The Randox Grand National hasn’t favoured British-trained horses recently. Since 2015, Irish-trained horses and one Scottish-trained horse have largely dominated.
Ireland’s Recent Grand National Dominance
Irish yards were responsible for the first three to finish last April. The year before that, they claimed the first four spots. In 2023, Corach Rambler, trained in Scotland, won, but six of the next runners home were from Ireland.
British Trainers Aim to Turn the Tide
Despite recent results, there’s a sense of optimism among British trainers this term. Paul Nicholls suggested momentum was swinging back “towards us”. Ben Pauling has spoken confidently and secured big-race victories with The Jukebox Man in the King George and Meetmebythesea at Cheltenham.
Nicky Henderson said “we have a lot of good horses over here”. Dan Skelton looks to have wrestled the champion trainer title from Willie Mullins, through weight of numbers and winning valuable handicaps. British trainers also won all the handicap chases at the Cheltenham Festival this time.
Haiti Couleurs: A Key British Contender
If focusing on British horses, and crossing off all the Irish horses, there are 11 from England in the current top-40 (34 will run, with six reserves). Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis in Pembrokeshire, is a fascinating non-Irish runner.
One of five British candidates priced at 20/1 or shorter, Haiti Couleurs has a strong record. The nine-year-old will be bidding to follow in the footsteps of Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde and I Am Maximus, who also won the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.
Haiti Couleurs has also won this season’s Coral Welsh Grand National. His record in handicap chases reads 211111. Any further rain would no doubt make him a popular pick under champion jockey Sean Bowen.
Other British contenders include The Real Whacker, Marble Sands and Beauport, though they are all triple-figure prices.
Looking Ahead
- The Randox Grand National hasn’t been much fun for the ‘home’ team in recent years.
- Last April Irish yards were responsible for the first three to finish, and it was the first four the year before that.
- British trainers also won all the handicap chases at the Cheltenham Festival this time.
The question remains whether the most valuable prize of its type stays on these shores in the future.