In October 2023 sweeping changes to the Grand National were announced. Despite there being extensive changes to the fences in 2013 which had resulted in six Nationals in a row where all horses had returned to their stables after the race, further change was felt necessary after the chaotic and tense scenes before the 2023 race. Personally I felt this was a knee-jerk reaction to what was hopefully a one-off disruption (Animal RIsing had announced that they would not be targeting the National this year) and reducing the field in particular to thirty four was completely unnecessary. Whilst only one fence alteration was announced, the reduction in size of the second ditch, the eleventh/twenty seventh it did look as if the fences as a whole were smaller than usual and they certainly appeared to be brushed through with ease in the supporting races. This was evident from the Foxhunters and Topham where only two horses had actually fallen. 

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Once again there was Irish dominance with Irish trainers respondible for twenty six of the declared runners. At the head of the market was the Willie Mullins trained I AM MAXIMUS, running for JP McManus. He was an Aintree debutat but had won the previous years Irish Grand National having come from off the pace to lead clos home and he had added two furher wins at the course including the Bobbyjo Chase where he had beaten last years runner up Vanillier. He was to start joint favourite with LIMERICK LACE, another deubtant for JP but this one was traied by Gavin Cromwell. A second season chaser she had won half of her ten chases and had only once been out of the first three. She had won three of her four starts this term including the Mares Chase at the Festival. COKO BEACH had lowered her colours in the valuable Troytown Chase at Navan. The lovely grey was having a stunning season which had also seen him finish second on heavy gound in the Becher Chase but he had already run in two Nationals and didn't appear to stay. JP had a very strong hand this year and his seven year old novice MEETINGOFTHE WATERS also came in for support. He had won that Christmas cavalry charge that is the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on only his second start over feces. MR INCREDIBLE has his own ideas about the game but he was another Mullins fancy who had been specificaly aimed at the race and his sole outing this season had been an encouraging second place in the Midlands Grand National.  The 2022 winner NOBLE YEATS who had finished fouth last year had been running over hurdles this season having been aimed for the Stayers Hurdle at the Festival. He had won the valuable Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January but was disappointing when he could only finish seventh in the Stayers itself. He still came into the reckoning with his third jockey in as many Nationals, champion elect Harry Coben taking the ride. Another interesting runner now at the veteran stage was 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner MINELLA INDO who had won a Grade Three event at Punchestown in the autumn before adapting well to the Cheltenhams cross country fences in December. He had not run since but his main aim, the Festival Cross Country chase had been abandoned. He jumped, he stayed and his rider Rachael Blackmore had already won one National with a "Minella". But what about the Brits ? To be fair despite the paucity of runners two featured in the top seven in the market. Last years winner CORACH RAMBLER looked to have a decent chance of retaining his title. As well as the National he had had the Gold Cup on the radar this year. After finishing unplaced in a small race at Hayrdock he had finished third in the Betfair Chase before his Gold Cup attempt where he finished an impressive third although it did look like hard work for him after the last. He had as good a chance as any recent winner of wininng this again. KITTYS LIGHT would be a very popular winner for Welsh trainer Christian Williams who's young daughter Betsy had been diahnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia. The horse had just scraped into the field and whilst he had not won this season had completed a magnificent double at the end of 2023 when he had won the Scottish Grand National and Bet 365 Gold Cup. 

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WIth Becher Chae winner Chambard and Irish outsider Run Wild Fred beng withdrawn after final declarations were made and will no reserve system in place just thirty two went to post, the smallest field in a quarter of a century. Surely with a reduced field it was time to reintroduce reserves.