Grand National 2024 Favourites: Leading Contenders + Grab £140 in Free Bets & Bonuses

There is no bigger roar from a racecourse crowd than when a favourite takes up the lead and storms clear for a memorable victory - and that is no different for Aintree's showpiece event, the Randox Grand National.

Winning favourites have been hard to come by in the National, however, with just 12 successful in the last 100 years, but the tide is turning and favourites have won two of the last four contests, including this year's favourite Corach Rambler last season.

The record of favourites in the last ten runnings reads 3504P1PB1 (race cancelled in 2020), but Corach Rambler's victory last year also saw horses who were second and third in the betting finish in the places, so it is wise to also consider those in the top six in the betting, especially when backing each-way.

Below you'll find our expert's view on the 2024 Grand National favourite Corach Rambler, as well as the next four in the betting, while we detail how you can take advantage of some generous bookmaker welcome bonuses ahead of Saturday's big race.

Who is the 2024 Grand National favourite?

I Am Maximus @7-1 with BetUK

Among the backmarkers for an awfully long way in the Irish National at Fairyhouse (3m5f, soft) last April but he still got up close home. That couldn't have augured better for this longer distance and he's raised his game further for two wins (2m4f/3m1f) back at Fairyhouse, the latest of which (easily from Vanillier) makes him look well handicapped. Still doesn't fly his fences and tends to take them markedly to his left, so jumping is the big worry but he has plenty going for him otherwise.

Leading Contenders: Other favoured 2024 Grand National runners

Corach Rambler @15-2 with CopyBet

Tasted success at two Cheltenham Festivals before the even sweeter prize of this race last year, when he was never far away and had zero alarms before some idling in front. It looked exceedingly hard work for him from the final fence in the Gold Cup last time, but that was while finishing an excellent third with career-best form. He's 13lb higher than last year but still well in and should go well if the Gold Cup did not make him dig too deep.

Limerick Lace @9-1 with CopyBet

Won three of her four starts this term, including last month's 2m4f Grade 2 Mares' Chase at Cheltenham, and the exception was her second to Coko Beach in the 3m Troytown at Navan (not her best jumping, crowded). Seven-year-olds can no longer be ruled out straightaway, following Noble Yeats's triumph in 2022, but a stronger indication of stamina from her would be preferable.

Mahler Mission @12-1 with bet365

Usually front-runs or races prominently; best known for last year's National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (3m6f, soft; has won well on soft to heavy) where he was four lengths ahead when falling two out; that left a stamina question unanswered but he resumed improvement to be second in the big 3m2f handicap at Newbury in November when last seen; raised 7lb but he's a second-season chaser who may well improve again and makes serious appeal.

Panda Boy @12-1 with BetUK

Wore cheekpieces on last two starts when doing excellent late work to be second of 27 to Meetingofthewaters in a top handicap chase and fourth of 22 in a major handicap hurdle, both 3m at Leopardstown (soft; unproven on heavy); that suggested stamina reserves and his run in the 2023 Irish National (his only attempt beyond 3m) was creditable, albeit with four rivals moving away from him late on; not dismissed.

Vanillier @14-1 with bet365

Produced a sound jumping display in this race (good to soft; 4lb higher today) last year, finishing strongly as well, but he'd twice been rather messed about in traffic on the second circuit and left with far too much to do before taking second. Similar build-up to last year but has a bit to prove in the mud, while on the other hand soft/heavy ground will place even greater demands on stamina and that is his major strength. Has to be in serious calculations.

How to bet on these Grand National Favourites and Grab £140 in free bets with for the 2024 Grand National

Ready to unlock £140 in free bets & bonuses? Sign up with the following bookmakers ahead of the Grand National. Simply follow these simple steps to get started with any bookmaker:

Go to the bookmaker’s homepage and click ‘New Customer’ to initiate registration.
Complete the registration form, choosing a username and password.
Make an initial deposit to activate your account.
Begin placing bets on any sport.
Free bet tokens will be automatically credited to your account.
Repeat this process with each bookmaker to maximize your betting experience.

Grand National free bets: Grab £140 in free bets & bonuses with these bookmaker offers

Unlock £140 in free bets & bonuses for the 2024 Grand National - grab these Grand National new customer betting offers below ahead of Saturday:

Total: £140 in free bets & bonuses

Claim £140 in free bets for the Grand National here plus each bookmaker’s terms & conditions

CopyBet Grand National Free Bets

Bet £10 on the Grand National through CopyBet and unlock £50 in free bets

New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a single or multiple bet, start at £10, and have 1.9 or greater odds.5 Free bets include:1 x £ 10 Free bet on horse racing1 x £ 10 Free bet on football2 x £ 10 Free bet in-play1 x £ 10 Free bet Acca7 day expiry. Full T&Cs apply.

Kwiff Grand National Free Bets

Kwiff is offering a £30 free bet bonus when you bet £10. Grab this betting offer for the Grand National

18+ only. New customers only. £10 minimum deposit and bet required. Available once per customer. Accumulation of smaller bets do not count. Cashed out bets do not count. Full Ts & Cs apply.

BetUK Grand National Bonuses

Place a £10 bet on the Grand National at BetUK and receive £30 in bonuses

New customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. T&Cs Apply.

Bet365 Grand National free bets

Get £30 in free bets guaranteed from bet365 when you make a £10 wager on the Grand National

New customers at bet365 only. Minimum deposit requirement. Free bets are paid as bet credits. Free bets available upon settlement of qualifying bets. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. 18+, begambleaware.org

For more Grand National betting offers and free bets for new and existing customers, be sure to explore the promotions provided by other top bookmakers in the UK and Ireland:

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.

Harry WilsonReporter

Published on 13 April 2024inBetting offers

Last updated 10:55, 13 April 2024