Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads up the 58 entries left in at the five-day declaration stage for this Saturday's Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse. While Gavin Cromwell's Stumptown, who won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, is now the 8-1 favourite with some firms including William Hill, Paddy Power, bet365 and Betfair alongside Intense Raffles and Iroko.
Willie Mullins' I Am Maximus, who provided the Irish handler with a second victory after Hedgehunter's success in 2005 in the Aintree showpiece when scoring under Paul Townend, will carry top weight of 11s12lb. I Am Maximus – who will bid to become the ninth official dual winner – is one of five entries in the current first 34 on the list for the reigning British and Irish champion trainer. The nine-year-old is currently a 10-1 chance with William Hill, Betfred and Skybet.
Tom Gibney's Intense Raffles is a best-priced 9-1 with William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred. The seven-year-old won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse for County Meath handler Gibney last season and was second to fellow National entrant Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase back at Fairyhouse in February.
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County Meath handler Gibney said: "It's so far, so good with him. We think he's got a good chance given his last run anyway. Last year everything went perfectly and he ended up winning us the Irish National. I was mad to go to Punchestown after the Irish National and, in fairness, Anthony (Bromley, racing manager) and Simon and Isaac were the ones that were very keen on the English National and they made the plan between the Irish National and Punchestown that they'd try to conserve his mark for Aintree the following year."
He added: "We had to think about it a bit after that, as you don't want to end up too high in the weights for Aintree, so he had a couple of runs over hurdles, which we were happy with. After that we could go to the Bobbyjo and he ran a cracker, he was only beaten just three-quarters of a length by Nick Rockett and we're better off at the weights at Aintree.
"This lad is only seven, but he had plenty of experience in France before he even joined us and he beat Iroko at Auteuil a few years ago, so it's pretty amazing that the pair of them are battling it out for favouritism, it's funny how things sometimes work out. He (Iroko) looks a serious contender, but many of them are."
Nine horses have been taken out of the race since the last scratchings' stage and won't be lining up for the 177th running of the Grand National on Saturday. They are: L'Homme Presse, Capodanno, Mr Incredible, Farouk d'Alene, Velvet Elvis, Minella Drama, Minella Crooner, Fontaine Collonges, Quick Wave.
There will again be a maximum of 34 runners going to post this Saturday and currently three horses are in the running to be the final one to make the cut for the world's greatest steeplechase. They are: Gordon Elliott's Duffle Coat; the Ben Pauling-trained Shakem Up'Arry, owned by former West Ham United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC manager Harry Redknapp; and Patrick Griffin's 13-year-old Roi Mage, who is part-owned by Liverpool-born Jim Beaumont. If no more horses are taken out before Thursday's final declaration stage as all three were handed 10st4lb in the weights in February, the current highest rated of the trio will be get the final spot in the race.
This year the reserves system will return. As previously there will be four reserves named – 35-38 on the final list – and should there be any non-runners up to 1pm the day (Friday, April 4) before the Grand National the reserves will replace them in racecard order. At the moment the four reserves would be: Two of Duffle Coat, Shakem Up'Arry and Roi Mage; as well as Favori de Champdou and Fantastic Lady.
Irish handler Cromwell, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin last month, has three near the head of the betting. Cromwell still has Cross Country Chase winner Stumptown; 2023 Grand National runner-up Vanillier, who was third to his stable-mate at Cheltenham; and Paddy Power Chase winner Perceval Legallois still entered in the Aintree showpiece. Vanillier is a 12-1 chance with William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfair and BETMGM; and Perceval Legallois 16-1 with William Hill.
The current going at Aintree is good, good to soft in places on the Mildmay course and good to soft on the Grand National course. With a dry and sunny week predicted course officials will be using selective watering to maintain a safe surface.
2023 King George VI Chase winner Hewick, who will appreciate the good ground, is also among the leading fancies and is a best-priced 10-1 with a number of firms.
His trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon said: "We had this dream two years ago and we schooled him and he was brilliant and then he was running a cracker in the Gold Cup when he fell, so we had to give it a miss. This has been the plan for some time. There has only been one plan for this year and that plan has been in place for the last six months. The English National is the race we want and, please God, all we ask is a bit of luck now.
"He has won a bet365 Gold Cup over three-miles-five, so we think he'll stay and that'll be a big help. He's a Grade One and King George winner going to the National and you don't get many of those now. We'll need luck in running, but it's exciting. For one thing, there won't be any American Grand National winners who have doubled up at Aintree – we're trying to do the unknown, but we won't lack for trying."
The leading British candidate is Iroko – also owned by JP McManus – and is vying for favouritism. Trained in Cheshire by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the seven-year-old – who was second to Inothewayurthinkin at last year's Grand National Festival – is a best-priced 8-1 with several firms including William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfred and bet365.
Others Mullins' entries include Thyestes Chase and Bobbyjo Chase winner Nick Rockett; Irish Gold Cup runner-up Grangeclare West; last year's Scottish Grand National winner Macdermott; Meetingofthewaters and Minella Cocooner, who landed the Bet 365 Gold Cup at Sandown last April. Nick Rockett is a 25-1 chance with Paddy Power, Meetingofthewaters is 20-1 with most bookmakers; Minella Cocooner is a best-priced 25-1; while Grangeclare West 28-1 with official betting partners of the Grand National William Hill.
Irish trainer Elliott – who has won the Grand National three times with Silver Birch (2007) and the most recent dual scorer Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) – could have five entries in top 34 in Conflated, Coko Beach, Fil Dor, Duffle Coat and Three Card Brag, with the latter the lowest in the betting at 28-1 with William Hill.
Paul Nicholls, who won the Grand National in 2012 with Neptune Collonges, has saddled 79 runners in the Aintree showpiece over the years but has not had any for the past three runnings. This time though he has Kandoo Kid, who won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December; 2022 King George VI Chase hero Bravemansgame; Denman Chase runner-up Hitman; Stay Away Fay and Threeunderthrufive among the entries. Kandoo Kid is the highest in the betting at 20-1 with most bookmakers.
Grand National 2025 odds
Betting Guide: 8-1 Stumptown, Intense Raffles, Iroko, 10-1 I Am Maximus, Hewick, 12-1 Vanillier, 14-1 Perceval Legallois, 20-1 Hyland, Kandoo Kid, Meetingofthewaters, 25-1 Nick Rockett, Minella Cocooner, 28-1 Three Card Brag, Grangeclare West, 33-1 Beauport, Monbeg Genius, 40-1 Minella Indo, 50-1 Bravemansgame, Broadway Boy, Mr Vango. 66-1 bar.
For full list of William Hill odds, go to https://sports.williamhill.com/betting/en-gb/horse-racing/OB_EV34940420/aintree-grand-national-non-runner-money-back-5th-apr-2025
Grand National 2025 entries for Aintree
Weights and entries for the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Class 1) (4m2f74y) at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 5 2025 (4pm)
No, Horse (bred), age, weight, owner, trainer, jockey, rating
1 I Am Maximus (FR) 9-11-12 Mr JP McManus Willie Mullins (IRE) Paul Townend 167
2 Royale Pagaille (FR) 11-11-9 Mrs S Ricci Venetia Williams Charlie Deustch 164
3 Nick Rockett (IRE) 8-11-8 Stewart & Sadie Andrew Willie Mullins (IRE) 163
4 Grangeclare West (IRE) 9-11-8 Cheveley Park Stud Willie Mullins (IRE) 163
5 Hewick (IRE) 10-11-7 Mr TJ McDonald John Joseph Hanlon (IRE) Gavin Sheehan 162
6 Minella Indo (IRE) 12-11-3 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead (IRE) 158
7 Appreciate It (IRE) 11-11-2 Miss MA Masterson Willie Mullins (IRE) 157
8 Minella Cocooner (IRE) 9-11-2 Mr David Bobbett Willie Mullins (IRE) 157
9 Stumptown (IRE) 8-11-2 Furze Bush Syndicate Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Keith Donoghue 157
10 Conflated (IRE) 11-11-2 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 157
11 Hitman (FR) 9-11-1 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell 156
12 Beauport (IRE) 9-11-1 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 156
13 Bravemansgame (FR) 10-11-0 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls James Reveley 155
14 Chantry House (IRE) 11-10-13 Mr JP McManus Nicky Henderson 154
15 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 10-10-12 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls Harry Skelton 153
16 Perceval Legallois (FR) 8-10-12 Mr JP McManus Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 153
17 Kandoo Kid (FR) 9-10-11 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 152
18 Iroko (FR) 7-10-11 Mr JP McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero 152
19 Intense Raffles (FR) 7-10-10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Thomas Gibney (IRE) 151
20 Senior Chief (GB) 8-10-10 Lucky In Life Syndicate Henry de Bromhead (IRE) 151
21 Idas Boy (IRE) 11-10-10 Dozen Dreamers Richard Phillips 151
22 Fil Dor (FR) 7-10-9 Robcour Gordon Elliott (IRE) 150
23 Broadway Boy (IRE) 7-109 Mr DM Proos Nigel Twiston-Davies Tom Bellamy 150
24 Coko Beach (FR) 10-10-9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 150
25 Stay Away Fay (IRE) 8-10-9 Bell, Lyons, Hill Paul Nicholls Bryony Frost 150
26 Meetingofthewaters (IRE) 8-10-7 Mr JP McManus Willie Mullins (IRE) 148
27 Monbeg Genius (IRE) 9-10-6 Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill Nick Scholfield 147
28 Vanillier (FR) 10-10-6 Mrs HM Keaveney Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Sean Flanagan 147
29 Horantzau d'Airy (FR) 8-10-6 Scea De Vallee Michael Keady 147
30 Hyland (FR) 8 10 6 The Ten From Seven Nicky Henderson 147
31 Celebre d'Allen (FR) 13-10-6 Mr Allan Stennett Philip Hobbs & Johnson White 147
32 Three Card Brag (IRE) 8-10-5 Patrick & Scott Bryceland, McNeill Family Gordon Elliott (IRE) 146
33 Twig (GB) 10-10-5 Mrs G Morgan Ben Pauling 146
34 Duffle Coat (IRE) 8-10-4 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott (IRE) 145
35 Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 11-10-4 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling 145
36 Roi Mage (FR) 13-10-4 Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin (IRE) 145
37 Favori de Champdou (FR) 10-10-3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 144
38 Fantastic Lady (FR) 10-10-3 Mr ER Hanbury Nicky Henderson 144
39 Yeah Man (IRE) 8-10-3 John J Brennan/Martin Hannan Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 144
40 Mr Vango (IRE) 9-10-2 Cracker and Smodge Partnership Sara Bradstock 143
41 Macdermott (FR) 7-10-2 Gallagher Bloodstock Limited Willie Mullins (IRE) 143
42 Mister Coffey (FR) 10-10-2 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nicky Henderson 143
43 Chemical Energy (IRE) 9-10-2 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 143
44 Desertmore House (IRE) 10-10-1 OBP Carroll/Anthony Vaughan Martin Brassil (IRE) 142
45 Malina Girl (IRE) 8-10-1 Mrs JM Russell Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 142
46 Richmond Lake (IRE) 9-10 1 Hemmings Racing Donald McCain 142
47 La Renommee (FR) 7-10-0 Upton House Stud Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole 141
48 Stuzzikini (IRE) 7-9-13 VCS Versatile Coating Specialist/F Foran Gordon Elliott (IRE) 140
49 King Turgeon (FR) 7-9-13 Somerset Racing David Pipe 140
50 Surrey Quest (IRE) 8-9-12 Surrey Racing (SQ) Toby Lawes 139
51 Cruz Control (FR) 8-9-12 Mr F Green and Mr J Chinn Tom Lacey 139
52 Apple Away (IRE) 8-9-11 Old Gold Racing 14 Lucinda Russell 138
53 Busselton (FR) 8-9-11 Friendship Partnership Joseph Patrick O'Brien (IRE) 138
54 Spanish Harlem (FR) 7-9-11 Dr SP Fitzgerald Willie Mullins (IRE) 138
55 Famous Bridge (IRE) 9-9-9 Hemmings Racing Nicky Richards 136
56 Escaria Ten (FR) 11-9-7 J B Property Investments (Midlands) Ltd Martin Keighley 134
57 Where It All Began (IRE) 9-9-7 McNeill Family/Patrick & Scott Bryceland Gordon Elliott (IRE) 134
58 Pats Fancy (IRE) 10-9-3 Hydes, McDermott, Spencer, Frobisher & Lee Rebecca Curtis 130
58 entries remain (29 Irish-trained) at the five-day declaration stage
Scratched: L'Homme Presse, Capodanno, Mr Incredible, Farouk d'Alene, Velvet Elvis, Minella Drama, Minella Crooner, Fontaine Collonges, Quick Wave.
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