If Noble Yeats replicates what he achieved in 2022 by winning the Grand National again this season, he will match what Red Rum (1973 and 1974) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019) both achieved in the last 50 years by scoring in back-to-back years.
“He gallops and he jumps, what more do you want?”
Emmet Mullins isn’t planning on approaching the Grand National any differently this year with Noble Yeats!
Many defending champions have struggled a year later in the handicap contest, as they often have a lot more weight on their backs. Noble Yeats has been given a weight allocation that is 15lb higher than he has in 2022, as he bids to defy the handicapper.
Emmet Mullins’ Runner Fancied to Run a Big Race
After an excellent season on the track, Noble Yeats is one of the leading Grand National ante post tips for Aintree. He is second best in the betting at +800 to come out on top again, despite the extra weight.
The eight-year-old chaser prevailed at Wexford earlier in the campaign in a Listed contest. He then stepped up in class to win the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase at Aintree.
Although he was beaten on his latest appearance, it was an excellent run, as he came home fourth in the Blue Riband event of the Cheltenham Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That was the perfect preparation for his shot at multiple Grand National successes.
Sean Bowen has been booked to partner Noble Yeats in the defense of his crown. Amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen was the winning jockey in 2022 but he is now retired from the sport.
Corach Rambler Tops the Betting
Corach Rambler’s done it again!
Scottish-based horse Corach Rambler is the +550 favorite in the betting for the 4m2½f contest this year. The 2023 Ultima Handicap Chase winner will have a much lower weight allocation of 10st 5lb in the race.
The nine-year-old stayed on strongly up the hill at Cheltenham to win the handicap race on day one of the meeting. That was his fourth career success over fences, and each of those victories has come at distances over 3m.
Corach Rambler’s trainer Lucinda Russell is bidding to win the Aintree feature for the second time in her career. She ensured Scotland won the race in 2017 when One For Arthur landed the top prize. Russell is having one of the best seasons of her career and victory in the Grand National will help her climb the British Trainer Championship standings even further.
Strong Challengers from Ireland
Defending champion Noble Yeats will be joined in this year’s Grand National by a strong contingent from Ireland. Two of those are the horses that finished directly behind him in second and third place last year. 2022 runner-up Any Second Now and Delta Work, the horse which came home third, will get the chance to improve their placings in the latest renewal.
Any Second Now was the winner of the Grade Two Webster Cup Chase at Navan on his latest appearance. He is the highest-rated runner in the field this year with an official rating of 167, which means he must carry top weight of 11st 12lb.
Delta Work also warmed up for Aintree with a victory. He won the Cross Country Chase for a second time at the Cheltenham Festival.
With eight horses entered with a 160 rating or higher, this year’s renewal of the Grand National is expected to be one of the best in history.
