The wait is over and the 34 runners for Saturday's Grand National at Aintree are locked in. If you've been sitting on the fence waiting for the final declarations to see which horses actually made the cut, now's your time to move. Aintree isn't just another race. It's a four-mile test of nerves that breaks hearts and makes legends. This year's field is packed with narrative, but let's be real about what it takes to win. You don't just need a fast horse. You need one that can handle the chaos of 33 other animals charging toward the same narrow gaps.
The 2024 winner I Am Maximus is back to defend his crown and he's carrying the top weight of 11st 12lb. That's a massive ask. History isn't usually on the side of the heavyweights in this race, but Willie Mullins doesn't care about history. He cares about winning. The final field confirms we have a mix of battle-hardened stayers and some interesting newcomers that the handicapper might have missed.
The horses at the top of the weights
It's a brutal reality that carrying nearly 12 stone over thirty fences usually drains the life out of a horse by the time they hit the Elbow. I Am Maximus proved he’s a freak of nature last year. He didn't just win; he demolished them. But he’s rated 15lb higher this time around. That’s the price of greatness. If he wins this again under that weight, we aren't just talking about a good horse. We're talking about one of the best to ever do it.
Corach Rambler is another name everyone knows. He’s the 2023 champion. People love him because he has that trademark style of coming from the clouds. He sits at the back, stays out of trouble, and then picks them off one by one. But he had a hard race at Cheltenham. He looked tired. You have to wonder if the tank is empty or if Peter Russell has timed his run to perfection again.
Then there is Noble Yeats. He’s the horse that gave Sam Waley-Cohen the dream send-off. He’s a standing dish in this race now. He stays forever. If the ground comes up soft, his chances skyrocket. He won’t be bothered by the distance. He’ll be passing tired horses when others are gasping for air.
Why the middle of the pack is where the value hides
The Grand National is often won by a horse carrying between 10st 10lb and 11st 5lb. It’s the "sweet spot" where class meets a manageable burden. This is where you find the progressive types.
Meetingofthewaters is the one everyone is whispering about. He’s owned by JP McManus, which usually tells you all you need to know. He’s got that profile of a horse that's been laid out for this for months. He’s unexposed. He’s jumped well in big fields before. He’s exactly the kind of horse that wins a modern National—shorter fences mean you need a bit of tactical speed, not just a plodder who can jump a house.
Panda Boy is another Irish raider that looks dangerous. He’s been campaigned specifically to protect his handicap mark. He was fifth in the Irish National and he’s been running over hurdles recently to keep his eye in without the handicapper noticing. It's a classic plot. Martin Brassil knows what it takes to win this race; he did it with Numbersixvalverde back in 2006. He hasn't forgotten the recipe.
The runners that didn't make the cut
The reduction to 34 runners—down from the traditional 40—has changed the dynamic of the race. It’s supposed to be safer. It certainly makes the start less of a cavalry charge. But it also means some very good horses are left in the cold.
The elimination of the bottom weights means the quality of the race is technically higher than ever. There are no "no-hopers" anymore. Every single horse in this field has a legitimate rating that suggests they belong. That makes your job as a punter harder. You can't just cross off the bottom ten horses like people used to do in the nineties.
If you were looking for a rags-to-riches story at 100/1, you’re going to struggle. The "social runners" are gone. We are left with a field of elite stayers. It’s basically a Grade 1 race disguised as a handicap.
Ground conditions will dictate everything
Don't place a bet until you've checked the weather at Liverpool. Aintree is notorious for changing fast. If the rain stays away and it’s Good to Soft, the speed horses like I Am Maximus have a huge advantage. They can use their gear change to get out of trouble.
If it turns into a bog, throw the form book out. Heavy ground at Aintree is a different sport. It becomes a survival contest. That’s when you look at the Welsh National types. Horses like Nassalam. He won the Welsh National by a country mile in the mud. If the clouds burst on Friday night, he becomes the most likely winner. He won’t stop. Most of the others will.
How to actually pick a winner
Stop looking for the prettiest horse. Look for the one that has finished a race over three and a half miles strongly. Look for horses that don't make mistakes. One bad jump at the Chair or Becher’s Brook and it’s game over. You want a horse that is "clever" with its feet.
Check the trainer stats too. Irish trainers have been dominating the National recently. It’s not even a contest. Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead bring over a literal army of talent. They have the best facilities and the best bloodstock. Betting against the Irish contingent right now feels like betting against the house.
Look at the jockey bookings. Paul Townend is the best in the business. If he's on it, you have to respect it. But also look at the specialists. Some riders just "get" the Aintree fences. They know when to take a pull and when to let the horse fly.
The final checklist before the tapes go up
The final declarations mean the numbers are assigned. Your favorite horse might have a different number than you expected, so double-check your slip.
- Verify the ground: Is it drying out or getting deeper?
- Check the jockey changes: Did someone get injured at the last minute?
- Look for the "McManus factor": He often has multiple runners; which one did the stable jockey choose?
- Ignore the hype: Don't bet on a horse just because it has a funny name or your aunt's favorite color.
The Grand National starts at 4:00 PM on Saturday. The field is set. The fences are dressed. The only thing left is the roar of the crowd when they turn for home.
Pick your horse based on stamina and a proven jumping record. If you're looking for a solid play, focus on the horses carrying 11st 2lb to 11st 6lb with previous experience over the Aintree fences. That combination of weight and track knowledge is usually the golden ticket. Set your budget, place your bets early to lock in the best prices, and enjoy the greatest show on turf.
