Grand National 2024: Corach Rambler favourite for repeat Aintree victory

Last year's winner Corach Rambler heads the contenders for Saturday's Grand National at Aintree, with the final line-up named on Thursday.

The maximum number of runners for the Aintree contest has been cut to 34 from 40 this year for safety reasons.

Corach Rambler, trained in Scotland by Lucinda Russell, leads British hopes in a field dominated by Irish runners.

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has nine horses guaranteed a run, while compatriot Willie Mullins has eight.

After Monday's confirmation stage, 51 entries remain in the race, with the 34 top-rated horses making the final field.

Scottish National winner Kitty's Light would bid to be the first Welsh-trained winner since Kirkland in 1905 for trainer Christian Williams, whose young daughter Betsy is being treated for leukaemia.

Shakem Up'Arry, a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last month for owner Harry Redknapp, needs several withdrawals to stand a chance of running.

With heavy rain in the build-up, owner Ronnie Bartlett has stated his pair Galvin and Stattler will not take part if the ground is too soft.

Corach Rambler, bidding to be only the second horse after Tiger Roll to win back-to-back Nationals since Red Rum in the 1970s, is about 5-1 favourite with the bookmakers.

Approximate odds: 5-1 Corach Rambler, 7-1 I Am Maximus, 9-1 Vanillier, 10-1 Meetingofthewaters, 12-1 Mr Incredible, Panda Boy, 14-1 Kitty's Light, 16-1 Mahler Mission 20-1 Bar

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