Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Grand National 2023 LIVE: Results, reaction and latest updates after dramatic day at Aintree

Corach Rambler won the 175th running of the Grand National on the UK’s biggest betting day

Michael Jones
Sunday 16 April 2023 12:40 BST
Comments
What is the Grand National 2023 and when is it?

Corach Rambler won the 2023 Grand National at Aintree backing up its status as the 8/1 favourite.

Mister Coffey and Coko Beach led early on and throughout most of the thrilling race. But chaotic scenes early on saw a number of fallers, including Lifetime Ambition, who was taken out by a loose horse at fence 9.

However, Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox and trained by Lucinda Russell took the lead from Mister Coffey over the final fence and kicked for home to record a memorable win.

The race had been delayed after protestors breached the Aintree racecourse fence and got on to the course. The Grand National attracted criticism from animal rights protestors in the build-up, with three arrests made in connection with potential co-ordinated disruption activities at Aintree, which became nine following the pre-race disruption

Relive all the action from Aintree below:

Grand National 2023 tips: The best bets to back and horses to watch at Aintree

The most famous event in the British racing calender returns with the Grand National once again returning to Aintree.

First run in 1839, the steeplechase sees the 40 competing horses and jockeys clear 30 fences in the hopes of joining the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll in horse racing history.

Last year’s winner Noble Yeats is in the field once again and is hoping to emulate Tiger Roll’s recent antics and make it back-to-back wins in the Grand National, so do check out our betting guide for the big race, while every runner and rider can be found here too.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Grand National including the best bets and tips for the racecard at Aintree:

Mike Jones15 April 2023 13:25

Grand National 2023: Expert tips

The Grand National is always a bit of a pot luck race with any of the 40 runners in contention over the four and a quarter mile course.

Mon Mome won the 2009 National priced at 100/1 so it really is anyone’s game when the horse take to the course at Aintree.

But, as always, there are some favourites that the experts think could go the distance. Here are the thoughts of Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlain speaking to SkyBet:

Oli Bell: “As always, the race is wide-open. I like Delta Work, who finished 3rd in the race last year. Velvet Elvis will run well at a price. Corach Rambler is well-in, and I do think that he can weave his way through, he’s a very talented horse.”

“On the biggest day in sport, I fancy Longhouse Poet to win the Randox Grand National,” added Ed Chamberlain.

Mike Jones15 April 2023 13:20

Grand National 2023

There’s just 30 minutes to go before the racing starts on Grand National Day. Five races over various lengths and grades take place before the showpiece at 5.15pm.

Here’s the full Grand National Day Schedule (all times BST):

  • 1:45pm: Systems Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
  • 2:25pm: Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
  • 3:00pm: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
  • 3:35pm: Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle (registered as the Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1)
  • 4:15pm: Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
  • 5:15pm: Randox Grand National Chase (Grade 3)
  • 6:20pm: Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)
Mike Jones15 April 2023 13:15

Grand National protests loom over Aintree race: ‘Horse racing is dying’

A spokesperson for Animal Rising has said its planned protest at Aintree on Grand National day is “the first of a campaign of events over the summer”.

Earlier this month, The Mail On Sunday reported more than 100 activists had signed up to take part in a demonstration on April 15 with the aim of disrupting the big race itself, which sees a full field of 40 horses head to post at 5.15pm.

The report said protesters planned to form a human barricade across the track at Aintree after sneaking into the event with ladders and bolt cutters.

Merseyside Police has said it has “a robust policing plan in place” for the meeting, and speaking to TalkSPORT, Alex Lockwood of the Extinction Rebellion offshoot confirmed a protest will begin at 9.30am outside the course.

Grand National protests loom over Aintree race: ‘Horse racing is dying’

Animal Rising, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, will begin protests condemning horse racing at 9.30am on Saturday ahead of the 5.15pm showpiece

Mike Jones15 April 2023 13:10

All 40 horses rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece

The 2023 Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, as the famous old race runs for the 175th time.

A trio of fancied horses head the betting with Corach Rambler, Delta Work and Noble Yeats all available around the 8/1 mark.

Noble Yeats is defending his title, although Sean Bowen is aboard this time after Sam Waley-Cohen’s retirement following last year’s triumph, Delta Work is one of six contenders for Gordon Elliott and two-time Ultima Chase winner Corach Rambler has the 2017-winning trainer-jockey combination of Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox at the helm.

Here we run through all 40 horses in the field:

Grand National 2023: Betting guide as all 40 horses rated and ranked

All 40 horses’ chances of Aintree glory rated

Mike Jones15 April 2023 13:05

A look at all 40 runners: No. 40 - Recite A Prayer

Form: 102300 / Official Rating: 142 / Weight: 10st 1lb / Age: 8 / Jockey: J B Foley / Trainer: Willie Mullins

Another Willie Mullins runner in the race and a bigger priced entry.

Well back in the Becher Chase over these fences in December but at least has experience over these obstacles and stayed well to be 3rd in the Cork National back in November over 3m4f.

Mike Jones15 April 2023 13:01

A look at all 40 runners: No. 39 - Cape Gentleman

Form: 92F3304 / Official Rating: 149 / Weight: 10st 8lbs / Age: 7 / Jockey: J S McGarvey / Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon

Fourth to Velvet Elvis last time at Fairyhouse so much more needed. Both career chase wins have been over 2m4f and 2m1f too, so the National trip is a big unknown.

Is also another 7 year-old in the race, so hard to get too jiggy about this John Joseph Hanlon runner.

Mike Jones15 April 2023 12:58

A look at all 40 runners: No. 38 - A Wave Of The Sea

Form: 64P03P / Official Rating: 147 / Weight: 10st 6lbs / Age: 7 / Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald / Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Ran another top race at the Dublin Racing Festival in February but since pulled up in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.

Only 7, but the big negative is the trip with all his best runs to date coming over a lot shorter.

Mike Jones15 April 2023 12:55

A look at all 40 runners: No. 37 - Born By The Sea

Form: -23530 / Official Rating: 137 / Weight: 9st 10lbs / Age: 9 / Trainer: Paul John Gilligan

Massive stamina doubts having spent the large majority of his career racing over shorter and even that form leaves him with plenty to find.

Mike Jones15 April 2023 12:52

A look at all 40 runners: No. 36 - Escaria Ten

Form: 829-27 / Official Rating: 151 / Weight: 10st 10lbs / Age: 9 / Trainer: Gordon Elliott

Beaten a nose by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last season but stamina limitations were exposed, not for the first time, when weakening late to finish ninth in the National last year.

Mike Jones15 April 2023 12:49

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in