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The 2022 Randox Grand National: Your guide to all 40 runners

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

Forty horses. Forty jockeys. Thirty fences. One very long run-in. Putting all the pieces of the Randox Grand National jigsaw together can be intimidating for the biggest of racing anoraks, let alone those who bet once a year.

So I’ve stripped this guide down to bare elements. A dozen or so words on each runner, a rating out of ten, the latest odds plus a bit of trivia. And I’ve listed the horses in the order I prefer them. If the quartet at the bottom finish 1-2-3-4 then I doubt you will be reading similar from me in 2023. But it’s the Grand National. It generally pays to expect the unexpected.

Head here to see the full racecard with colours, form and live odds!

If you want a more comprehensive view, then click here for my colleague’s Lydia Hislop’s runner-by-runner guide.

1st ANY SECOND NOW

Any Second Now can win the 2022 Randox Grand National (Focusonracing)

Rating(out of 10): 10. Odds: 10-1

Unlucky third last year and a game winner last time. He ticks all the boxes.

Impress Your Mates (IYM): Trainer Ted Walsh won the National with Papillon in 2000, with son Ruby riding. His Seabass was third in 2012 with his daughter, Katy, in the saddle.

2nd ESCARIA TEN

Escaria Ten has more to offer

Rating: 9.5 Odds: 14-1

Strong form, stays and jumps well. Possibly more to come and a big run on cards.

IYM: Eight-year-olds have won four of the past six renewals. Owner supports Blackburn Rovers.

3rd DELTA WORK

Delta Work and Jack Kennedy afer winning at Cheltenham (focusonracing.com)

Rating: 9. Odds: 10-1

Impressive back catalogue and impressed at Cheltenham last time after a lean patch.

IYM: Like 11 of the past 13 winners of the National, he will be having his first run in the race.

4th DISCORAMA

Discorama is better than he showed last year

Rating: 8.5 Odds: 40-1

Seventh last year but a sense of unfinished business. Stout stayer has had a better prep this time plus wears first-time cheekpieces.

IYM: Part-owned by Andrew Gemmell, who has been blind since birth. A big fan of musical genius Prince, he has enjoyed huge success with his horse Paisley Park.

5th BURROWS SAINT

Burrows Saint was fourth last year (Focusonracing)

Rating: 8. Odds: 25-1

Bold show last year before fading to be fourth. The better the ground, the better his chance.

IYM: Trainer Willie Mullins enjoyed a record ten Cheltenham Festival winners last month.

6th ECLAIR SURF

Eclair Surf is well-handicapped, having run well since the weights were published (Focusonracing)

Rating: 8. Odds: 14-1

The front-runner’s past two efforts merit close attention and, if his jumping holds up, capable of a bold show.

IYM: Trainer Emma Lavelle’s only previous runner in the race, Court By Surprise, was pulled up. Jockey Tom Bellamy has had two rides and has yet to complete.

7th LONGHOUSE POET

Longhouse Poet and Darragh O

Rating: 7.8. Odds: 14-1

Following similar path as the stable’s 2006 winner, Numbersixvalverde, and he’s one of the least exposed in the field.

IYM: Trainer Martin Brassil has had three National runners. Numbersixvalverde won in 2006 and was sixth a year later. And Double Seven was third in 2014.

8th DEATH DUTY

Rating: 7.7. Odds: 40-1

Smart in his youth and still capable as an older model. Stout stayer and lively outsider.

IYM: Owners Gigginstown have had three National winners since 2016: Rule The World (2016) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019).

9th RUN WILD FRED

Rating: 7.6 Odds: 18-1

Runner-up in the Irish National last season and has kept up the good work this term.

IYM: Jockey Davy Russell won on Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.

10th MINELLA TIMES

Rachael Blackmore celebrates aboard Minella Times last year (Photo: Focusonracing)

Rating: 7.5 General odds: 9-1

Fluent winner last year but little spark this term and burdened with top weight.

IYM: Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the National on him 12 months ago. The pair are reunited and been market movers in the past 48 hours.

11th FIDDLERONTHEROOF

Fiddlerontheroof at home with his groom (Francesca Altoft / Focusonracing)

Rating: 7.4 Odds: 16-1

Plenty to like about his overall profile and kept fresh for this but stamina could be a stumbling block.

IYM: Fiddler On The Roof was released on Broadway as a musical in 1964, with the movie version following in 1971.

12th SNOW LEOPARDESS

Snow Leopardess in full flow (Focusonracing)

Rating: 7.3 Odds: 9-1

Great story behind her and jumps for fun but, unless the mud is flying, may be outspeeded.

IYM: The grey mare had a two-year-break from racing while recovering from injury and having a foal. She won over the Grand National fences in December. There have been four previous grey winners: The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012).

Learn more about Snow Leopardess

13th ENJOY D’ALLEN

Rating: 7.2 Odds: 14-1

Infrequent winner but third in the Irish National last year and still unexposed as a stayer.

IYM: Top owner JP McManus, successful with Don’t Push It in 2010 and Minella Times last year, has snapped him up for an undisclosed sum since his last run.

14th KILDISART

Rating: 7.1 Odds: 40-1

He’s got some strong form in staying races but it’s been three years since he last won.

IYM: Trainer Ben Pauling’s riding career was cut short when a piece of rusty barbed wire pierced his right eye.

15th SCHOOL BOY HOURS

Rating: 6.7. Odds: 18-1

Consistent customer who had an excuses when fluffing his lines at Cheltenham last time but the trip may present a problem.

IYM: Jockey Sean Flanagan, based in Ireland, will fly himself over in a friend's plane. Noel Meade is a leading Irish trainer but the closest he has ever come to winning was with Road To Riches, sixth in 2018.

16th COKO BEACH

Rating: 6.8. Odds: 66-1

Age is against Coko Beach (Pic: Focusonracing)

Likeable grey who enjoys being in thick of things but bit to find on form.

IYM: The last seven-year-old to win was Bogskar in 1940. Forty-four have run unsuccessfully in the race already this century.

17th FORTESCUE

Rating: 6.7. Odds: 25-1

Fortescue and jockey Hugh Nugent

Well-in at the weights after his latest Ascot success but his record points to deep ground being essential.

IYM: Trainer Henry Daly has had five runners, but none since 2007. He learnt his trade from Tim Forster, who won with Little Polveir (28-1) in 1989.

18th DE RASHER COUNTER

Rating: 6.6. Odds: 40-1

The 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy winner ran creditably back at Newbury in February after 16 months off.

IYM: Emma Lavelle would become the fifth female trainer to take the spoils.

19th MOUNT IDA

Mount Ida and Jack Kennedy after winning the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last year (Photo: Focusonracing)

Rating: 6.5. Odds: 33-1

She’s interesting moving up in trip in first-time headgear but jumps right and seems a bit quirky.

IYM: Mount Ida is the highest mountain on the island of Crete. The last mare to win was Nickel Coin in 1951.

Flashback: How Red Rum clawed back Crisp in 1973, in the words of the runner-up's jockey Richard Pitman.

20th ANIBALE FLY

Rating: 6.2 Odds: 66-1

Beaten in three previous renewals and without a win since 2017 but has dropped in weights.

IYM: Dual winner Manifesto (1897 and 1899) ran in the National a record eight times. Triple winner Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977) ran in it five times.

21st COMMODORE

Rating: 6.1. Odds: 40-1

Desert Orchid-lookalike put up an exhilarating front-running display at Cheltenham last time. Likely to be up with pace.

IYM: Expect a very strong gallop in this year’s race. Commodore, Éclair Surf, Coth Cap, Run Wild Fred, Coko Beach, Top Ville Ben and Dingo Dollar all usually race up or near the pace.

22nd NOBLE YEATS

Rating: 6.1 Odds: 40-1

The novice is gradually getting his jumping together but he’s in at the deep end. Cheekpieces go on.

IYM: Gold Cup-winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, pictured, who also has an excellent record over the National fences, has announced this will be his final ride before he retires.

23rd MIGHTY THUNDER

Mighty Thunder and Lucinda Russell after winning the Scottish Grand National (Photo: Focusonracing)

Rating: 6. Odds: 40-1

Won the Scottish National last year. However, nothing to shout about since.

IYM: Trainer Lucinda Russell, based in Scotland, won with One For Arthur in 2017.

Watch a full replay of last year's race

24th TWO FOR GOLD

(Pic: Focusonracing)

Rating: 5.9. Odds: 50-1

Well-handicapped and has never stopped improving but stamina/jumping are both niggles.

IYM: Trainer Kim Bailey won with Mr Frisk in 1990.

25th BLAKLION

Rating: 5.8. Odds: 100-1

Fourth in 2017 and sixth last year. Superb jumper but Father Time will be riding pillion.

IYM: The last 13-year-old to win was Sergeant Murphy back in 1923.

26th GOOD BOY BOBBY

Rating: 5.7. Odds: 25-1

Twice a game winner at Wetherby this season but handicapper may now be in charge.

IYM: Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies won with Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree in 2002.

27th TOP VILLE BEN

(Focusonracing)

Rating: 5.6. Odds: 66-1

Stays well but vulnerable away from deep ground and his five falls include one at Aintree.

IYM: Ben Nevis became the third American-owned chaser to win in 1980.

28th FREEWHEELIN DYLAN

Rating: 5.5. Odds: 66-1

Shock 150-1 Irish National winner last season. Easy enough to look elsewhere.

IYM: Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967) and Mon Mome (2009) have been the most recent 100-1 winners.

Jonjo O'Neill remembers Don't Push It's win under AP McCoy

29th CLOTH CAP

Cloth Cap is a fine jumper (Focusonracing)

Rating: 5.4. Odds: 25-1

Pulled up with a breathing problem when favourite 12 months ago. More disappointments have followed. Wears first-time tongue-tie.

IYM: Jockey Tom Scudamore has ridden in the race 19 times without winning. His late grandfather, Michael, won on Oxo in 1959.

30th DEISE ABA

Rating: 5.3. Odds: 100-1

In his element at Sandown but not sure he will enjoy this challenge. Pulled up on five occasions.

IYM: Trainer Philip Hobbs has had 30 runners but never won. He’s twice had the runner-up – What’s Up With Boys (2002) and Balthazar King (2014).

31st SANTINI

Rating: 5.1 Odds: 40-1

Runner-up in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup but his best days look behind him.

IYM: Trainer Polly Grundy won a rce over the Grand National fences as a jockey aboard Torduff Express in 2012.

32nd LOSTINTRANSLATION

Rating: 5. Odds: 66-1

Close third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years ago but not the force he was.

IYM: The hit 2003 movie of the same name starred Bill Murray, who was once asked “Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck? If you’ve read to this far down, you deserve a treat. Click here to watch his fabulous appraisal.

33rd DINGO DOLLAR

Rating: 4.9. Odds: 50-1

Thorough stayer but dull effort latest and didn’t shine at Aintree last season.

IYM: I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Here contestants earn Dingo Dollars for passing challenges.

Foinavon wins at 100-1 in 1967

34th SAMCRO

Rating: 4.4 Odds: 80-1

He’s a dual Cheltenham Festival winner but his decline has been sad to see.

IYM: Samcro was a £335,000 purchase at Aintree six years ago.

35th DOMAINE DE L'ISLE

Rating: 4.4. Odds: 100-1

Hold-up horse who has plenty on his plate. Went through the motions on latest run when unplaced.

IYM: Thirteen of the past 16 winners finished in the first four in their race before the Grand National.

36th AGUSTA GOLD

Rating: 4.3. Odds: 100-1

Hard to get excited about her exploits in the past year.

IYM: Owner Dr Peter Fitzgerald is the founder/owner of race sponsors Randox.

37th BRAHMA BULL

Rating: 4.2. Odds: 80-1

Still inclined to nudge the odd fence and others have much stronger form claims.

IYM: 17 of the past 22 winners have been Irish-bred, just like Brahma Bull. No relation to Racing TV's Tom Bull.

Get more Grand National clues with Lydia Hislop and two-time winner of the great race Ruby Walsh

38th CLASS CONTI

Rating: 4.1. Odds: 100-1

Last of 15 to finish last year and three lacklustre efforts this campaign.

IYM: Having a Grand National Sweepstake? Some organisers give the person who has the last horse home his/her money back.

39th POKER PARTY

Rating: 3.5. Odds: 100-1

Well-held in each of his three runs since returning from 22 months off.

IYM: Poker was apparently first played in the 1820s and it is estimated 100 million people now play it online.

40th ROMAIN DE SENAM

Rating: 3.4. Odds: 80-1

Pulled up in the Midlands National last time and looks a highly doubtful stayer.

IYM: Trainer David Pipe won with Comply Or Die in 2008. His Dad, Martin, won with Miinnehoma in 1994.

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How To Bet £20 on the race

I had an early go at cracking the National when the weights were published in mid-February, suggesting a spread of bets on Any Second Now (16-1), Death Duty (33-1), Escaria Ten (25-1) and Burrows Saint (33-1).

All four feature among the final field of 40. Any Second Now and Escaria Ten have since advanced their claims by all but dead-heating in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and are now trading at shorter odds, but Burrows Saint was below-par in the same race, while Death Duty ended up being a support player at Cheltenham.

We now have more form clues to digest, the final field plus know the likely (good to soft?) going. And, of course, the betting has a different shape. I’m still a fan of my original choices but, at the odds on offer, cannot resist adding Discorama to my portfolio. He’s 40-1 with lots of firms who are offering six places.

Discorama went off 16-1 last year and looked a big player most of the way, only to falter from two out and fade to be seventh.

Most are likely to dismiss him as a non-stayer after that but I don’t buy that theory as he had previously looked all about stamina, especially when going close in a gruelling edition of the 4m National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 2019. I think it’s more likely that lack of a recent run caught up with him 12 months ago – he was having his first run for five months – and that, possibly, a breathing problem resurfaced.

The nine-year-old has been kept fresh for a return visit and shaped well on his latest start when runner-up at Fairyhouse last time. Importantly, he saw his race out well that day, and I also like the fact he is wearing first-time cheekpieces.

The one who has slipped my net is Delta Work, who holds obvious claims after his timely revival at Cheltenham last time. I’m happy to have a small saver on him.

Suggested bets:

£5 win on Any Second Now at a general 10-1

£3 each-way on Discorama at a general 40-1 (six places)

£2 win on Escaria Ten at a general 14-1

£2 win on Delta Work at a general 10-1

Already advised

Any Second Now £6 win and £2 each-way at a general 16-1

Death Duty £2 each-way a general 33-1

Escaria Ten £1.50 each-way at a general 25-1

Burrows Saint £1.50 each-way win at 33-1 with William Hill