Grand National: Contenders for 2023

The 174th renewal of the Grand National produced an incredible storyline, with amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen prevailing in the race on his last ride before retiring. Now the countdown is on to the next year's race in 2023.

Waley-Cohen, who had an excellent record over the Grand National fences, became the first amateur since Marcus Armytage in 1990 to prevail in the world's most famous steeplechase. He was also able to complete an impressive double in the two biggest chases in the sport, following his success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2011.

Noble Yeats tops betting for repeat success in 2023

Although Waley-Cohen will not be returning to Aintree in 2023 to ride in the 4m2½f contest again, Noble Yeats is likely to defend his crown. The 2022 winner is the 16/1 favourite to replicate what Tiger Roll did in 2019 by scoring in back-to-back years.

Emmet Mullins' runner is seven years old so remains open to improvement over fences. His victory at Aintree was just his eighth appearance as a chaser. He proved his liking for the bigger obstacles and the marathon trip in the race.

Noble Yeats was fortunate to have 10st 10lb on his back in the Grand National this year, one of the lowest allocations in the field. He will have more weight to carry in 2023, which will make it a greater challenge for the chaser.

There are likely to be a queue of jockeys looking to pick up the ride on the defending champion next season. Mullins, who had his first ever runner in the race with Noble Yeats, will sit down with owner Robert Waley-Cohen to plot what they believe will be the best path back to Aintree for their horse.

Any Second Now can't be discounted again

Any Second Now finished third in the Grand National in 2021. He went one place better in 2022 by chasing home Noble Yeats in what was another fantastic run from the Irish horse in the marathon contest.

Unlike 12 months earlier, Any Second Now got a clear run around the course. He was in contention at the business end of the race, but just could not match the pace of the winner, who had 12lb less on his back.

The front two home were a long way clear of the rest of the pack, so it was a big performance from Ted Walsh's chaser. He should return in 2023 when connections will be hoping it will be third time lucky. The JP McManus-owned horse is 20/1 to prevail and continue his excellent record in the most lucrative National Hunt contest in the sport.

Scottish champion could line up at Aintree in 2023

Welsh trainer Christian Williams has established a reputation for being one of the best trainers for staying handicap chasers. His most successful runner this season has been Win My Wings, with the mare having won the Eider Chaser (4m1½f) and Scottish Grand National (4m).

Connections of the nine-year-old are likely to go for the big one in 2023, and why wouldn't they? Their mare has proved stamina is not a problem for her. She scored by seven lengths at Ayr in the Scottish version of the race earlier this month.

Williams' runner now has an official rating of 154 and if she is declared for the contest, she should have a high enough mark to make the top 40 runners in the list. Her record over fences is very good, as she has a 50% strike-rate.

Win My Wings is 20/1 in the ante-post market for the 2023 Grand National and, as things stand, it would be her first taste of the unique fences at the Merseyside course. She will also be bidding to become the first mare to win the race since Nickel Coin in 1951.

Delta Work and Santini likely to be back

Regular Grade One operator Delta Work has had a great end to the season. He got the better of stablemate Tiger Roll in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Following that up with a third-place finish in the Grand National will encourage connections to stick to these sorts of races.

The Gigginstown-owned horse is 25/1 in the betting to score in 2023. He was one of the highest-rated runners in the field this year, and that is likely to be a case in the renewal next April.

Santini was just over a length behind Delta Work in fourth place at Aintree. Now trained by Polly Gundry, the 10-year-old continues to put himself in contention in some of the biggest staying chases.

The 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up may be given a lighter campaign next season which will help his chances in Liverpool. He is 25/1 in the 2023 Grand National betting to give his trainer he biggest success of her career.