For years, winning at the Cheltenham Festival has proved something of a poisoned chalice when it comes to the Grand National, but that hasn’t prevented a trio of horses from being backed ahead of the Aintree marathon.
Corach Rambler was backed into favouritism immediately after winning the Ultima Handicap Chase on the first day of the Festival, and has continued to shorten since then. Gaillard Du Mesnil and Delta Work are the other Grand National runners to have their odds cut following wins at Cheltenham, with Corach Rambler heading the betting at 6/1.
Yet, despite all the good that comes from a Cheltenham Festival victory, they’ll have to overcome a stat that has stood the test of time. Since 1961, only three horses have successfully followed up wins in March’s Cheltenham Festival by winning the Grand National in the same season.
For those that follow such trends closely, that may open the door for Noble Yeats to win back-to-back Nationals, with the eight year old also featuring prominently in the betting after impressing with a battling fourth place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Latest Grand National betting*:
Corach Rambler 6/1
Noble Yeats 8/1
Delta Work 10/1
Mr Incredible 14/1
Gaillard Du Mesnil 14/1
Bar 16/1
*odds correct at 5pm on 5th April 2023.
