Noble Yeats etched his name in the history of horse racing by winning the 2022 Grand National with a fine performance at Aintree. Winning the Grand National is the ultimate prize for owners, trainers, and jockeys, and through the brilliance of Sam Waley-Cohen at the reins, and the preparation by Emmet Mullins, Noble Yeats was able to storm to victory by a comfortable margin. The question on everyone’s lips ahead of the 2023 event will be whether Noble Yeats can follow in the footsteps of Tiger Roll and Red Rum to win successive races.

Mullins’ charge is already the leading contender in the Grand National betting online after a fine season and is currently favourite at 10/1, but there are a number of challengers that will be pushing for the crown. It is the hardest race to win in the National Hunt highlighted by the fact that there have been only two repeat winners in the last 60 years. Noble Yeats does have all the elements needed to win the event, and he has proven that he can perform at Aintree. The eight-year-old is in the prime of his career and should be well-rested for another run at the title.

Noble Yeats has had mixed fortunes on the track since his triumph at Aintree. He returned to action in the Prix Heros XII Chase but was forced to pull up at Auteil by James Reveley after making a mistake at the second fence. It was the right call considering the races ahead in the 2022/23 campaign. He bounced back to form with a brilliant ride in the M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase at Wexford. Mullins’s charge was not considered the favourite for the race, behind Gordon Elliott’s Run Wild Fred. But, Noble Yeats stormed over the line to claim his first win of the season by four-and-three-quarter lengths.

The eight-year-old was prime and ready for his return to Aintree for the Many Clouds Chase in December. The presence of Ahoy Senor meant that Noble Yeats was not the leading contender in the betting odds to win the race, despite his exploits in the National. Noble Yeats put his rival in his place with a brilliant outing as he powered away down the stretch to claim the win by three-and-a-half lengths. The result allowed Noble Yeats to maintain his 100% record at Aintree, giving him plenty of momentum to take into the defence of his crown.

Ahoy Senor could still be a threat should Lucinda Russell opt to place her charge in the National. He earned revenge in their last duel at Cheltenham in January in the Cotswolds Chase, finishing well ahead of his compatriot to win the contest. Noble Yeats was off the pace down in third, showing that he is not invincible over three miles.

Along with Ahoy Senor, last year’s runner-up Any Second Now could cause problems along with Corach Rambler, who defeated Noble Yeats in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Longhouse Poet and Delta Work will also provide a challenge with the latter, finishing third last season out of Elliot’s yard. Noble Yeats has the all credentials to secure a second Grand National win, but it will not be straightforward.