2023 Grand National: Review

The 2023 Grand National was enthralling and here we look back at three days of world class horse racing

The much anticipated 2023 Grand National at the iconic Aintree Racecourse has now concluded after three days of intense racing action including superb victories and shock winners. The action was as enthralling as ever, with thousands of people attending over the course of the event.

Opening Day (Day One) Review – Thursday 13^th April

Day One saw a total of seven races take place. They were: The Manifesto Novices’ Chase, the Jewson Anniversary 4 Year Old Juvenile Hurdle, the Aintree Bowl, the Aintree Hurdle, the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase, the Red Rum Handicap Chase with the Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race the last action to take place on the opening day.

Constitution Hill, ridden by Nico De Boinville had been in unbeaten form this season, which included an impressive win in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

This spectacular form continued in the Aintree Hurdle, leading from the off to take home an emphatic victory at the finish line ahead of Willie Mullins’ Sharjah in second place. Zanahiyr and Epatante rounded off the top four.

There were certainly some shock results on day one, one such example being Shishkin’s win in the Aintree Bowl ahead of pre-race favourite Ahoy Senior, who had to settle for second place. Seeyouinmydreams, who was the favourite for the Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race could only finish 15^th place, with Paddy Brennan riding Dysart Enos to victory.

Rachael Blackmore, who won the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with Honeysuckle, rode Dancing On My Own to victory in the Red Rum Handicap chase ahead of Douglas Talking (2^nd) and favourite Third Time Lucki (9^th).

Ladies Day (Day Two) Review – Friday 14^th April

Racing continued at Aintree on Ladies’ Day with seven further races taking place over the course of the day.

They were: The Air Charter Services Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase, the William Hill Handicap Hurdle, the Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle, the Marsh Steeple Chase, the Randox Supports Race against Dementia Topham Handicap Steeple Chase, the Winners Wear Cavani Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and the Abersoch Land and Sea Handicap Hurdle.

Gerri Colombe very much lived up to the favourites tag in the first race of the day, beating competition from Complete Unknown, Bronn and Galia Des Liteaux who occupied the remaining spots in the top four.

No Ordinary Joe was the favourite for the William Hill Handicap Hurdle, but could only finish 7^th, with Ben Harvey riding Fennor Cross to victory.

In the Marsh Chase, Fakir D’Oudairies failed to win the race in what would have been for the third successive year, but only narrowly. It was a second place finish for the pre-race favourite, with Harry Cobden winning the race riding Pic D’Orhy.

The only other favourite to win was Inthepocket who won the Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle, managing to finish ahead of Strong Leader and Luccia in second and third place respectively.

Grand National Day (Day Three) Review – Saturday 15^th April

The day of the Grand National race had finally arrived with hundreds flocking to Aintree to be witness to one of horse racing’s most famous races.

Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox, was the favourite to win the festival’s headline race. Fox was looking for his second victory in this race, with his first coming with One For Arthur in 2017. Holding off stern competition from Vanillier, Gaillard Du Mesnil and last year’s winner Noble Yeats, Corach Rambler secured a maiden victory in the race.

The Novices’ Steeple Chase, the opening race of the day, was won by favourite Jonbon who managed to finish ahead of Marvel De Cerisy and Fusain who rounded off the top three. West Balboa also lived up to the favourite tag in the Handicap Hurdle ahead of the likes of Pounding Poet and Mill Green.

Hermes Allen and Flooring Porter were the favourites for the Novices’ Hurdle and the Liverpool Hurdle respectively, but neither ended up winning their race. It was Irish Point who won the Novices’ Hurdle with Sire Due Berlais emerging victorious in the Liverpool Hurdle.

The final race of the 2023 Grand National, the Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, also saw the favourite lose out. Blizzard of Oz only finished second behind winner Florida Dreams, ridden by Danny Menamin.

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