Tips for the Grand National 2024 – Predicting the 1-2-3-4 in Saturday’s Big Race

For our Grand National 2024 betting tips, we have asked Ciaran Murphy to predict the first four finishers home in the Grand National and you can see the predictions below.

For the general public, it is the biggest race of the year. Whether you have a selection in a local sweepstake or are having your only bet of the year, there won’t be many households where the Grand National isn’t on the TV at 4.00pm on Saturday. It’s arguably the most competitive race of the year so picking the winner isn’t easy. So to really challenge myself, I am going to try and give you the first 4 home! 

Usually, I would use trends to help build a profile of the likely winner but there a few things to be wary of here. The modern National has undergone some pretty significant changes. The once fearsome fences are now no more difficult than regular season ones, the field has been cut to 34 runners (which makes it slightly less of a lottery) and the race is classier now than ever (the last 2 winners have gone on to place in the Gold Cup the following year). Add in that this will likely be the first national run on Soft/Heavy Ground since Tiger Roll’s first win. 

While historically, the Gran National was seen as a race for older more experienced types, the race has not been won by a horse over 9 since Pineau de Re in 2014. 2 years ago, Noble Yeats also disproved the idea that 7-year-olds cannot win the race. I am of the view that it’s a young person’s game and I am looking at the 7/8 year olds. 

While the National, at 4 miles and 2 ½ furlongs, is without doubt a test of stamina, it also favours those with tactical speed. This can help them to get a position in what will be a sprint along the line of the first 4 fences. Most recent winners had graded from over 2 mile or mid-range trips. (Tiger Roll was a Triumph Hurdle winner and Rule the World was a Grade 2 winner over 2 ½ miles). Even though last year’s winner Corach Rambler is traditionally a hold-up horse, he was actually ridden a little closer to the pace so I would tend to favour prominent racers. 

Previous Attempts: I would tend to favour those who are unexposed at marathon trips, and having your first attempt over the Aintree National fences is no longer a negative in my eyes. With the notable exception of the Tiger, 5 of the last 6 winners were having their first attempt at the race.

 

Grand National Winner Tip 2024

(Prices correct at the time of writing)

• Meetingofthewaters (12/1)

The Ultima at Cheltenham has been used as a warm-up race for the last 2 winners of the race, while the 2021 winner Minella Times prepped by coming second in both the Paddy Power Handicap Chase and the DRF 2 ½  mile Handicap chase (both at Leopardstown). Meetingofthewaters has ran in all 3 of these this season, winning the Paddy Power on soft ground and running a blinder as a staying on 3rd on Heavy ground at Cheltenham.

Owner Paul Byrne knows how to lay one out for the race (Noble Yeats was in his care before a last minute switch to Robert Waley Cohen) and this year, he has sold to JP McManus. He certainly isn’t buying a social runner. Even though he is represented by both I am Maximus and Capodanno, I think Mark Walsh may choose to ride the 7-year-old, certainly a positive as he has been second in the race twice on Any Second Now.

David Mullins said in a Cheltenham Preview that this could be a Gold Cup Horse. If that’s the case, he has to go close off just 10st 7. 

 

Grand National Each-way Betting Tips

• Limerick Lace (25/1)

Limerick Lace is completely unexposed at marathon trips but is from a family of stayers and will surely improve for the step up. She will love the soft ground and is coming into the race off a career best effort, winning the Grade 2 mares chase at Cheltenham and now being 6 pounds well in. Gavin Cromwell trained the runner-up last year and could repeat the feat here. 

• Panda Boy 14/1

A bit of a cliche at this point but Martin Brasil is one of the best target trainers in the game and this has been the target for Panda Boy since his 5th place finish in the Irish National. 

He has been running some very good races this year on soft ground, finishing runner-up to Meetingofthewaters in the Paddy Power at Christmas and now reopposing on 11 pounds better terms for that 4-length defeat. JJ Slevin should be high on confidence after winning the Irish National and be will get in right at the bottom of the weights. Has a definite chance. 

• Longshot: Coko Beach (40/1)

Each year, there is one at a big price who hits the frame and with lots of bookies likely to be paying at least 6 places, it’s well worth having a swing at a big-price contender.

Having his 3rd attempt at the race, he actually led crossing the Melling Road on the second circuit on debut before fading to finish 8th. Losing a shoe certainly didn’t help but the 9-year-old is in the form of his life, winning the Troytown before running a screamer off top weight in the Becher chase. The conditions will be ideal and while he has to carry a lot of weight, this likable grey will give you a great spin for your money. 

 

The Favourite Coarch Rambler? 

While defending champion and favourite Corach Rambler is certainly well handicapped, he had a gruelling race in the Gold Cup and may not be fully recovered. He also will be inconvenienced by soft ground and at 5/1, he is far too short for me. 

Follow Ciaran on Twitter for more horse racing tips.

 

Grand National Top 4 Betting Tips

1. Meetingofthewaters 12/1
2. Limerick Lace 25/1
3. Panda Boy 14/1
4. Coko Beach 40/1

 

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