Grand National Favourites 2024: Outlining the market leaders for Aintree showpiece

The 2024 Grand National is nearly here and with the world’s most watched steeplechase on the horizon, it's time to take a look at the horses most likely to win the race according to the odds.

Allow us at HorseRacing.Net to guide you through some of the Grand National favourites:

Who are the favourites for the Grand National?

In recent years, the Grand National SP favourite hasn't had a fantastic record, however the Grand National favourites 2024 look a strong group so It would be a surprise were the winner to not come from the following ten names:

I Am Maximus (Ireland)

At the start of the season, I Am Maximus was not considered one of the favourites for the grand national 2024, however following his easy win over Vanillier last time out in the Bobbyjo Chase he rocketed to be one of the Grand National favourites to win. 

Willie Mullins trains and Paul Townend is expected to ride the JP owner charge, and while all his best form is at Fairyhouse he is still only eight and could be still improving. He is also quirky so may love the fences at the first time of asking.

Corach Rambler (Scotland)

Last year’s winner has been one of the favourites for Grand National 2024 all season, and he has soared to be the sole market leader since a fantastic third in the Gold Cup last time out. He is set once again to be ridden by Derek Fox and Corach Rambler’s trainer Lucinda Russell is bullish he can handle the big weight hike he will face in 2024 compared to last year. He is ten so could well be in his prime right now.

Limerick Lace (Ireland)

One of the strongest market movers in recent days, Limerick Lace for JP and Gavin Cromwell will have top rider Mark Walsh on board and will love the ground.

She is still only seven but won the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham on soft ground, with a strong staying performance. Gavin Cromwell seems very confident she will stay, as her breeding suggests, and those who like to back a mare will be siding with her as a real Aintree favourite.

Meetingofthewaters (Ireland)

Another of the favourites to win Grand National this season is Meetingofthewaters, who will again represent Willie Mullins and JP McManus. He ran a smashing race to be best of the Irish in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month and looks a very progressive stayer. 

At just eight his best years are ahead of him and while he’s never tried these fences, he looks the sort who will take to them. Danny Mullins is a shrewd jockey booking.

Panda Boy (Ireland)

A dashing grey, Panda Boy has been well fancied for this race for some time for Martin Brassil. If asking who are the Grand National favourites, it is likely Panda Boy will not quite be the outright market leader however he has outstanding claims.

He has a weight swing with the horse that beat him last time out, Meetingofthewaters, and his connections insist he has ‘the lungs of a whale’. Stamina then will not be an issue, and JJ Slevin is a handy rider presuming he keeps the ride on the eight year old.

Vanillier (Ireland)

Once the weights were announced for the 2024 Grand National, Vanillier became one of the Grand National 2024 favourites to win. Gavin Cromwell’s charge looks very well treated and has a big weight swing with Corach Rambler, the horse he finished second to last season.

Last year’s ride was criticised and as yet we don’t know the jockey for Vanillier, though it is suspected that Sean Flanagan will retain it. In the 2023 Grand National he was seen as being too far back, but the nine year old with a more prominent ride this time around must have a great shot at glory.

Mahler Mission (Ireland)

This year’s Grand National favourites look a special bunch, but none have had as quieter preparation as Mahler Mission. John McConnell’s charge was unlucky not to win the 2023 National Hunt Chase following a blunder late on when looking like the winner, however he has always been a National horse and his placed effort in the Coral Gold Cup in December looks a great prep.

He may want the ground better and could lack experience, but he is certainly talented and could be one of the Grand National horses who go to the front at eight years old.

Mr Incredible (Ireland)

Last season he was running well in the Grand National before a mistake forced his rider Brian Hayes into pulling up following a saddle slip. Now a year older and wiser, he put in a perfect prep to finish second in the Uttoxeter Midlands National.

In 2023, he became one of the Aintree Grand National favourites as the race approached and the 2024 renewal looks like being similar as the money is coming for the former Henry De Bromhead runner. It looks likely he will have Brian Hayes in the plate once more and the eight year old will love the soft ground.

Kittys Light (Wales)

One of the most surprising horses to have made it onto the Grand National favourites list is Kittys Light, who has been running hopelessly all season but does have some great marathon form in the book.

Christian Williams’ stable star would probably prefer the going to be better, but his stamina is not in question and his preparation now looks smart as he has snuck in at the bottom of the weights. Amazingly he is still only eight and if he takes to the fences, he could relish this race off one of the lowest weights.

Grand National Favourites Compared

Below we compare the ages, connections, and best odds for the 2024 Grand National favourites:

How many favourites have won the Grand National?

Just fifteen favourites or co-favourites have won the Grand National since its inception in 1839. This means that over 184 years their hit rate is much worse than one would expect, but it does show the depth of quality and the difficulty the Grand National poses. The winning favourites are as follows:

• Corach Rambler – 2023 (8/1)
• Tiger Roll – 2019 (4/1)
• Don’t Push It – 2010 (10/1jf)
• Comply Or Die – 2008 (7/1jf)
• Hedgehunter – 2005 (7/1)
• Earth Summit – 1998 (7/1)
• Rough Quest – 1996 (7/1)
• Grittar – 1982 (7/1)
• Red Rum – 1973 (9/1jf)
• Merryman II – 1960 (13/2)
• Freebooter – 1950 (10/1)
• Sprig – 1927 (8/1)
• Poethlyn – 1920 (11/4)
• Jerry M – 1912 (4/1jf)
• Drumcree – 1903 (13/2)

Grand National favourites’ results in previous years

Is it better to back favourites to win or each-way?

The great thing about the Grand National is that it is so competitive that the odds on the favourites are still quite good. This means that it's perfectly fine to back the favourites in an each-way bet if you'd prefer the cover of getting a return if your horse finishes placed. Make sure you shop around between bookmakers to get the best possible each-way terms.

Alternatively, if you want to go for a bigger return just back your horse to win. Whatever you choose, good luck!