Want to know what the Grand National runners are this year? Then you’ve come to the right place. This is the dedicated page for Grand National horses running in the world’s most famous steeplechase. For the time it takes to race around two circuits and over 30 spruce-covered fences at Aintree racecourse near Liverpool, Merseyside becomes the centre of the sporting universe.
Around 600,000,000 people across the planet watch the Grand National runners and riders in action, while about two-thirds of British adults place a bet on the race. It clearly matters to a whole host of people in the UK and around the globe. Why is that? Well, the Grand National is unique in the horse racing world.
A field of 40 horses run in this handicap over larger than average fences including the Canal Turn and Becher’s Brook. The distance of about four miles and two furlongs is further than any other event contested under the Rules of horse racing as defined by The Jockey Club and British Horseracing Authority. That means the trip takes some getting and it is common for fewer than half of the Grand National runners to complete the course.
It is the ultimate test of horsemanship and equine stamina. Grand National jockeys have in recent years been compelled to walk the course if they lack experience of the Aintree fences. That is very important, so they can fully appreciate the size of the challenge awaiting them and their mounts, as well as the obstacles they need to cross. The Grand National’s history is packed full of infamous incidents and the race is nothing if not unpredictable. Before we move on to looking at the Grand National runners 2023 , we’ll explain how the race works.
How does a horse get into the Grand National line up?
Not just any animal can be one of the Grand National horses. There are strict conditions about which horses can be entered in the race. Below is a summary of the terms they must fulfill in order to make the Grand National line up and run at Aintree:
- Horses must be aged seven and above
- Prior to a specified date (usually two-and-a-half weeks before the Grand National), they must have run (come under starter’s orders) in a steeplechase in the current National Hunt season
- Placed first, second, third or fourth in a steeplechase with an official distance of two miles seven-and-a-half furlongs or further at any time in their career
- Allotted an official rating by the BHA handicapper of 125 or more, taking into account all races up to and including the Sunday before the Grand National runners and weights are published
- To qualify for a rating, horses must have run at least three times in steeplechases run under the Rules of Racing up to and include that date
The BHA handicapper must rate all horses initially entered and come up with special allotted weights for the Grand National, which are usually published in the second week of February. Only the 40 highest rated horses in the list of Grand National runners can line-up at Aintree. However, it is common for owners and trainers to forfeit their entries following the early closing stage if their animals are injured or perform below par in subsequent races. The highest rated horses is given top weight of 11 stone 10 pounds. Those below him carry less weight relative to the difference between their rating and the top-rated horse. A weight of 10 stone is the minimum any horse can carry.
See prices for all Grand National Runners using our odds comparison tool
Even before runners and riders are finally confirmed, you can get involved with Grand National betting on this fabulous event. Markets on the race, or the next running of it, will be up pretty much all year round. Bookmakers will at first price up a potential Grand National list of horses of potential runners who could have it as their end of season target, and you should be able to find plenty of great Grand National tips to help you out.
This will be available until official early closing entries are known and then the horses that aren’t within those are taken out. Bookies will continue to revise the Grand National runners as owners and trainers forfeit their entries right up until the final field of 40 is known. The great thing is you can compare the prices of all these all the time through our odds comparison tool. It works just like a search engine.
Simply enter the names of Grand National horses you want to look at and then filter the results. You will see the best price for those animals displayed and which bookmakers offer those odds. Members of the OpenOdds community will also have rated their sportsbook, so you know what other gamblers think of the service provided. It really is that simple and straightforward to use our odds comparison tool.
We even include details of bookmakers’ welcome bonus, because you never know the ones offering the most competitive prices may be firms you don’t have an account with. This might tempt you into signing up and joining their sportsbook. We are always looking to improve our odds comparison tool and make it even better. You can also use it to do so much more than track down prices for Grand National runners 2023 with other big races and major sports all included. Here’s a quick rundown of all of the Grand National race times.
Previous winning Grand National jockeys
In the past 20 years, the following riders have won on board Grand National runners in the big one at Aintree:
- 2018 – Davy Russell
- 2017 – Derek Fox
- 2016 – David Mullins
- 2015 – Leighton Aspell (2)
- 2014 – Leighton Aspell
- 2013 – Ryan Mania
- 2012 – Daryl Jacob
- 2011 – Jason Maguire
- 2010 – Tony McCoy
- 2009 – Liam Treadwell
- 2008 – Timmy Murphy
- 2007 – Robbie Power
- 2006 – Niall Madden
- 2005 – Ruby Walsh (2)
- 2004 – Graham Lee
- 2003 – Barry Geraghty
- 2002 – Jim Culloty
- 2001 – Richard Guest
- 2000 – Ruby Walsh
- 1999 – Paul Carberry
As you can see, only two jockeys have more than one win on Grand National horses in that time. That alone should illustrate just how difficult it is to win this race. Tony McCoy, for example, was 20 times champion jockey but only managed one Grand National victory during his illustrious career in the saddle.
What that also tells you is that luck plays as much a part of being on aboard a winner in this race as skill. That does not mean riders can take liberties. The Aintree fences have to be respected and horses must jump them with care, so tender handling from jockeys and the ability to see a stride going into them are essential. Keeping a horse out of traffic and thus avoiding the potential to be brought down by a faller in front is also a big decision for riders to make as they ride around the Grand National course.
The best laid plans can easily go astray at Aintree, so a jockey also has to be able to react quickly to what is going in and around their mount. Grand National runners and riders alike can be proud just to complete the course. In 2001, only two finished without being remounted. It really is a serious test of horsemanship.
2019 Grand National runners and riders
Below is the full list of Grand National runners for the 2019 race. Remember, only 40 horses are allowed to race. We’ve got all the Grand National runners and weights right here. These final declarations are confirmed two days before. The booked Grand National jockeys and trainers are below the name of each runner. This is the full 2019 Grand National list of horses and their riders:
1 Anibale Fly 11-10
J: Mark Walsh
T: Tony Martin (IRE)
2 Valtor 11-06
J: Daryl Jacob
T: Nicky Henderson
3 Tiger Roll 11-05
J: Davy Russell
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
4 Outlander 11-04
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
5 Don Poli 11-03
J: Patrick Mullins
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
6 Go Conquer 11-03
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
7 Mala Beach 11-02
J: Jamie Codd
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
8 Minella Rocco 11-01
J: Richie McLernon
T: Jonjo O’Neill
9 Lake View Lad 11-01
J: Henry Brooke
T: Nick Alexander
10 Pleasant Company 11-01
J: Paul Townend
T: Willie Mullins (IRE)
11 Ballyoptic 11-01
J: Tom Bellamy
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
12 Dounikos 11-00
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
13 Rathvinden 11-00
J: Ruby Walsh
T: Willie Mullins (IRE)
14 One For Arthur 11-00
J: Derek Fox
T: Lucinda Russell
15 Rock The Kasbah 10-13
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
16 Warriors Tale 10-13
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
17 Regal Encore 10-12
J: Johnny Burke
T: Anthony Honeyball
18 Magic Of Light 10-11
J: Paddy Kennedy
T: Jessica Harrington (IRE)
19 A Toi Phil 10-11
J: Denis O’Regan
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
20 Jury Duty 10-11
J: Robbie Power
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
21 Noble Endeavor 10-10
J: Mark Enright
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
22 Monbeg Notorious 10-10
J: Sean Bowen
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
23 Ramses De Teillee 10-09
J: David Noonan
T: David Pipe
24 Tea For Two 10-09
J: Lizzie Kelly
T: Jane Williams
25 Just A Par 10-02
J: Aidan Coleman
T: James Moffatt
26 Step Back 10-07
J: Nico De Boinville
T: Mark Bradstock
27 Ultragold 10-07
J: Tom O’Brien
T: Colin Tizzard
28 Blow By Blow 10-06
J: Andrew Ring
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
29 Up For Review 10-06
J: Danny Mullins
T: Willie Mullins (IRE)
30 Singlefarmpayment 10-06
J: Paddy Brennan
T: Tom George
31 Vieux Lion Rouge 10-06
J: Tom Scudamore
T: David Pipe
32 Valseur Lido 10-06
J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead (IRE)
33 Vintage Clouds 10-04
J: Danny Cook
T: Sue Smith
34 General Principle 10-04
J: JJ Slevin
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
35 Livelovelaugh 10-04
J: David Mullins
T: Willie Mullins (IRE)
36 Walk In The Mill 10-04
J: James Best
T: Robert Walford
37 Folsom Blue 10-04
J: Luke Dempsey
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
38 Captain Redbeard 10-03
J: Sam Coltherd
T: Stuart Coltherd
39 Bless The Wings 10-03
J: Robbie Dunne
T: Gordon Elliott (IRE)
40 Joe Farrell 10-02
J: Adam Wedge
T: Rebecca Curtis
R2 The Young Master 10-02
J: Sam Waley-Cohen
T: Neil Mulholland
R3 Isleofhopendreams 10-02
J:
T: Willie Mullins (IRE)
R4 Exitas 10-02
J:
T: Phil Middleton
Horses withdrawn at or since five-day declarations stage
Bristol De Mai
Alpha Des Obeaux
The Storyteller
Sub Lieutenant
Yala Enki
Blaklion
Shattered Love
Mall Dini
Sandymount Duke
Daklondike
Pairofbrowneyes
Ms Parfois
Abolitionist
Polidam
Alpha Des Obeaux
The Storyteller
Sub Lieutenant
Yala Enki
Blaklion
Shattered Love
Mall Dini
Sandymount Duke
Daklondike
Pairofbrowneyes
Ms Parfois
Abolitionist
Polidam
