85 horses have been entered for the 2023 Grand National at Aintree, the most famous steeplechase in the world. They include last year’s winner Noble Yeats and 2022 runner-up Any Second Now.
Under the hands of amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen, on what was his final ride in the saddle, Noble Yeats prevailed by just over two lengths in 2022. He is likely to have much more than 10st 10lb on his back this time when the official handicapper announces the weights for the field.
The Grand National winner is BACK!
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 3, 2022
Noble Yeats flies home late to win the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree... pic.twitter.com/XLH5WAJXmk
Since he prevailed at Aintree last April, Noble Yeats has been successful twice on the track. He won a Listed race at Wexford, while more recently, he scored in a Grade Two contest back at the Merseyside racecourse.
Emmet Mullins’ runner is a strong contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, a reflection of how highly he is now rated. He is set to take on Irish star Galopin Des Champs and defending champion A Plus Tard in that race.
Grand National tipsters will consider the weight allocation Noble Yeats is given before determining whether they feel he can defend his crown. Red Rum (1973, 1974) and Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) are the only two horses in the last 50 years to win the race in back-to-back years, so he will need to defy the stats.
With the Grand National being the most popular betting race in the UK’s National Hunt season, the best horse racing tipsters in the sport will study the form and weights of all the runners in the final field of 40, including Noble Yeats. Sports Betting Portfolio has tipsters with expert knowledge of the stayers’ division in the sport, so they will be able to identify which are the best-handicapped horses at Aintree.
Noble Yeats is currently available at +800 in betting for the world’s most famous steeplechase. He is the ante-post favorite this time around, and he is sure to have his supporters after his impressive performance last season.
Any Second Now Bidding to Go One Place Better
Fellow Irish horse Any Second Now is set to join Noble Yeats in making the trip across the Irish Sea for the Grand National this year. He chased home the winner in the race last April.
🗣 “We're a small yard, we'll stay a small yard but we like having the odd really lovely horse”
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) April 10, 2022
Ted Walsh reflects on Any Second Now's second placed finish in the Grand National 👇
Ted Walsh’s chaser led for large parts of the 2022 race but was just unable to match the pace of Noble Yeats in the home straight at the Merseyside racecourse. Since then, he has appeared twice, with a second-place finish at Punchestown being the best of his performances.
Any Second Now’s trainer won the Grand National in 2000 with Papillon. The Irishman will be hoping his latest star chaser can add his name to the famous roll of honor in the race.
The 2023 Grand National takes place on April 15, and the final declarations for the 40-runner field, along with any reserves, will be announced on April 13.
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