Looking back at 2023 Grand National

All eyes will be on Aintree on Tuesday for the start of the 2024 Grand National, but here we are looking back at last year’s races.

We are now within touching distance of the 2024 Grand National, which is set to get underway on Tuesday, 12th March, at the iconic and historic Aintree Racecourse. The three days of enthralling horse racing will come to an end on Saturday, 13th April 2024.

As mentioned before, Aintree Racecourse is, as ever, the venue for the annual Grand National. One race in particular is arguably just as prestigious and historic: the Grand National Steeple Chase, which takes place on Grand National Day (Day Three). This year, Grand National Day will be on 13th April.

Both the racecourse and the race itself have illustrious histories. Aintree Racecourse was first opened 195 years ago, in July 1829, on land originally owned by the Earl of Sefton, who decided to own the land after encouragement from the owner of the Waterloo Hotel in Aintree, Mr Lynn. In the 1830s, steeplechasing arrived at the racecourse for the first time, and in 1839, the first-ever Grand National Steeple Chase took place there.

The inaugural race winner was Lottery. One of the early stars of this particular race was George Stevens, who still holds the record for the most wins in the Grand National as a jockey despite his last win taking place 154 years ago. His record stands at five, and his wins came with Freetrader (1856), Emblem (1863), Emblematic (1864), and The Colonel (1869, 1870).

Red Rum was the first and is currently the only horse to have won it three times, in 1973, 1974, and 1977.

Finally, as for trainers, three jointly hold the title of being the most successful trainers in the entirety of the Grand National Steeple Chase’s history. They have 4 each, and these particular trainers are as follows: George Dockeray (Lottery – 1839, Jerry – 1840, Gaylad – 1842, Miss Mowbray – 1852), Fred Rimell (E.S.B. – 1956, Nicolaus Silver – 1961, Gay Trip – 1970, Rag Trade – 1976) and Ginger McCain (Red Rum – 1973, 1974, 1977 & Amberleigh House – 2004).

The most recent winner of the Grand National Steeple Chase is the Lucinda Russell trained Corach Rambler from the 2023 renewal, and it was Jockey Derek Fox who rode this horse to victory last year.

Here, ahead of the start of the 2024 Grand National, we are going to take a look back at all three days of action from the 2023 renewal of the Aintree Grand National.

Day One

The race that got the action at Aintree underway last year was the Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novice’s Chase. Pre-race favourite Stage Star, ridden by Harry Cobden came in 5th place, whilst it was fellow jockey James Slevin who rode Banbridge to victory in the end.

The Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle came next, and this time, the pre-race favourite did indeed live up to that tag. Mark Walsh’s Zenta took home the victory after his closest competition, Bo Zenith (Jamie Moore) and Nusret (Daryl Jacob), had to settle for second and third place, respectively.

This was followed by the 2023 renewal of the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase. Nico de Boinville was the winning jockey, riding Shishkin to victory in the race. Trained by the legendary trainer Nicky Henderson, Shishkin was the pre-race favourite and very much withstood the pressure that day.

Next up was the William Hill Aintree Hurdle, and it was a tremendous performance from Nico De Boinville again, managing to stylishly fend off competition from Sharjah (2nd) and Zanahiyr (3rd) to win this race with Constitution Hill.

The third to last race on day one was the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase. This time, the pre-race favourite, Winged Leader, finished in 8th place. Instead, William Buick was the winning jockey in the race, riding Famous Clermont to victory.

Then came the penultimate race of the opening day, the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap. Rachael Blackmore rode her horse Dancing On My Own to victory ahead of runner-up Douglas Talking (Stephen Mulqueen) and 3rd placed The Last Day (Adam Wedge). The pre-race favourite, Third Time Lucki (Harry Skelton), finished 9th.

The final race of the inaugural day of the 2023 Grand National was the Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race. Lorcan Williams’ Golden Ace and Patrick Mullins’ Williamstowndancer occupied second and third, respectively, while Paddy Brennan rode Dysart Enos to victory.

Day Two

Action on the second day of the 2023 Aintree Grand National began with that year’s renewal of the Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase, and it was won by pre-race favourite Gerri Colombe, who was ridden to this victory by Jockey Davy Russell.

The William Hill Handicap Hurdle then followed as the second race to take place on this day. It was won by Ben Harvey, who managed to hold off competition from Buddy One (Jack Gilligan) and Sonigino (Harry Cobden), who came second and third place, respectively.

Race three of the second day was the 2023 Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle, and this time, it was the pre-race favourite who secured the win. The winner was Inthepocket, ridden by Jockey Rachael Blackmore and trained by Henry De Bromhead. Strong Leader (Sean Bowen, 2nd) and Luccia (Nico de Boinville, 3rd) were their closest competition.

The Marsh Chase then came as the fourth race on the Thursday. Pre-race favourite Fakir D’oudairies, ridden by Mark Walsh came close to winning the race but missed out to Harry Cobden’s Pic D’Orhy on the day. Minella Drama, ridden by Brian Hughes, filled the last spot in the top three in third.

Then came the Randox Supports Race against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase, the third to last race on day two of the 2023 Grand National. Sam Twiston-Davies rode Bill Baxter to victory ahead of Nico de Boinville’s Fantastic Lady (2nd) and Brendan Powell’s Killer Kane (3rd).

The penultimate race of the second and penultimate race of the 2023 Grand National was the Winners Wear Cavani Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. Jockey Stephen Mulqueen rode winner Apple Away, whilst Maximilian (Brian Hughes) and Iroko (Mark Walsh) came second and third, respectively.

Finally, the Abersoch Land And Sea Handicap Hurdle came as the day’s last race. Parramount, the pre-race favourite, came 12th and it turned out that the winner was to be Liam Harrison’s Punctuation. He faced stern competition from Blueking D’Oroux (2nd, Angus Cheleda) and Washington (3rd, Lorcan Murtagh).

Day Three

The third and final day of the 2023 Aintree Grand National was that year’s renewal of the EFT Systems Maghull Novices’ Chase. Pre-race favourite Jonbon (Jockey – Aidan Coleman) lived up to the billing to win ahead of Rachael Blackmore’s Marvel De Cerisy (2nd) and Brian Hughes’ Fusain (3rd).

Jonbon’s victory was followed by another successful pre-race favourite, West Balboa, who went on to win that year’s Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle at Aintree. Jockey Harry Skelton saw off Pounding Poet and Mill Green, who filled the other two spots in this race’s top three.

Then came the 2023 running of the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, which was the third and final day’s third race of that Saturday afternoon. Pre-race favourite Hermes Allen did finish in the top three but came out of this race behind second place Kateira and the winner, who was Irish Point, ridden by Davy Russell.

Race Four on Saturday 15th April 2023 was the latest edition of the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle. Mark Walsh was the winning jockey in this particular race, riding Sire Du Berlais to victory ahead of Nico De Boinville’s Marie’s Rock and pre-race favourite Flooring Porter, who had to settle for second and third place, respectively.

The 2023 William Hill Handicap Chase came next as the fifth race of the afternoon, and Midnight River won it. It was yet another win for jockey Harry Skelton, who had to perform well to fend off the challenges of Bowtogreatness (2nd Place) and Kinondo Kwetu (3rd Place).

The sixth race was the previously mentioned Randox Grand National Handicap Chase. Derek Fox’s Corach Rambler, trained by Lucinda Russell, emerged victorious after having been the favourite to win the Aintree Grand National’s most revered race. Vanillier (Sean Flanagan) and Gaillard Du Mesnil (Paul Townend) who came second and third place respectively.

The final race of the Aintree Grand National last year was the 2023 Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race. Danny McMenamin managed to ride Florida Dreams to victory ahead of competition from pre-race favourite Blizzard Of Oz (Patrick Mullins) and Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Hasthing, who ended up filling the final two spots in this race’s top three.

Excitement and anticipation are building ahead of the 2024 Grand National, which is set to get underway for three days of enthralling racing from Thursday 11th April 2024.

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