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In the eyes of many horse racing fans and sports fans in general, the Grand National stands out as the pinnacle of horse races. This event has roots tracing back to 1839 and greets spectators every April at Aintree Racecourse. Many view the Grand National as the toughest steeplechase in the sport, packed with a large field of runners and thirty jumps. A challenging stretch of 4 miles 2 ½ furlongs makes this race extremely competitive and near enough unpredictable.
The large number of runners in the legendary Grand National race means that horses of all different types are running. Any horse aged seven and over can enter, so there are runners of various ages. Horses must also have a rating of 125 and above via the British Horseracing Authority, so naturally, there are runners of all ability levels. There will even be horses with different body types and skin colours. But just how many grey horses have performed well in the Grand National? And how many have won it?
How Many Grey Horses Have Won The Grand National?
Only one grey horse has ever won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Unfortunately, things don’t get much better where grey horses and the Grand National are concerned because, in its entire history, which is creeping closer and closer to two hundred years, only three greys have crossed the line in first place. The Lamb won the race in 1868 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver in 1961, and Neptunes Collonges in 2012.
The Lamb’s two successes mean it’s the only grey horse to win the Grand National on more than one occasion and the first grey to win the race. It took around a century for another grey to cross the finish line first when Nicolaus Silver won the race in 1961, showing how rare a grey winner is. It was then over half a century for the next in 2012 with Neptune Collonges, and the wait goes on for the next. Could the 2024 Grand National be the year a grey wins the race again? Or will the wait go on a bit longer?
How Many Grey Horses Ran In The 2023 Grand National?
Four grey horses ran in the 2023 Grand National. And, believe it or not, two of the four finished in the first three where the result of the race was concerned. Corach Rambler, not a grey horse, went off as favourite and won the race with Derek Fox on board. But Vanillier, which finished second under Gavin Cromwell and Willie Mullins-trained Gaillard Du Mesnil, ridden by Paul Townend, which finished third, are both grey horses. The two other greys in the 2023 Grand National were Eva’s Oskar and Coko Beach, but neither completed the race.
Could Any Grey Horses Be Running In The 2024 Grand National?
After the result in 2023, it’s almost certain that Vanillier will return to the race and look to go from placing to winning. So, not only will there be at least one grey involved in the race, but there will also be one grey horse with a legitimate chance of being victorious on the day. Corach Rambler, the reigning champion, is priced at 7/2* at present, but Vanillier is close behind at 9/1*. It’s also highly likely that Coko Beach will run again in the 2024 renewal, currently priced at longer odds of 40/1*.
The key contenders
We’re spoilt for choice this 2024 when it comes to betting on grey horses at the Grand National. Here’s the 5 that are competing this year.
- Vanillier – currently priced at 9/1*, beaten by I Am Maximus at the Bobbyjo Grade 3 race at Fairyhouse end of February.
- Panda Boy – currently priced at 12/1*, was no match for Meetingofthewaters in the PP Chase at Leopardstown 27 December 2023.
- Coko Beach – currently priced at 40/1*. It’s not looking good for Coko Beach as their odds have drifted from 20/1 to 33/1 to 40/1.
- Eldorado Allen – currently priced at 66/1*. They pulled up at their most recent meeting at the Ultima Handicap chase at Cheltenham.
- Empire Steel –
currently priced at 80/1*.Placed 2nd to Fontaine Collonges in a Handicap Chase at Wetherby racetrack on boxing day 2023. UPDATE: Empire Steel did not make the cut-off point and is not confirmed.
Grand National FAQs
Where can I bet on the Grand National?
If you want to bet on the Grand National, head to BetVictor and select A-Z Sports and Horse Racing. Grand National betting is currently available under the Future tab in the Aintree category.
How can I bet on the Grand National?
To bet on the Grand National, you must register an account at BetVictor by hitting the sign-up button. You must then credit your account to place a bet on the race, which is in the Horse Racing category.
Grand National Betting
For many punters, horse racing betting is all about the Grand National. It’s the most famous race in the sport, and Grand National odds are always available at BetVictor, even immediately after the race for the following year. As are markets for other races, with Gold Cup odds also readily available.
You don’t have to bet on horse racing or even sport at BetVictor, as there is betting for other categories, such as US Presidential Election 2024 odds under Politics, and there’s also an Entertainment section, where there are Eurovision Song Contest 2024 odds, for example.
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