2022 Confirmed Grand National Runners
The weights for Grand National 2022 are expected to be announced in February, giving a strong pointer towards the confirmed Grand National runners. Until these are known, refresh your mind with the full runner-by-runner finishing order for Grand National 2021:
Grand National Winners
Sorted by 2021 Finish Order
*Odds are correct as of the beginning of the race.
Grand National 2022 ante post markets are open and we’re seeing some horses with odds on running in the next Grand National. You’ll find a list of Grand National Runners for Aintree 2022 as soon as we hear about them. As we draw ever nearer to the 2022 Aintree Grand National, the field will whittle down to a maximum of 40 Grand National runners (plus 4 reserves).
Keep an eye on Minella Times, who won in 2021, but is expected to be one of the top weights for 2022.
- Grade 3, £1,000,000 Total Prize Fund
- Four miles, three and a half furlongs
- Maximum field of 40 plus four reserves.
Run in early April each year, the build-up to the Merseyside marathon always starts months before the big day. However, not all horses can run so from now until just a few days before the race we’ll see many horses drop out. Entries closes around January 29, before weights are announced in mid-February, the first scratchings deadline in early March, the second scratchings three weeks later, five-day confirmations on 4th April, and final declarations at 10am on 8th April.
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 done the entries to the 40 Grand National Runners.
Who decides which horses run in the Grand National? The 174th running will have the weights for the Grand National released in February 2022 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 this will give us a better idea which entries will be the actual Grand National Runners for 2022 – in the world’s richest and greatest steeplechase. Plus, the 2022 Grand National betting market normally has a shake-up after these weights are announced.
Bet on the Grand National Ante-Post Betting Market 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. The ante-post market for the Grand National, however, shows some particularly well-backed horses. Here is a guide to the prospects for three leading contenders:
Minella Times
- Chase wins over 3 miles: 1
- Results this season (most recent first): Fell
- Career prize money: £484,607
- 2021 Grand National result: 1st
Any Second Now
- Chase wins over 3 miles: 1
- Results this season (Most recent first): 9th
- Career prize money: £246,136
- 2021 Grand National result: 3rd
Burrows Saint
- Chase wins over 3 miles: 2
- Results this season (Most recent first): 2nd; 3rd
- Career prize money: £431,006
- 2021 Grand National result: 4th
Galvin
- Chase wins over 3 miles: 4
- Results this season (Most recent first): 1st; 2nd; 1st
- Career prize money: £272,897
- 2021 Grand National result: Did not run
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Previous Grand National winners
The Grand National returned in 2021, after we had to make do with just the virtual race 12 months previously. Two-time winner Tiger Roll was withdrawn to leave Cloth Cap as the favourite, but it was 11/1 shot Minella Times that came home first with Rachael Blackmore on board, ahead of Balko de Flos at 100/1. Here are the last ten winners of the National Hunt’s most valuable race:
- 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
- 2011 – Ballabriggs
Grand National Entries 2022
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.
Many horses are still considered to be contenders in 2022, these being some of the key stats:
- Minella Times is the most recent winner, coming home over six lengths clear of the field in 2021.
- Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, 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 last year.
- Iwilldoit has won the Welsh Grand National already. Secret Reprieve was pre-race favourite at Chepstow and came home in a distant 5th, but is still fancied to contend at Aintree.
How are the Grand National runners decided?
Click to enlarge
The final declarations for the 40-runner line-up are published on Thursday, 7th April. As the Grand National is a handicap, essentially the best 40 runners in terms of ratings are permitted to run.
Those rated highest by the BHA handicappers carry the most weight, while those at the bottom of the weights are balloted out once the field is full.
Owners and trainers also need to decide on a few things before entering their horses. Finding a horse who can stay the 4¼-mile distance and jumps well is crucial.
Employing the right jockey is also a major consideration. The very best riders based in both the UK and Ireland will be booked for National rides. Some, of course, are already retained by certain stables or certain owners.
In terms of past form, those having won a strong staying race are given preference. Cheltenham Festival form is crucial in terms of the betting however it doesn’t always mean very much in reality as many top Grand National candidates skip the Festival altogether.
Grand National non-runners
After the official final declarations for the race take place, any horse then that is being pulled out is a ‘non-runner’. In this case, the final field is declared on Thursday, April 8th.
To try to keep the race to 40 runners, the Grand National allows ‘reserves’. Given enough time, those reserves can be called into the field to replace a non-runner.
Horses are often pulled out for a number of reasons, a change in the ground or a veterinary issue being most likely. In recent years, these horses were all pulled out after being declared:
- Regal Encore
- Walk In The Mill
- O’Foalains Boy
- Carlito Brigante
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 11st10lbs, then a horse rated 167 would carry 11st7lbs 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 11st10lbs. 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, but in truth, no horse aged younger than 8 has won since 1940.
Horses between 8 and 11 are thought of as being at the perfect age. Even then though, 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 Grand National or over 3m+ at Cheltenham often go on to do well.
The Jockeys
There are always safety concerns when it comes to the Grand National. 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.
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 jocks 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 truth is, despite the difficult nature of this race it is not only the top riders who win it. It’s all about the horse’s ability here, and all will be ridden by competent jockeys on the day. Don’t be put off by the rider, for sure.
Grand National 2021 Results
Minella Times wins the Aintree Grand National 2021! Rachael Blackmore is the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the race’s 182 year history.
1 Minella Times (Rachael Blackmore) 11-1
2 Balko de Flos (Aidan Coleman) 100-1
3 Any Second Now (Mark Walsh) 15-2
4 Burrows Saint (Patrick Mullins) 9-1
5 Farclas (Jack Kennedy) 16-1
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 2022 Grand National go ahead?
Yes! As in 2021, even if crowds are not allowed at Aintree, the race will still take place this year.
When is the Grand National?
Saturday, 9th April 2022. The three-day festival gets going on 7th April, which is also when the final declarations are published for the Grand National.
Who are the 2022 Grand National runners and riders?
The runners and riders will be confirmed closer to race day. At the head of the market, we are likely to have Welsh National winner Galvin, 2021 Grand National winner Minella Times, and 2021 Irish Grand National runner-up Run Wild Fred.
Who will win the Grand National 2022?
It’s very tough to say at this stage, but a horse with the profile of Galvin will go very close if not finding bad luck.
Who won the last virtual Grand National?
The winner of the Virtual Grand National in 2021 was Cloth Cap. Kimberlite Candy finished second, while Minella Times come home in fifth.
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. However, it was less successful in 2021, as it predicted that Cloth Cap would win the race, and Minella Times would finish fifth.
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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