Grand National runners, favourites & odds for 2025: Key horses to note - Iqraa news

I Am Maximus (Gordon Elliott) 11st 12lb 
Last year’s comfortable winner. Two starts behind Galopin Des Champs so far this season you could not rule out at this stage although, Tiger Roll apart, more often than not the previous year’s winner is the first to put a line through.

Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams) 11st 9lb
Haydock soft/heavy ground specialist where he has won two Betfair Chases. A class act on his day but not getting any younger. Normally a good jumper but you’d have to say with two falls in his last six runs, not a cast iron certainty to get round.

Envoi Allen (Henry De Bromhead) 11st 8lb
Won the Ryanair Chase, runner up in it since and once ran in Champion Chase. Getting on in terms of age and stamina question marks.

Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins) 11st 8lb
A natural jumper and good novice last season he ran an absolute stormer when a 66-1 second to stable companion Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup recently. He’ll have to carry a bit of weight. Three miles seems to have wrought some improvement from him and definitely one for the short list.

L’Homme Presse (Venetia Williams) 11st 8lb 
One of the class acts in the race. Describing him as the pick of the British horses in the Gold Cup is to damn him with faint praise. Very rarely out of the first four regardless of the company, the last time he ran in a handicap he won it off a similar mark carrying 12st. Interesting.

Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins) 11st 8lb 
Beaten favourite in last season’s Irish National, close third in bet365 gold Cup and good winner of the Thyestes Chase. Jumped right there which is not ideal for the left-handed Aintree but otherwise going the right way and sure to be near top of the market.

Hewick (Ms Tara Lee Cogan) 11st 7lb 
The £800 horse who won the 2023 King George as well as a US Grand National (ironically, over hurdles), a Bet365 Gold Cup and Galway Plate. Not the biggest, he likes decent ground. If it was a popularity contest he’d go very close.

Gentlemansgame (Mouse Morris) 11st 5lb 
Very good chaser on his day but hard to train, lightly raced for his age and in the zone where he has to take on the best in graded races all the time. Mouse Morris’s grey might quite like this but needs to drop a bit in the handicap.

Inothewayurthinkin (Gavin Cromwell) 11st 5lb 
Do we? Run away winner of last year’s Kim Muir, improved again to finish fourth to Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown recently. In the right hands with Gavin Cromwell, and backed into joint-favouritism on the back of that run. Would have to go close.

Monty’s Star (Henry de Bromhead) 11st 5lb
Won a beginners chase on heavy at Punchestown in December ‘23 before chasing home Fact Or File in Brown Advisory. Highly tried but not disgraced this season and less than eight lengths behind Galopin Des Champs when fifth in Irish Gold Cup. He would be in with a shout in a National with that sort of form.

The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville) 11st 4lb
Promised the world when winning the Brown Advisory as a novice. Last season was a write off but he has been placed in last two King Georges and things looking up again this season. Maybe the trip will bring out some improvement.

Minella Indo (Henry de Bromhead) 11st 3lb Former Gold Cup winner bidding to join Golden Miller and L’Escargot as only winners of both races. Ran a cracker in third last year but that may have been his golden chance. Another year older now and, in all probability, won’t have come down enough in the handicap to offset another year on his legs. Nevertheless a class act.

Appreciate It (Willie Mullins) 11st 2lb 
The 2021 Supreme Novice Hurdle winner who has finished within hailing distance of Fastorslow a couple of times over two and a half miles but is yet to win over three miles.

Capodanno (Willie Mullins) 11st 2lb 
A Cotswold Chase winner in 2024, he was 16th in last year’s National after stumbling early on and testing the structural integrity of Bechers Brook on the second circuit. JP McManus has better chances.

Conflated (Gordon Elliott) 11st 2lb 
Third in a Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs once but stamina doubts for this marathon and has struggled to get anywhere near Galopin Des Champs on recent starts. Coming down handicap but this race now seems exclusive to horses on their way up not down.

Delta Work (Gordon Elliott) 11st 2lb 
A grand old servant who has won nearly £1m, third to Yeats in 2022, unseated when going well in 23 and chased home I Am Maximus last year. Even if weighted to turn that round this year it is hard to see him getting his head in front though few would deserve it more.

Minella Cocooner (Willie Mullins) 11st 2lb 
Third in last year’s Irish National, winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup, distance should be no problem. Last three starts have been in at the deep end against Galopin Des Champs. He’d be interesting back in a longer distance handicap. One for short-list.

Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell) 11st 2lb 
Appears to have really found his niche as a cross-country horse winning his last three. Plenty of precedent for that type of horse enjoying the cut and thrust and distance of the Grand National. Definitely not the worst of Gavin Cromwell’s collection of possible runners.

Beauport (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 11st 1lb
Carries the same colours as those carried to victory by Corbiere in the 1983 National, possibly pick of the British at this stage. A Midlands National winner last year, he switched to hurdles to protect his handicap mark after a smart Ascot win and nearly won the G1 Long Walk Hurdle. No stamina issues.

Hitman (Paul Nicholls) 11st 1lb
Winner of three of 22 starts over fences but second nine times and not often out of the money. Almost exclusively campaigned over shorter distances than three miles so if jockey sets out with range anxiety, that’s understandable.

Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls) 11st
A King George winner who finished second in a Gold Cup. Has not won for over two years but his rating has dropped appreciably and he could be an interesting proposition in handicap. That said, even at his best, three and a quarter miles looked a stretch for his stamina.

Chantry House (Nicky Henderson) 10st 13lb
Switched back to fences after two seasons hurdling with a win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day which scuppered a plan to go hunterchasing. A lovely old horse, I could see him jumping round in his own time without troubling the judge.

Galvin (Gordon Elliott) 10st 13lb
Won a National Hunt Chase as novice in 2021 but has been a bit of a nearly horse ever since; fourth in a Gold Cup to A Plus Tard, fourth in a National behind I Am Maximus and second in the American Grand National (over hurdles), second in a Glenfarclas cross-country. A good fun horse to have owned but, aged 11, his chance may have come and gone.

Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) 10st 12lb
Good profile. Winner of his last two at Leopardstown, including a big handicap chase at Christmas and a handicap hurdle at the DRF clearly trying to protect his chase mark. Definitely one for the short list.

Threeunderthrufive (Paul Nicholls) 10st 12lb
Skipped the race last year opting for the Bet365 Gold Cup instead but that plan did not come off so he is back in the fray this time. Good old sort who probably pays his way but he is probably not the Nicholls first choice. Has only run once this season.

Fakir D’Oudairies (Joseph O’Brien) 10st 11lb
Likes Aintree’s Mildmay course where he is a two time Grade One Melling Chase winner over two miles five furlongs. Appears to be on the wane now and, clearly, stamina is going to be an issue over extreme trip. Unlikely candidate to give JP McManus a fourth winner.

Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) 10st 11lb
Won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, rushed preparation for the meeting last year but really caught the eye when fourth on Trials day at the end of January over a trip short of best. One of the favourites on the back of that. Trainer Greenall’s dad Lord Daresbury was chairman of Aintree for years, a good opportunity for the son to get in on the family Aintree act.

Kandoo Kid (Paul Nicholls) 10st 11lb
Lightly raced comfortable winner of the Coral Gold Trophy in November who was also a staying on third in last season’s Topham over too short a trip. Might not be seen out again until the race, likely good weight, pick of Paul Nicholls entries.

Trelawne (Kim Bailey and Mat Micholls) 10st 11lb
Highly rated by the trainer, he was an even shorter price than the stable’s winner Chianti Classico in last year’s Ultima but fell at the second. Never been beaten first time out suggesting he is by some margin best fresh. Has already beaten Iroko this season but best prep for this would doubtless be a short holiday.

Idas Boy (Richard Phillips) 10st 10lb
A Irish Mullingar Midlands National winner on his first start over three miles plus. Yet to start for Richard Phillips bought a view to having a run in this race.

Intense Raffles (Tom Gibney) 10st 10lb
The grey came over from France as a novice chaser and duly delivered a second Irish National winner for Thomas Gibney despite belting four out. They have been running him in hurdles this season to protect his mark but look out for him when he switches back to fences for a trial.

Limerick Lace (Gavin Cromwell) 10st 10lb
Last year’s 7-1 joint favourite on the back of a successful season which included victory in mares’ chase at Cheltenham. Ridden to get the trip she was badly hampered at the Canal first time and that, combined with a bad mistake at the last ditch, saw her finish 10th. No reason for her not to improve on that even though she is yet to show much this season.

Senior Chief (Henry de Bromhead) 10st 10lb 
Relatively inexperienced chaser but won at Cheltenham in the autumn and was a respectable sixth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Pulled up late on in last season’s Irish National but from the stable of Minella Times.

Broadway Boy (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 10st 9lb
Consistent sort who likes Cheltenham and was runner up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November. There is a big handicap in him one day but the National is usually won by a well handicapped horse and he looks like the handicapper has him in his grip.

Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott) 10st 9lb 
Has run in three Nationals so far and not getting any much closer. 33 lengths behind I Am Maximus last year - stamina looks the problem.

Farouk d’Alene (Gary Brown) 10st 9lb 
Hampered at Becher’s last year and pulled up at the 26th when 100-1. Sold out of Gordon Elliott’s yard by Gigginstown for £8,500 in May and as much as a change is as often as good as a rest, Gary Brown, who rode a winner over the fences, will need to work a miracle to get this once useful horse back to a level where he could win a National.

Fil Dor (Gordon Elliott) 10st 9lb 
Runner-up to Vauban in a Triumph Hurdle - Tiger Roll, from the same stable, won it - and a decent sort. Third in a race at Fairyhouse in early February but does not smack you in the face as a ready made National winner at this stage.

French Dynamite (Mouse Morris) 10st 9lb
Beat Minella Indo, a former Gold Cup winner but past his best, and Hewick in a Grade 3 chase at Punchestown in the autumn, his first win over three miles. Looks like he goes best on decent ground but has only won three of his 20 starts over fences and there has to be a question mark over his stamina for four and a quarter miles.

Mr Incredible (Sandy Thomson) 10st 9lb
Has his own ideas about the game as evidenced by his refusal to start last time. Vis a Vis the National he is on a hat-trick of unseated riders, the Chair last year, his saddle slipping (there’s always one) at the Canal the year before. At the moment he’s more Mr Not So Incredible but there is time to put that right.

Stay Away Fay (Willie Mullins) 10st 9lb
Won an Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but has pulled up on his last three starts including behind Fact Or File in the Brown Advisory when fancied, pulled up in Scottish National and again, over hurdles on his reapperance at Wincanton over Christmas. Appears to have lost his way a bit.

Zanahiyr (Gordon Elliott) 10st 9lb
Bred by the late Aga Khan, he once finished third to Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle and was disqualified when third to Honeysuckle a year earlier. Hasn’t reached quite those heights in a handful of starts over fences and has yet to go three miles so probably has too much speed and not enough stamina for a regular National winner.

Pinkerton (Noel Meade) 10st 8lb
Enjoyed a good spring/summer last year culminating in a Galway Plate win. Good third to Percival Legallois in a chase at Christmas but well beaten last time out. Maybe the spring brings the best of him.

Meetingofthewaters (Willie Mullins) 10st 7lb
An 11-1 shot in last year’s race and jumped the last in fourth but faded late on to finish seventh raising a slight question mark about the last furlong or two of such an extreme marathon. Ran over hurdles last time suggesting they might be protecting his handicap mark. Let’s see how he does in a trial once the weights are out.

Minella Drama (Donald McCain) 10st 7lb
Mostly raced at two and a half miles and particularly likes Aintree’s Old Roan Chase over the Mildmay course in October. Would squeak in the race but beyond Becher’s second time you’d be going into unknown territory vis a vis stamina. Biggest thing in his favour is that he is trained by a McCain.

Velvet Elvis (Gavon Cromwell) 10st 7lb 
Ran his best race for a while when runner up to Nick Rockett in the Thyestes Chase, often a good trial, at Gowran which means he should just squeak in the race. Pulled up behind Corach Rambler after losing ground quickly setting out for second circuit. In the year that we celebrate Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday – stranger things have happened.

Celebre D’Allen (Philip Hobbs and Johnson White) 10st 7lb
Has jumped round Aintree three times in shorter races so jumping not an issue but, despite the resurgence of his stable this season, he is a bit long in the tooth now and might struggle to make the cut.

Fontaine Collonges (Paul Nicholls) 10st 6lb
From the same breeder as 2012 winner Neptune Colonges which may be clutching at straws. Haydock form always used to translate well to Aintree and his most recent win there has earned him a place in the line up. Seems to like the mud. Never got into the Welsh National and was pulled up in home straight.

Horantzau D’Airy (Willie Mullins) 10st 6lb
Potentially interesting. Runner up in a Munster and Kerry National before being dropped back in trip last time out, possibly to protect his handicap mark. One to keep an eye on in any post-weights trials.

Hyland (Nicky Henderson) 10st 6lb
A good jumping grey who loves decent, good ground so he would not want a wet spring or too much water put on. He should squeeze in the handicap and, though still a novice, this may be the time to catch him as the race is increasingly won by horses on the up, as he appears to be after chasing home The Jukebox Man at Christmas.

Monbeg Genius (Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill) 10st 6lb
Coral Gold Cup placed, he has always looked like he might have a decent staying handicap chase in him but I doubt the National is that race. Fourth in the Welsh National this season.

Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell) 10st 6lb
Heroic runner-up to Corach Rambler in ‘23 but only 14th to I Am Maximus last year. Trying to reinvent himself as a cross country horse but one cannot help but feel his golden chance came and went two seasons ago.

Minella Crooner (Gordon Elliott) 10st 5lb
Not to be confused with Minella Cocooner. Prominent for about three miles in last year’s National but ultimately pulled up. Gordon Elliott must have better chances.

Quick Wave (Venetia Williams) 10st 5lb
Elderly staying mare. Has not run for two years but has an entry in the Haydock National Trial in which she would want to show something. Distance and jumping no problem but it is a long time to go without a run at that stage of a career though, equally, for a 12 year-old, there are not that many miles on the clock.

Three Card Brag (Gordon Elliott) 10st 5lb
Useful staying novice hurdler who booked his ticket to Aintree when finally getting off the mark over fence at Navan. Has had niggly problems in the past but his trainer nominated this race before the sweat had dried on him last time so that’s where they’re aiming.

Twig (Ben Pauling) 10st 5lb
Ran the race of his life to chase home Chianti Classico at 28-1 in the Ultima at Cheltenham, a race which flagged up Corach Rambler’s National credentials, last year but has been hurdling since with mixed results.

Duffle Coat (Gordon Elliott) 10st 4lb
A one time Mayo National winner who was runner-up in last season’s Galway Plate behind Pinkerton. Not much since and his rating might just have dipped from what is required to get a run.

Roi Mage (Patrick Griffin) 10st 4lb
A grand old servant who despite his relative anonymity compared to some of his rivals, has won nearly £1m in prize-money and not diminished by age. Ninth and seventh in the last two Nationals but it is 102 years since the last 13-year-old, Sergeant Murphy, won it. Might just squeak in the race at bottom of handicap for one last hurrah.

Shakem Up’Arry (Ben Pauling) 10st 4lb
Seems to come good at Cheltenham in the spring where he gave owner HGarry Redknapp a first Festival in last year’s Plate. Subsequently unsighted in the Topham over Aintree fences. Fell at Cheltenham in a veterans chase in December on his only start this season. Stamina could be the big issue.

Fantastic Lady (Nicky Henderson) 10st 4lb
Good jumper who has completed the National course in shorter races three times out of four attempts. If she gets in the jury would be out on her getting the trip given most of her starts have been around the two and a half mile mark.

Favori De Champdou (Gordon Elliott) 10st 3lb
Staying chaser who goes well in gumboots weather. Fell two out in last year’s Irish National when out of contention at the time.

Yeah Man (Gavin Cromwell) 10st 3lb
Won Haydock’s National Trial last year and was ninth in Irish National but needed to go on from that to get a high enough rating to get in and though he was fourth to Nick Rockett in Thyestes, it probably wasn’t enough to guarantee a run.

Chemical Energy (Gordon Elliott) 10st 2lb
Second in the National Hunt Chase in 2023 but has failed to cut the mustard since and even a switch to cross-country has failed to ignite any chemical reaction. Would want to run a good trial to get on any short lists.

Macdermott (Willie Mullins) 10st 2lb
Scottish National winner who helped propel Willie Mullins to the British trainers’ title. Not much to write home about so far this season; pulled up, 20th beaten 91 lengths and unseated rider at the start. Needs to show a sign of life before April.

Mister Coffey (Nicky Henderson) 10st 2lb
Led them over the Melling Road for the last time two years ago and enjoying something of a resurgence as a cross-country horse always finishing like he wants further. Ridiculously is still yet to win a race over fences and probably struggling to quite make the cut.

Mr Vango (Sara Bradstock) 10st 2lb
Soft/heavy ground specialist who appears to have no limit to his stamina, he just gets in four wheel drive and keeps going. Winner of London National and Peter Marsh. Borderline to make the cut but would be one of the favourites were he to make the line up on very testing ground.

Bronn (Tom Gibney) 10st 2lb
Has not won for two years, moved from Willie Mullins and appears to be on a downward trajectory at the moment.

Desertmore House (Gordon Elliott) 10st 1lb
Does not look an obvious candidate though his trainer now in upper echelons of Irish jump trainers. Might struggle to get in.

Malina Girl (Gavin Cromwell) 10st 1lb
A former Ulster National winner whose best effort was to win a three and a half mile chase at Cheltenham in November 23. Hasn’t really set the world on fire since although long distance chasing ought to be her forte.

Richmond Lake (Donald McCain) 10st 1lb
Likes Aintree’s Mildmay course, has jumped round the National fences twice and carries colours successful on Hedgehunter, Ballabriggs and Many Clouds but looks a few pounds short of making the cut as it stands.

La Renommee (Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole) 10st
Useful mare from the trainer of Pineau de Re but would probably be a little out of her depth in a trace like National if she gets in.

King Turgeon (David Pipe) 9st 13lb 
Took to Aintree like a duck to water when winning the Grand Sefton in November, in the van all the way. Borderline to get in but if he does, he’d give a lucky jockey a good spin.

Stuzzikini (Gordon Elliott) 9st 13lb
Has been described as a bit quirky by his trainer, he was a good winner of the Troytown Chase but probably did not do enough next time out to get a high enough rating to get into the National. May have to satisfy himself with Irish equivalent this season.

Cruz Control (Tom Lacey) 9st 12lb 
Stays and won at Aintree’s National meeting last year over Mildmay course but another struggling to make the cut.

Surrey Quest (Toby Lawes) 9st 12lb 
Just failed in the dying strides to win last season’s Scottish National, he stays all day and is now a standing dish in long distance chases. Trained in Surrey and, in all likelihood, staying there during Aintree because his rating is too low realistically to get in the race.

Apple Away (Lucinda Russell) 9st 11lb 
Grade One winning novice hurdler at Aintree but not quite sure she has reached same heights over fences. Big plus is that she is from Lucinda Russell’s ‘National’ academy in Scotland.

Busselton (Joseph O’Brien) 9st 11lb
Joseph O’Brien will, no doubt, add the National to his impressive big race CV one day but even in his hands Busselton does not appear to be the horse to do that. His last win was on the Flat at Galway in the summer. A switch to cross-country racing has perhaps not wrought the improvement they hoped for so far.

Gevrey (Gordon Elliott) 9st 11lb
You have to go back to the 2023 Munster National which he won for any semblance of form. Gordon Elliott will have better shots as he tries to win the race for a record equalling fourth time.

Spanish Harlem (Willie Mullins) 9st 11lb
Yet to win a chase. Sixth in the Scottish National, seventh behind Nick Rockett in Thyestes even Willie Mullins is failing to work his magic on the horse owned by the race sponsor. Off his current he won’t make the cut – whoever owns him.

The Goffer (Gordon Elliott) 9st 10lb 
Good fun horse who has taken his owners to all the big festivals for decent handicaps. Ran 13th in last year’s National and has been sent down the cross-country route this time but without success yet. Hard to see him getting in again off his current rating.

Famous Bridge (Gordon Elliott) 9st 9lb 
Solid staying chaser at his own level but may struggle to get in the race. If he does, it is hard to see him having the class to win a race the trainer’s dad won twice with Hallo Dandy and Lucius.

Copperhead (Joe Tizzard) 9st 7lb
Enjoying his best season having won four and been second twice but probably too lowly rated to get a crack at this race.

Escaria Ten (Gordon Elliott) 9st 7lb
Ninth in 2022 National and probably not getting better and that is reflected in a handicap mark which will see him struggle to make the cut.

Where It All Began (Gordon Elliott) 9st 7lb
Won a National trial a year in February ‘24 but not much sign of life since. A distant fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham he was eight in Irish National, pulled up in Welsh and was one of the tail-end Charlies in the Thyestes. Struggling to make the cut.

Git Maker (Jamie Snowden) 9st 6lb
Useful handicap chaser at his own level; third in a Scottish National, second to Inothewayyurthinkin in the Kim Muir but a modern National is probably too good for him and struggling to make the cut.

Gericault Roque (David Pipe) 9st 4lb
Ironically yet to win a chase though he chased home Corach Rambler in the Ultima a few weeks before that horse went on to Aintree glory in 2022 and was third in the Coral Gold Cup. Probably a nice horse but got tired on his first start for over two years and on current rating will struggle to get in.

Pats Fancy (Rebecca Curtis) 9st 3lb 
Only one National winner has actually been trained in Wales, Kirkland in 1905 and Pat’s Fancy is unlikely to be the second as he will not get in race off current rating. Once chased home Bravemansgame in a novice chase. Has a loyalty card for running at Chepstow but just back from year off.

Placenet (David Cottin) 9st 3lb 
Once with David Pipe where he did not set the world on fire, possibly not acclimatising. Went back across the Channel to David Cottin and won the Grote Steeplechase Van Vlaanderen, ‘went the wrong way’ in the Grand Steeple de Merano and then a long way behind the awesome Gran Diose in the autumn.