Favourite Corach Rambler, at 7-1 with William Hill, is among the final field of 40 runners declared for the 2023 Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse this Saturday after the top 40 horses all stood their ground.
Defi Bleu – who ran in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday – and was among the top 40 at Monday's five-day declaration stage was taken out of the Aintree showpiece with Paul Gilligan's Born By The Sea replacing him. It means the Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now – who has been third and second in the last two Grand Nationals – heads the handicap on 11st12lb. He is a best-priced 14-1 with William Hill. The Lucinda Russell-trained Corach Rambler has been the market leader since winning the Ultima Handicap Chase for a second successive year at last month's Cheltenham Festival. Last year's Grand National winner, the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats, was a staying-on fourth behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup as he warmed up for another crack at the Aintree showpiece. He is currently a best-priced 8-1 with most bookmakers for his bid to become the 10th dual winner of the race.
Another leading fancy in the line-up is last year's third Delta Work, who landed a second successive victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase and is trained by triple Grand National winner Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham. He is a best-priced 8-1 for the Grand National and heads six entries for the County Meath handler. As well as Delta Work – Galvin, Fury Road, Coko Beach, Escaria Ten and Dunboyne make up his team as trainer Elliott bids for with a record-equalling fourth success in the Aintree showpiece.
