In recent years, Ireland has held a dominant sway over the major National Hunt racing events, consistently triumphing at the illustrious Cheltenham Festival and securing victories in the esteemed Grand National.
However, Britain saw a glimmer of hope in 2023 when Lucinda Russell, a Scottish trainer, thwarted the visitors’ bid for a fifth consecutive Grand National victory with Corach Rambler seizing the coveted title.
Despite enduring another setback at Cheltenham, British enthusiasts are eager to reclaim their pride with a potential triumph at the upcoming Grand National. Join us as we delve into the contenders trained on British soil, poised to make their mark at the Aintree showcase on April 13.
Corach Rambler – 6/1
According to the 2024 Grand National odds, Britain’s best chance, and indeed the favourite for the race, is the already mentioned Corach Rambler.
Russell’s charge seeks to become just the 10th horse to win dual Grand Nationals and is the market leader ahead of I Am Maximus and Vanillier.
Corach Rambler was second last on his first outing following his Grand National triumph at Kelso in October and was well beaten again at Haydock, but you can’t discount him after last year’s display here or his recent third in the Gold Cup.
Nassalam – 25/1
After Corach Rambler, you have to scroll someway down through the entries to find the next British-trained runner.
Eventually, you will come across Nassalam — who is as far out as 25/1 to win the Grand National for veteran trainer Gary Moore.
The seven-year-old, who ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup recently, won back-to-back races at Chepstow in December — including the Welsh Grand National by a commanding 34 lengths.
Several horses, including Silver Birch, have won both the Welsh and Aintree Grand Nationals. However, Nassalam would be just the second horse after the legendary Red Rum to achieve the feat in the same year.
Latenightpass – 28/1
Coming in not far behind Nassalam in the horse betting at 28/1 is Latenightpass, who is currently trained by Dan Skelton but will change back to former handler Tom Ellis for the Grand National.
Latenightpass only joined Team Skelton in November and has performed respectably for the Warwickshire-based trainer, with a second and first at Cheltenham late last year before finishing runner-up in a Grade 2 at Haydock in February.
However, Ellis — who is Britain’s most successful point-to-point trainer — is set to get a full training license as he does not want to miss this massive opportunity.
“I’ll never get another chance to train a horse for the National that is owned and was bred by my mum and will be ridden by my wife,” Ellis said.
The 11-year-old, who has won nine of his 19 Point-to-Points, has some notable form on the Grand National course — winning the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase in 2022, while also finishing second and fourth in other renewals of that contest.
The concern, however, is Latenightpass’s age. An 11-year-old has not won the Grand National since Pineau De Re back in 2014.
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Kitty’s Light, trained by Welsh handler Christian Williams, and Paul Nicholls’ Threeunderthrufive are both 33/1 shots, while Chambard is 40/1 for Venetia Williams.
