- Noble Yeats could emulate Tiger Roll by winning back-to-back Nationals
- But worth looking at the bigger price options
- Recommended bets:
- Coko Beach
- The Big Breakaway

Grand National fever is building, with the big race at Aintree now just over a week away.

The National is a great British sporting institution, sitting proudly alongside the likes of the FA Cup Final and Wimbledon as a jewel in the crown.

This year's Grand National goes off at 5.15pm on Saturday, April 15 at Aintree and, with the countdown now in full swing, here is an early look ahead to the most famous jumps race in the world.

Noble Yeats back for more

Last year's winner Noble Yeats ended an 82-year sequence in which no seven-year-old had won the Grand National.

The Emmet Mullins-trained runner stunned the field at odds of 50/1 under amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen in the colours of his father, Robert Waley-Cohen, as he signed off an incredible career that also saw him winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2011 on Long Run.

Now rated 19lb higher going into the 2023 National, Noble Yeats has progressed again this season.

He won a Grade 2 at Aintree in December and was a rallying fourth last month in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He is 8/1 with LiveScore Bet to emulate Tiger Roll, winner in 2018 and 2019, and become only the second horse since Red Rum to defend the National.

Sean Bowen has taken over riding duties this season and they will once more lock horns with 2022 runner-up Any Second Now for trainer Ted Walsh. The latter has been third, then second in two attempts at this race and will look to complete the pattern of progression at odds of 12/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Corach Rambler heads the betting

Scotland's record in the National makes for fairly grim reading, with only Rubustic (1979) and One For Arthur (2017) managing to take the title north of the border.

The latter was trained by Lucinda Russell and she has 6/1 with LiveScore Bet antepost favourite Corach Rambler bidding for glory this time.

Last month he won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for the second year running and, on official ratings, he is 10lb 'well-in' for Aintree. Can he delight Scottish race fans?

Another Cheltenham Festival winner is Gaillard Du Mesnil and he is 14/1 with LiveScore Bet to give all-conquering Irishman Willie Mullins only his second Grand National win, after Hedgehunter in 2005.

Hit the Beach with Elliott contender

COKO BEACH was eighth in this race last year for trainer Gordon Elliott and could fare much better this time around.

He faded late last time, but did so having his seventh run of the season and his fifth since Christmas. This time, it has been a more careful prep with just four runs and only two since late November.

He won the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February in fine style and it appears his trainer has planned for this return to Merseyside impeccably as Elliott goes bidding for a record-equalling fourth win in the race.

Coko Beach has that vital Aintree experience and, now an eight-year-old, should be in his prime in terms of winning this race and he is one to consider at a generous price of 33/1 with LiveScore Bet as the Irish look for a fifth straight win in the Grand National.

Tizzard could lead British Breakaway

If a British-trained runner is to land the race then give some thought to THE BIG BREAKAWAY for trainer Joe Tizzard at odds of 33/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Tizzard has enjoyed a fine first season since inheriting the training license from his father and this would be some way to cap it off.

The Big Breakaway is rated 151 going into the race and will have a very manageable 10st 10lb on his back.

He failed to fire in the Ultima last month won by Corach Rambler but had previously been second at Haydock on his seasonal comeback and again in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow over Christmas.

That Welsh National run was promising and he was giving nearly two stone to the winner that day. He has got a manageable burden now in comparison and could well outrun his odds in the hands of the excellent Brendan Powell.

Racing Post Selection: Coko Beach
Next Best: The Big Breakaway