Grand National 2024 LIVE: Latest odds, tips, news and updates ahead of big race at Aintree

Horse racing tipster Paul Millward is swerving the favourite today and has selected Coko Beach as an each-way option instead:

“He was due to run in the abandoned cross country race at the Cheltenham Festival last month, but his preparation for this race has been similar to previous years. He will come into the race fresh and ready to do himself justice, and if he can avoid trouble in the running, a top-six finishing position will be within his grasp.”

Alex Hammond: “I’m going with a horse that actually came second in the Midlands National last time, Mr Incredible. He’s talented and quirky but certainly has the ability to run a big race if all goes to plan, so it’s Mr Incredible for me in the Grand National.”

Ruby Walsh: “I thinkCapodanno, then Delta Work and I’m going to go with Martin Brassil’s other horse Desertmore House. But even listening to Ronnie Bartlett maybe on about Stattler and Galvin [potentially not running] on soft ground, I think there’s a chance Desertmore House could get in so I’m going to stick him in as well, the Kerry National winner.”

Ruby Walsh’s 1-2-3: Capodanno, Delta Work, Desertmore House

The Grand National has implemented a number of new safety measures for the 2024 race, including a reduction in runners from 40 to a maximum of 34.

Here’s a list of the changes made:

• Maximum number of runners down from 40 to 34
• The first fence will be moved 60 yards closer to the start and a standing start – as opposed to allowing the horses to run – for all races over the National fences
• The start will be brought forward from 5.15pm local time to 4pm, therefore ensuring the ground doesn’t dry up too much and become too quick for the horses
• Horses will no longer be led by a handler on course in the pre-race parade to afford the horses more time to prepare
• Loose horses will be caught more easily by changes to the alignment of the running rail on the inside of the course
• The 11th fence will be reduced in height by two inches, from 5ft to 4ft 10in
• Softer foam and rubber ‘toe boards’ will be put at the base of the jumping side of each fence
• More pop-up irrigation to water the course
• The minimum handicap rating for horses will go up from up to 130 from 125, aligning it with all top-level Grade One races
• The introduction of a review panel of industry experts to assess every runner making jumping errors in 50 per cent or more of their most recent eight races

The field has been reduced from 40 horses to a maximum of 34 this year in the interest of safety but that’s still plenty for a pinsticker’s guide to the runners and rider.

The exact field is now confirmed and we’ve rated and ranked all the runners and riders to give you a headstart on the opposition.

Here we run through every horse in the field:

Our horse racing analyst Diarmuid Nolan is taking on the favourite by backing Meetingofthewaters in the Grand National. Here’s why:

“I like the chances of Meetingofthewaters. He was brilliant at Christmas when effortlessly taking the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Chase and won that day at Leopardstown in the shape of a horse who was far better than a mere handicapper. He was unlucky when unshipping his jockey at the Dublin Racing Festival and thereafter he ran a perfect preparation race when third in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival. Meetingofthewaters should handle the test an Aintree Grand National will throw at him.”

The event at Aintree takes place this afternoon and King George VI Chase winner Hewick topped the weights at 11st 12lb when they were announced earlier this year, so will now run in the Aintree Bowl instead. Meanwhile, last year’s winner Corach Rambler was allocated 11st 2lb and appears to be a red-hot favourite heading into the race.

Gavin Cromwell’s Vanillier will carry 10st 8lb and is likely to enter as one of the fancies with several bookmakers, having only been beaten by two and a quarter lengths in last year’s contest.

Here’s everything you need to know about the race:

The Fifa World Cup final, Andy Murray playing at Wimbledon, this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris to name just a few.

History, admiration and half a million pounds are at stake for the 34 contenders who will line up behind the tape at four o’clock on Saturday afternoon. The crowds will be assembled at Aintree Racecourse, families will be huddled around TV screens, millions more will be following along through online blogs or listening to the commentary on the radio.

The Grand National transcends other races by being a living embodiment of history. A snapshot of the present that those watching on know will be remembered in the decades to come.

Read Michael Jones’ big preview of the Grand National here:

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the 2024 Grand National.

The biggest race in the British horse racing calendar has arrived and we’re here to give you all the build-up ahead of the starter’s gun going at 4pm and then all the action from the race itself.