Grand National 2024 tips and ones to watch: Panda Boy can romp home in tailor-made test

Our horse racing tipster takes a deep dive into the world’s most famous jumps race and gives his selections
Paul O'Brien13 April 2024

The Grand National is a special race that often produces the most remarkable headlines, from Red Rum’s three-peat in 1977 to, more recently, Tiger Roll becoming the only other back-to-back winner in 2019 and Sam Waley-Cohen winning aboard 50/1 Noble Yeats in his final ever ride in 2022.

Noble Yeats is back this year but will have to defy top weight to win for a second time. Corach Rambler, the 2023 winner, is the favourite as he bids to emulate Tiger Roll with successive wins. Will one of the old guard again take the spoils or is a new name set to go up in lights? Paul O’Brien picks out his ones to watch and his best bet.

I am Maximus

Winner of the Irish Grand National last year, he returned to action at the start of the jumps season in fine form beating Found A Fifty at Fairyhouse. Won very impressively last time out, also at Fairyhouse, beating Vanillier but his jumping ability might well let him down.

Corach Rambler

The ten-year-old started this jumps season in very lacklustre fashion and had a long break before a fabulous third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That is probably the best form of any in the race and it is easy to see why he is well-fancied to retain the crown.

Vanillier

Finished strongly in this race last year to come second. He is 9lbs better off with Corach Rambler this time around, but the margin by which he lost to I am Maximus does understandably prompt doubts if he can go one better this year.

Latenightpass

A proven stayer who came second and then first in cross-country handicap chases at Cheltenham in November and December. Can be forgiven a slightly disappointing warm-up run at Haydock two months ago and is good value at a price now having been reunited with trainer Tom Ellis.

Limerick Lace

One of the two mares in the race, seven-year-old Limerick Lace stayed on well to defeat Dinoblue in the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham festival. Did the same when taking on those of the opposite sex in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan back in November, cutting her way through the field In the home straight but not able to get to Coko Beach.

Best bet: Panda Boy

My selection for the 2024 Grand National is Panda Boy. Fifth in the Irish Grand National last year, he hasn’t won a race since 2022, which why he remains so well weighted compared to the rest of the field.

He showed in his last two starts at Leopardstown that he is desperate to be tried over the marathon distance, staying on well to make late headway to get into contention in those three-mile races. He can take full advantage of his lighter load to come home first in these testing conditions.

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