Grand National Runners & Riders (2025)

I Am Maximus

Has won both the Irish and English Grand Nationals and comes here to defend his crown. His runs so far this season have been pretty lacklustre, but given that Willie Mullins trains him, he could well prove up to the task on the day. Not since Tiger Roll in 2017 and 2018 has a horse ever won back to back nationals. It looks tough but impossible to fully discount him.

Iroko

Iroko comes here in fairly decent form and those with recent good form at Cheltenham tend to do well particularly in this race. Jonjo O’Neill trains him and he has trained the winner of this back in 2010 with Don’t Push It. Very easy to make a strong case for him but the extreme distance will be a concern.

Stumptown

Comes into this race in absolutely blinding form having won each of his last three starts. He ran amok in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham just before Christmas. A race like that really sets the tone for him going forward and although he has never raced at Aintree before, he looks a sure-fire contender at a big price. He is still only eight-years old so every chance of further improvement.

Hewick

Hewick Is proven at the highest level, although his form has been pretty mixed since winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton in 2023. He returned to winning ways in a two mile and six furlong hurdles race at Thurles last time. He appreciates drying ground seems to operate well on a flatter track. Now back in the care of Shark Hanlon, it would come as no surprise to see him run another good race especially at this level.

Intense Raffles

He has been beaten a combined total of 45 lengths in two starts this season so it is very hard to make a case for him. He is also a grey horse and in the entire history of the race only three previous greys (although four times) have won (The Lamb 1868 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver 1961 and Neptune Collonges in 2012)

Vanillier

Put in a very likeable performance in the Cross Country Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival despite threatening to take the wrong course at one stage. He was running on nicely in the closing stages when finishing third and he gives Gavin Cromwell another strong chance of winning this race. The yard also run Stumptown who finished ahead of Vanillier last time. He finished in the midfield in this last year but seems to be in better form now and he has to command respected, although the record of grey horses in this race leaves a lot to be desired.

Minella Cocooner

No stranger to extreme trips as proven when winning the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last year. That race does seem to have left its mark as he is without a win since. Recent form has been more encouraging although he does have to something to find on Nick Rockett based on their latest race. He is in the right hands being trained by Willie Mullins and could outrun his odds once more.

Perceval Legallois

Comes here in red hot form having won back to back races (one over hurdles and one over fences)  at Leopardstown over three miles. He intentionally swerved Cheltenham to be aimed at this race. A big concern is that he has never run outside of Ireland before, and although these fences have been significantly moderated over the years, he has never tackled a race such as this. He is still only eight and is open to improvement, but his biggest days could yet be ahead of him.

Grangeclare West

Has been thoroughly disappointing this season in three of his four runs. A repeat of his effort behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup would be good enough to see him in the frame, but he reverted to a disappointing effort at Navan just a month later. Many question marks hanging over his ability to see out a race such as this, and whether he can cope with travelling over to England raises more doubts.

Hyland

Nicky Henderson has an abysmal record in this race and Hyland needs to show vastly improved form to take a hand in the finish here. He was beaten fifteen lengths last time out and came under pressure quite early in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton. Strange that he missed Cheltenham to come here as he has an impressive strike rate there. Not the one to have most faith in and will have better days ahead of him.

Kandoo Kid

Both of his previous wins in chases came on a flat track like this and he was a solid third in the Topham Chase last year. When last seen he was beaten twenty lengths in the Greatwood Gold Cup again at Newbury. Paul Nicholls has won this before and he would love to do so again. Whether this nine-year-old grey has the stamina to see out this trip is open to debate, but if he stays he could well run a big race.

Meetingofthewaters

Just hasn’t looked the same horse since winning the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in 2023. The only thing in his favour is that he was seventh in this race last year and has vital course experience. His love of the game seems to have evaporated and JP McManus (owner) looks to have stronger claims with the likes of Iroko and Perceval Legallois.

Three Card Brag

Has only been in fair form this season and needs a miracle to reverse recent form with Perceval Legallois. His lack of experience over fences could well cost him dear in a race as frantic as this. His trainer is no stranger to winning this race, but it is hard to make a case for him based on the evidence we have seen so far this season.

Minella Indo

At the age of 12 this former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner seems to have his best days behind him. He ran an absolute cracker in this race last year when third to I Am Maximus. Others are likely to improve past him again this year and you just get the impression he may well struggle. He is a solid jumper of a fence, but others may have too much speed at the finish and he may well tire very quickly.

Nick Rockett

Although he has won on good ground, all of his most recent wins have come on ground with plenty of give. His connections will be doing a rain dance prior to this years renewal. He comes here in good heart having won a couple of Grade 3 chases at Gowran Park and Fairyhouse. Paddy Mullins has been touted as his likely jockey as Paul Townend is likely to partner last years winner I Am Maximus. He has no problem seeing out a similar trip in the Bet365 Gold Cup last season and if there is rain around, he will be a big threat to all.

Beauport

He fell in a handicap chase here at this meeting a couple of seasons ago and hasn’t been back at this track since. He has been sparingly campaigned by Nigel Twiston-Davies and his trainer has a woeful record in this race (0 from 35 previous runners). He has stamina in abundance though having won the Midlands Grand National in 2023 over a similar trip to this. Provided he can motivate himself to jump confidently, he is not without a chance.

Senior Chief

Had the ability to win a handicap chase at Cheltenham at the back end of last year but has disappointed in two runs since. He was beaten fifteen lengths in a run of the mill handicap at Naas back in February and the form has not worked out. Hard to make a case for on that basis.

Monbeg Genius

He always shows his best form on rain softened ground. The only previous time he ran at Aintree though, he finished last of four runners back in 2022. He maybe just didn’t act on the track for whatever reason but he was well fancied that day. He has been sparingly campaigned over the last couple of years but he won for the first time in 24 months last time out. It could well spark a revival in his fortunes, but he does seem a fragile sort.

Bravemansgame

Has not won a race of any kind despite numerous attempts since landing the King George VI Chase at Kempton back in 2022. He has always been held in high regard by Paul Nicholls but has not delivered on the track for over two years. He has never run in a field as large as this and that has to be a major concern given his lack of enthusiasm at times. It would be a massive shock if he was to suddenly find a fifth gear in a race such as this.

Twig

Was highly progressive a couple of seasons ago but now needs some respite from the handicapper. He also needs around eight horses to come out in order to be guaranteed a run. This season’s form is nothing special but he was a decent fifth at this meeting last year in the William Hill Handicap Chase. He needs to show more in order to be considered a serious contender here.

Duffle Coat

Duffle Coat is usually a sound enough jumper so getting over the fences ought not to be a problem. The problem is that he finds winning extremely hard to do. He picked up an egg and spoon race at Ballinrobe last season, but has struggled to find even that level of form since. He ran a fair race in National Hunt Challenge Cup at Cheltenham, but again succumbed to more progressive stayers. He will likely muddle round in his own time.

Threeunderthrufive

He always seems to find at least one too good but he has been holding a fiar level of form in his two races this season. He was only just touched off at Ascot by Victtorino by the narrowest of margins. He is a generally sound jumper of a fence and was fourth in the Scottish Grand National a couple of seasons ago. He wouldn’t mind a spot of rain but he has form on a decent surface and he could surprise a few at a decent price.

Appreciate It

Recorded a first win in over two years when going in at Thurles most recently. He was a good horse over smaller obstacles and won the Supreme Novices Hurdle by 21 lengths at Cheltenham back in  2021. He has never been as sure footed over fences and these obstacles will take some jumping. At the age of 11, it is hard to make a case for him in a race as competitive as this.

Chantry House

He actually won the Mildmay Novices’ Chase here four years ago and was an exciting prospect at that stage. Unfortunately for him his career has been plagued with injuries keeping him off the track for quite some time. He managed to roll back the years when winning at Cheltenham earlier in the season but he was beaten some 30 lengths over the same course and distance next time out. Small fields suit him best and this will be something of a shock to the system for him.

Broadway Boy

Has looked a pale imitation of his former self since winning a good handicap at Cheltenham at the end of 2023. He has form to find with a couple of these including Senior Chief and Kandoo Kid. His trainer has an atrocious record in this race and his run at Cheltenham last time ended up with him being pulled up. Not in good form and not of the right temperament to win this.

Fil Dor

A remarkably consistent sort who clearly thrives on his racing. He won a listed chase at Thurles back in November and hasn’t been beaten all that far in four subsequent runs. He jumps for fun but this will come at the end of a long hard season and others look to have been campaigned better. Whilst he should make it round, it could well be in his own time.

Stay Away Fay

Seems to have have a lot of work to do to get involved here. He was off the track for almost a year and then pulled up on his seasonal reappearance at his local track, Wincanton. He was put away for another couple of months and was then beaten 44 lengths in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham by Myretown. He seems to be regressing and not progressing and hard to see him taking any interest.

Coko Beach

A winner of five previous chases including a Grand National Trial at Punchestown in 2023. He has mostly been running in cross country races since and his form has just taken a nosedive. He has work to do to reverse recent form with the likes of Vanillier and others who beat him repeatedly. There is no obvious reason for the form to be turned around and he is best avoided.

Conflated

Has been beaten a combined total of more than 150 lengths in his last five races. A hint of a return to some sort of form at Cheltenham where he finished in the mid-pack in the TrustATrader Plate. In five of his last six races he has finished nearer last than first. He seems to have lost his way.

Favori De Champdou

Has never faced a field of this magnitude before and seems to only put in good performances where there are far fewer rivals. His most recent win came at Down Royal in a three horse race and he won by seven lengths. That is a far cry from what is required here and he needs around ten horses to withdraw to even be guaranteed a run. An unlikely winner either way.

Hitman

Absolutely nothing wrong with his attitude or form this season. He has been a model of consistency for Paul Nicholls and has previous experience at this track on several occasions which can only be a good thing. He could well run a massive race at a big price but the big question is whether he has the stamina to see out this marathon trip.

Horantzau D’Airy

Has only recently moved yards from Willie Mullins to Michael Keady. It would be some training performance to get him to win the Grand National on what would be his first start for his new handler. His form is only ordinary, although he won a couple of small races back to back around this time last year. Needs to put in the performance of his career despite probably just sneaking in at the foot of the handicap.

Idas Boy

He recently shifted yards from Noel Meade to Richard Phillips and was unsighted in what was his first run in the UK at Doncaster in a handicap hurdle. He was beaten 38 lengths on that occasion. There is no doubt the yard will have better luck with him, and he has won a few chases before in Ireland. This seems like an extremely tough ask at this stage of his career and others look to have better chances.

Royale Pagaille

Was beaten 31 lengths in the Betway Bowl here a couple of seasons ago and perhaps the track took its toll on him. He hasn’t been back here since and ideally he would love any amount of rain to fall. All of his best form is on soft ground. If this was run at his beloved Haydock he would be half the price, but he is now 11 years old and others will have more scope and improve past him.

Shakem Up’arry

Has been woefully out of form since winning the TrustATrader Plate at Cheltenham last season. He will always prove popular with the betting public due to him being owned by Harry Redknapp. It is worth bearing in mind that he was beaten 90 lengths in the Topham here last year so clearly the fences weren’t to his liking. He couldn’t be backed with stolen money on that basis alone.

Celebre D’Allen

For one at a triple figure price he has some more than useful form in the book. He has  not been seen since November so that has to be a major concern. Asides from that he was fourth to Arizona Cardinal in the Topham over these fences last year and won a veterans chase here the year before. He is now a 13 year old and that has to be taken into consideration but if he lines up he is a massive price.

Fantastic Lady

She has been disappointing not to win a race of any sort this season and pulling up last time out in the Amateur jockeys’ race at Cheltenham was hardly an ideal preparation for this. This looks too competitive for her and her trainer has an excruciatingly painful record in this race. One to avoid.

Roi Mage

Was not disgraced when finishing ninth to I Am Maximus in this race last year. He has been campaigned sparingly since and has competed in mostly cross-country races since. He is now a 13 year old though and if he found eight too good last year, it is most likely he will find more to beat him this time around. An unlikely winner.

Key Stats On The Grand National Runners

The leading trainer in the Grand National over the recent renewals is Gordon Elliott who has won the Grand National three times with those three winners coming from Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018 & 2019). Other trainers who have recorded multiple wins in the Grand National are Willie Mullins (2) and Lucinda Russell (2).

There are multiple trainers that have not had the best of times in recent renewals of the Grand National, Nigel Twiston-Davies (0-35), Philip Hobbs (0-19), Nicky Henderson (0-18), Peter Bowen (0-12), Ted Walsh (0-11), Tom George (0-10), Evan Williams (0-10), Kim Bailey (0-10) and Alan King (0-10) have all failed to produce a single winner despite sending multiple runners to the Grand National.

It is supremely important to take all of the above into account as it can often allow you to whittle your selections right down in advance, instead of just plumping for a name. It has also been ten years since an English trained horse (Many Clouds 2015) last won the race. Ireland have been dominant, followed by Scotland.

Tips for Selecting a Winning Grand National Runner

Many gamblers close their eyes and use a pin-sticker’s guide to choose their bets for the big race. However, you can browse some Grand National trends if you want to shorten your selections to four or five on race day.

Don’t forget, always check a horse’s form over distance, and jumping ability over the fences. However, fallen riders, a pile-up at Becher’s Brook, or just plain bad luck can scupper even the most well-craftet National wager.

Check The Runners & Odds

Start your research early and find some value, especially in the each-way markets. Last year’s winner went off a 50/1 shot, and the SP favourite has only won the National a handful of times since the turn of the century. Hunt around and open several accounts with multiple bookies to find the best value.

Analyse The Form

Grand National runners go in with bad, good or indifferent form. Many a Grand National winner has taken down the race having had a good run-in. Always check the Grand National form before you make your bets.

Consult The Experts

Talk about our horse racing tipsters.

At Punters Lounge, we offer tips and insights from the keenest minds in racing. We update our racing tips every week, so make sure you read our latest Grand National tips to spot some smart picks.

Find Bookmaker Offers

Online bookmakers will be falling over themselves to offer new customers and regular gamblers a deal on the National. Look out for Grand National free bets and promotional bet offers when the big race comes around.

As well as a welcome free bet, you can enjoy enhanced places on each-way wagers (normally up to seven places at the best bookies) and money back if your horse fails to finish.