Despite their popularity with racegoers and punters, grey horses have a pretty poor record over the iconic Grand National fences.
Incredibly, just three greys have been first past the post in 176 runnings of the world’s greatest steeplechase, and the first member of the exclusive club, The Lamb, got the job done in 1868 before repeating the feat three years later.
Fast forward 90 years for Nicolaus Silver to defy a 28/1 starting price to become the second grey to score in the Grand National before another lengthy drought to wait for Neptune Collonges to beat Sunnyhillboy in a photo finish in 2012.
The big question is… can another glorious grey gallop their way into the history books on Saturday?
Well, there will be a fab four will be in town (nope, not the Beatles) to take their place in the world famous race.
You can run the rule over our latest Grand National odds on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise details of the grey runners are below.
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Coko Beach
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Gainford Age: 9 Weight: 11st 8lbs
Coko Beach is taking in his third Grand National but it would be a big surprise if he manages to score after finishing 66l behind Noble Yeats when eighth in 2022 and pulling up last year.
The nine-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career having landed the Troytown last November, although a handicap mark of 161 looks like a tough ask.
Eldorado Allen
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 10 Weight: 11st 0lbs
It is more than two years since Eldorado Allen was first past the post and it seems fair to say the multiple Grade 2 winner is on the decline.
The Grand National represents a significant step up in trip, although last December’s Coral Gold Cup fourth can offer a glimmer of hope for connections.
Vanillier
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Gavin Cromwell is hoping Vanillier can go one better after staying on impressively to finish second behind Corach Rambler last season and the Irish trainer has made no secret that the Grand National is the big target.
While three wins from 21 races under rules hardly inspires confidence, the 2021 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner is guaranteed to see out the trip if his jumping holds up.
Panda Boy
Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 8 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Martin Brassil is seeking another Grand National winner after saddling Numbersixvalverde to glory in 2006 – and Panda Boy has a featherweight to carry which could prove beneficial if the ground is testing at Aintree on Saturday.
A fifth place in last year’s Irish Grand National displayed his staying credentials and a second place in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December was a career-best effort.
Today’s Aintree Tips
- Grand National tips and runner-by-runner guide to Aintree 4.00 on Saturday
- Paddy Power pundits’ epic cheat sheet of horse racing tips for Aintree
- Aintree tips for Day 3 on Saturday from Rory Delargy
- Mick Fitzgerald’s horse racing tips for Saturday at Aintree
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Aintree on Grand National Saturday
Read These Next on the Grand National 2024
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest Grand National tips
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