Grand National 2023 LIVE: Results, reaction and latest updates after dramatic day at Aintree

The most famous event in the British racing calender returns with the Grand National once again returning to Aintree.

First run in 1839, the steeplechase sees the 40 competing horses and jockeys clear 30 fences in the hopes of joining the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll in horse racing history.

Last year’s winner Noble Yeats is in the field once again and is hoping to emulate Tiger Roll’s recent antics and make it back-to-back wins in the Grand National, so do check out our betting guide for the big race, while every runner and rider can be found here too.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Grand National including the best bets and tips for the racecard at Aintree:

The Grand National is always a bit of a pot luck race with any of the 40 runners in contention over the four and a quarter mile course.

Mon Mome won the 2009 National priced at 100/1 so it really is anyone’s game when the horse take to the course at Aintree.

But, as always, there are some favourites that the experts think could go the distance. Here are the thoughts of Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlain speaking to SkyBet:

Oli Bell: “As always, the race is wide-open. I like Delta Work, who finished 3rd in the race last year. Velvet Elvis will run well at a price. Corach Rambler is well-in, and I do think that he can weave his way through, he’s a very talented horse.”

“On the biggest day in sport, I fancy Longhouse Poet to win the Randox Grand National,” added Ed Chamberlain.

There’s just 30 minutes to go before the racing starts on Grand National Day. Five races over various lengths and grades take place before the showpiece at 5.15pm.

Here’s the full Grand National Day Schedule (all times BST):

• 1:45pm: Systems Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
• 2:25pm: Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
• 3:00pm: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
• 3:35pm: Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle (registered as the Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1)
• 4:15pm: Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
• 5:15pm: Randox Grand National Chase (Grade 3)
• 6:20pm: Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)

A spokesperson for Animal Rising has said its planned protest at Aintree on Grand National day is “the first of a campaign of events over the summer”.

Earlier this month, The Mail On Sunday reported more than 100 activists had signed up to take part in a demonstration on April 15 with the aim of disrupting the big race itself, which sees a full field of 40 horses head to post at 5.15pm.

The report said protesters planned to form a human barricade across the track at Aintree after sneaking into the event with ladders and bolt cutters.

Merseyside Police has said it has “a robust policing plan in place” for the meeting, and speaking to TalkSPORT, Alex Lockwood of the Extinction Rebellion offshoot confirmed a protest will begin at 9.30am outside the course.

The 2023 Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, as the famous old race runs for the 175th time.

A trio of fancied horses head the betting with Corach Rambler, Delta Work and Noble Yeats all available around the 8/1 mark.

Noble Yeats is defending his title, although Sean Bowen is aboard this time after Sam Waley-Cohen’s retirement following last year’s triumph, Delta Work is one of six contenders for Gordon Elliott and two-time Ultima Chase winner Corach Rambler has the 2017-winning trainer-jockey combination of Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox at the helm.

Here we run through all 40 horses in the field:

Form: 102300 / Official Rating: 142 / Weight: 10st 1lb / Age: 8 / Jockey: J B Foley / Trainer: Willie Mullins

Another Willie Mullins runner in the race and a bigger priced entry.

Well back in the Becher Chase over these fences in December but at least has experience over these obstacles and stayed well to be 3rd in the Cork National back in November over 3m4f.

Form: 92F3304 / Official Rating: 149 / Weight: 10st 8lbs / Age: 7 / Jockey: J S McGarvey / Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon

Fourth to Velvet Elvis last time at Fairyhouse so much more needed. Both career chase wins have been over 2m4f and 2m1f too, so the National trip is a big unknown.

Is also another 7 year-old in the race, so hard to get too jiggy about this John Joseph Hanlon runner.

Form: 64P03P / Official Rating: 147 / Weight: 10st 6lbs / Age: 7 / Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald / Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Ran another top race at the Dublin Racing Festival in February but since pulled up in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.

Only 7, but the big negative is the trip with all his best runs to date coming over a lot shorter.

Form: -23530 / Official Rating: 137 / Weight: 9st 10lbs / Age: 9 / Trainer: Paul John Gilligan

Massive stamina doubts having spent the large majority of his career racing over shorter and even that form leaves him with plenty to find.

Form: 829-27 / Official Rating: 151 / Weight: 10st 10lbs / Age: 9 / Trainer: Gordon Elliott

Beaten a nose by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last season but stamina limitations were exposed, not for the first time, when weakening late to finish ninth in the National last year.