involved has a balancing act to manage too. Those entered in the Grand National who are not jumping or staying well should not be involved. However, those in the form of their lives may have to put up with a very large racing weight given to them by the handicapper. All of these factors impact the Grand National runners betting odds.
Many horses are still considered to be contenders in 2023, these being some of the key stats:
- Noble Yeats is the most recent winner, coming home over two lengths clear of Any Second Now, and more than 20 lengths ahead of the rest of the field, in 2022.
- Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National (2021) and the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2022), so there’ll be a real interest in whoever she decides to ride.
- Henry de Bromhead trained both the first and second placed horses at the 2021 Grand National.
- Perennial leading owner JP McManus tasted Grand National success for the second time in 2021.
- Win My Wings has won the Scottish Grand National already. The Irish Grand National is also seen as a key indicator for leading fancies in the English Grand National.
Grand National non-runners
After the official final declarations for the race take place, any horse that’s being pulled out is a ‘non-runner’. In this case, the final field is declared on Thursday, April 13th.
To try to keep the race to 40 runners, the Grand National allows ‘reserves’. Those reserves can be called into the field to replace a non-runner, as happened with three horses – School Boy Hours, Commodore and Romain De Senam – in 2022.
Horses are often pulled out for a number of reasons, a change in the ground or a veterinary issue being most likely. In 2022, these horses were all pulled out after being declared:
- Phoenix Way
- Easysland
- Lord Du Mesnil
What to look for when finding a winning horse?
There are certain criteria for horses to meet in order to qualify for the Grand National. Understanding them means not only knowing who will run but often how well too.
Weight
As a handicap race, the weights for Grand National runners are basically decided according to their official rating. So, if the top horse is rated 170 and carries 11st 10lbs, a horse rated 167 would carry 11st 7lbs etc.
Given the special nature of this race, however, the head BHA handicapper has dispensation to change the ratings and the weights somewhat. The handicapper can use other factors such as proven form at Aintree to adjust the weights. He will frame the weights a couple of months before the race before publishing them.
The top-rated horse in the line-up will carry 11st 10lbs. In years gone by it was thought nigh impossible for horses to carry such weights to win the National. Things are different now. The classier horses at the top of the weights have every chance of winning this, especially if the ground isn’t too testing.
Age
Only those aged 7 and over can enter. This was raised from 6 recently, with Noble Yeats becoming the first horse aged younger than 8 to win the Grand National since 1940.
Horses between 8 and 11 are thought of as being at the perfect age. Even then, a lot will depend on what form they are in and whether it’s believed a new career peak is realistic regardless of how old they are.
Career
There isn’t a set career path for a Grand National contender. Race set-ups in the UK and Ireland are different but equally fruitful. The trick is not to follow horses coming from certain races. Rather, it is best to find a horse which is about to peak. Those running to their best form this season, but not necessarily badly weighted, are favoured.
Stamina
Only those who have been placed in a recognised chase over 3 miles or longer can enter. That is because of safety concerns, but as punters, we can take that a step further. In truth, what we really want to see is a horse who has won at least once over 3 miles. We’d rather see those wins being gained in good quality races too. Horses with the previous form in the Grand National, the Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals or over 3 miles at Cheltenham often go on to do well.
Grand National Riders
The identity of a Grand National rider is important when deciding which horse to bet on. Some prefer to back a jockey that has previously won the Grand National, while others may prefer to back a female jockey, following Rachael Blackmore’s memorable win in 2021.
To be allowed to ride, jockeys must have ridden at least 15 winners under rules in Britain or Ireland. Ten of those wins need to have been over fences rather than hurdles too, so it’s clear that all 40 Grand National riders and runners will be more than competent at their trade.
Once that criteria is met, any jockey can be booked in theory to ride any horse. Some jockeys, of course, are associated with certain stables or owners and will be retained to ride by them.
The vast majority of winning riders, in fact, can thank their retainers for their wins. Rarely will it be a chance ride gained by an agent when a jockey is successful at Aintree.
However the Grand National jockeys get their mounts, this is a race that can make a career for them. Leighton Aspell managed to win this race twice in a row for two different trainer/owner combinations. The two greatest riders in recent years, AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh won this race only once and twice respectively.
The most successful jump jockeys from the past season were all be involved in the Grand National in 2022, so have a look at our Grand National riders list to see if any catch your eye.
- Aidan Coleman
- J W Kennedy
- M P Walsh
- Rachael Blackmore
- Thomas Bellamy
- Brendan Powell
- D N Russell
- P Townend
- T Scudamore
- Nick Scholfield
- D A Jacob
- Ryan Mania
- Harry Skelton
- Jonjo O’Neill Jr
- Darragh O’Keeffe
- Ricky Doyle
- A P Heskin
- Charlie Deutsch
- Sam Twiston-Davies
- Harry Cobden
Grand National 2022 results and odds
Noble Yeats wins the Aintree Grand National 2022! Sam Waley-Cohen wins on his very last ride, while Noble Yeats becomes the first 7 year old to win since 1940.
1 Noble Yeats (Sam Waley-Cohen) 50-1
2 Any Second Now (Mark Walsh) 15-2 fav
3 Delta Work (Jack Kennedy) 10-1
4 Santini (Nick Scholfield) 33-1
5 Fiddlerontheroof (Brendan Powell) 12-1
To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases under the Recognised Racing Authority Rules of Racing up to and including February 10. Horses may be allocated a rating after then, by the handicapper. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final.
Bet on the Grand National Ante-Post Betting Market here
*All odds at time of publishing. All subject to change.
Grand National runners FAQ
Find more relevant information in the FAQ section below.
Will the 2023 Grand National go ahead?
Yes! Crowds returned to the Aintree stands in 2022, so we can expect the same in 2023.
When is the Grand National?
Grand National 2023 is scheduled for Saturday 15th April. The three-day festival gets going on 13th April, which is also when the final declarations are published for the Grand National.
Who are the 2023 Grand National runners and riders?
The runners and riders will be confirmed closer to race day, although you can already bet on the likely contenders. Early contenders include 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats, and Any Second Now who came home in second.
Who will win the Grand National 2023?
It’s very tough to say at this stage, but Any Second Now will head into the race off the back of a third place finish in 2021 and a second place in 2022.
Who won the last virtual Grand National?
The winner of the Virtual Grand National in 2022 was Snow Leopardess. Any Second Now finished second, as he did in the real race the following day.
Can the virtual Grand National determine the real Aintree winner?
The Virtual Grand National was last successful in predicting the winner of the featured race in 2018. It successfully predicted that Tiger Roll would win the National. It failed to pick the correct winner in 2022, but did successfully call both the second and third-placed horses.
How many fences do the horses jump in the Grand National?
30 fences are taken by the field over a trip just short of 4¼ miles.
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