Those looking for Grand National clues ahead of the big meeting at Aintree were treated to a host of impressive Cheltenham Festival performances, as a new name moved to the head of the betting.

Corach Rambler showed impressive pace to get the better of Fastorslow and Monbeg Genius in the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one of Cheltenham. His performance went down well across the board, with betting sites instantly making him their new Grand National favourite. And the expectations were met the previous weekend when he won the 2023 Grand National/

Gaillard Du Mesnil and Delta Work also enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival, winning the National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase and Cross Country Chase respectively, but their collective wins may prove something of a poisoned chalice if previous Grand National trends continue.

That’s because, since 1961, only three horses have managed to win at the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National in the same season, a stat which could leave the door open for some other Grand National favourites to take advantage. Obvious contenders include the top two in last year’s race, Noble Yeats and Any Second Now. Check here for more information on Grand National 2024 ante post

Noble Yeats caused a huge shock when winning the National as a seven year old, and he has gone on to run well throughout the current season, most recently impressing when finishing fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Any Second Now is also hard to ignore, having followed up his third place finish two years ago by going one better in 2022. Despite carrying top weight this time round, trainer Ted Walsh was cautiously optimistic about Any Second Now’s Grand National prospects after his most recent run, saying, “I'm happy with him now. Any time he has gone to Aintree he has gone with a win, in this race twice and the Bobbyjo last year. He's been a model of consistency.”