2023 Grand National

The initial entry of 85 horses was published on 7 February 2023. Only 31 of the horses entered were trained in Great Britain, compared to 54 in the initial entry for the 2022 race. Of the Irish-trained runners, 21 were trained by Gordon Elliott, who will be seeking a fourth Grand National victory as a trainer. Bookmakers made 2022 winner Noble Yeats 10-1 favourite at the time of the entries.[3]

Weight for the race were announced on 21 February 2023. Three horses were given the top weight of 11 stones and 12 pounds; Any Second Now (the 2022 runner-up), Conflated and Hewick. Galvin and Noble Yeats were just behind on 11 stone 11,[4] and Noble Yeats remained the betting favourite at a best price of 11-1. Publication of the weights opened up the possibility that the final field would be dominated by Irish-trained runners, with 41 of the top 60 in the weights trained in Ireland.[5]

Nine horses were withdrawn at the acceptance stage on 7 March. Amongst the withdrawals were the 2021 winner Minella Times, who had been retired, and the fourth-placed horse from 2021 Burrows Saint. Iwilldoit was withdrawn having failed to meet the requirements of running in six steeplechases before 19 February. The withdrawals left 73 possible runners remaining with the next acceptance stage due on 28 March.[6]

A further sixteen horses where withdrawn at the 28 March acceptance stage to leave 57 possible runners. The fifth-placed horse from 2021, Farclas, was amongst the withdrawals and other notable scratchings included Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad and the 2022 Irish Grand National winner Lord Lariat. The betting at this stage was headed by 6-1 chance Corach Rambler, who had won the Ultima Handicap Chase for a second consecutive year, followed by Noble Yeats at 8-1. Only Any Second Now remained from the three top-weighted horses as Conflated and Hewick were withdrawn. Horses intending to run will be confirmed on 10 April and the final field of 40 runners will be declared on 13 April.[7]