The 2023 Randox Grand National is now just three days away and as the big race fast approaches, why not check up on the very latest Grand National news as well as the up-to-the-minute runners and riders which you can find at grand-national.uk. Here you can also benefit from some generous free bets and other promotions which you can use on the 2023 Randox Grand National on Saturday, 15th April.
Grand National News: Will Rachael Blackmore do it again in 2023?
Rachael Blackmore etched her name firmly into the record books when she became the first woman to ride a winner in the Grand national when she finished first past the post in 2021 aboard Minella Times. The big question is, can she repeat this feat in the 2023 renewal of the world-famous steeplechase?
Blackmore won the Grand National in 2021 aboard JP McManus-owned Minella Times, thus becoming the first and only female winner of the gruelling marathon. She will be bidding for more success in the contest when she partners Henry De Bromhead inmate Ain’t That A Shame on Saturday, 15th April 2023. The Robcour-owned horse enjoyed victory on his first outing over fences last month at Gowran and he is currently a best price of 22/1 with leading bookmaker William Hill to provide Blackmore with a second win in the Aintree showpiece this weekend. Blackmore was brought down last year aboard Minella Times and she is looking forward to taking part in the contest in three days time.
Reliving her famous victory of two years ago, she said: “You need luck in a race like this. It either falls your way or it doesn’t. I feel I had the luck the whole way round.
“I was really enjoying riding him in this race and it is always more enjoyable when they jump like he does. Looking back on it now, I find a lot of enjoyment watching it. That is such a thrill for a jockey to ride a horse that jumps over those fences like he does.
“I could hear the commentator saying I was six lengths or something in front and then, I had a brief moment – Minella Times was still galloping and if I am this far in front and the line is that close – I could get there, but you don’t let yourself believe it until you actually do get there.
“When you get across the line in the Gold Cup, you feel a bit of relief. Whereas here, there was no relief, I genuinely felt like I was going to burst.
“You can be on the best horse in the Grand National but you need so much in your favour to be able to win a race like this. There are 40 runners, 30 jumps, over four miles, there is so much you need to go your way to be the lucky one to get across the line first.”
