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April 5, 2025
Grand National runners: Pinstickers’ guide to 2025 Aintree race
April 5, 2025
Last updated at 13.44 on Saturday, April 5
A maximum field of 34 horses will line up at Aintree Racecourse today for the Grand National.
No further horses were withdrawn by 1pm on Friday, meaning that if a runner is pulled out now, the race will go to post with a reduced field.
You can also use Telegraph Sport’s downloadable sweepstake kit for this year’s race.
Grand National 2025: Full list of entries
Odds
1. I Am Maximus
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.Missed the Bobbyjo with a respiratory infection. Plenty of time to clear that up.
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Paul Townend
Expert rating
11st 12lb
Weight
11st 12lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
18. Iroko
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. Nice warm up at Kelso, will relish four and a quarter miles. 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.
Trainer
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Jockey
Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Expert rating
10st 11lb
Weight
10st 11lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
16. Perceval Legallois
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.
Trainer
Gavin Cromwell
Jockey
Mark Walsh
Expert rating
10st 12lb
Weight
10st 12lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
10. Stumptown
Appears to have really found his niche as a cross-country horse winning his last four including with top-weight at Cheltenham. Plenty of precedent for that type of horse enjoying the cut and thrust and distance of the Grand National and the further he goes the better. Might be the pick of Gavin Cromwell’s collection of possible runners.
Trainer
Gavin Cromwell
Jockey
Keith Donoghue
Expert rating
11st 2lb
Weight
11st 2lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
19. Intense Raffles
The grey came over from France as a novice chaser last season and went into the Irish National well fancied and unbeaten in two starts in Ireland. He 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 looked the pick of them when an excellent second in the Bobbyjo to Nick Rocket. Good chance of making it a grey day at Aintree on April 5.
Trainer
Tom Gibney
Jockey
JJ Slevin
Expert rating
10st 10lb
Weight
10st 10lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
8. Minella Cocooner
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. Rallied late on in Bobbyjo without quite setting world on fire.
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Jonathan Burke
Expert rating
11st 2lb
Weight
11st 2lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
5. Hewick
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. Snuck off to Thurles the day after Cheltenham to win a hurdle so in good form. Not the biggest, he likes decent ground. If it was a popularity contest he’d go very close.
Trainer
Shark Hanlon
Jockey
Gavin Sheehan
Expert rating
11st 7lb
Weight
11st 7lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
6. Minella Indo
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 but trained for this year’s race. Nevertheless a class act.
Trainer
Henry de Bromhead
Jockey
Rachael Blackmore
Expert rating
11st 3lb
Weight
11st 3lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
28. Vanillier
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. Might have gone very close to Stumptown had his jockey not nearly taken a wrong turn after the third. One was beginning to feel his golden chance came and went two seasons ago but blinkers have been transformative on his last two starts.
Trainer
Gavin Cromwell
Jockey
Sean Flanagan
Expert rating
10st 6lb
Weight
10st 6lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
17. Kandoo Kid
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. Good weight, had a lazy afternoon at Newbury to put him spot on for this. The pick of Paul Nicholls entries.
Trainer
Paul Nicholls
Jockey
Harry Cobden
Expert rating
10st 11lb
Weight
10st 11lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
30. Hyland
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. Not a bad second at Kempton running on in what is often a good trial when overnight rain probably compromised his winning chance.
Trainer
Nicky Henderson
Jockey
Nico De Boinville
Expert rating
10st 6lb
Weight
10st 6lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
12. Beauport
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 and runner up in Rendlesham at Haydock. No stamina issues.
Trainer
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey
Sam Twiston-Davies
Expert rating
11st 1lb
Weight
11st 1lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
26. Meetingofthewaters
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 suggesting they might be protecting his handicap mark but didn’t show a whole lot on his last start back over fences.
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Danny Mullins
Expert rating
10st 7lb
Weight
10st 7lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
32. Three Card Brag
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.
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Sean Bowen
Expert rating
10st 5lb
Weight
10st 5lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
3. Nick Rockett
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 as he proved when beating Intense Raffles narrowly in Bobbyjo and sure to be near top of the market.
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Patrick Mullins
Expert rating
11st 8lb
Weight
11st 8lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
11. Hitman
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.
Trainer
Paul Nicholls
Jockey
Freddie Gingell
Expert rating
11st 11lb
Weight
11st 11lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
34. Duffle Coat
A one time Mayo National winner who was runner-up in last season’s Galway Plate behind Pinkerton. Not beaten and staying on when brought down two out in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last start.
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Danny Gilligan
Expert rating
10st 4lb
Weight
10st 4lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
7. Appreciate It
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. But good ground? He’d appreciate it.
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Sean O’Keeffe
Expert rating
11st 2lb
Weight
11st 2lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
15. Threeunderthrufive
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 and has run well at Ascot on his two starts this season but he is probably not the Nicholls first choice and the trainer seems luke warm about this horse and the National.
Trainer
Paul Nicholls
Jockey
Harry Skelton
Expert rating
10st 12lb
Weight
10st 12lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
4. Grangeclare West
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 so subsequently a bit disappointing when fifth of five over two and a half miles last time. Might have shown the handicapper his hand a bit too soon. Nevertheless three miles seems to have wrought some improvement from him and definitely one for the short list.
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Brian Hayes
Expert rating
11st 8lb
Weight
11st 8lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
20. Senior Chief
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.
Trainer
Henry De Bromhead
Jockey
Darragh O’Keeffe
Expert rating
10st 10lb
Weight
10st 10lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
24. Coko Beach
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.
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Jody McGarvey
Expert rating
10st 9lb
Weight
10st 9lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
13. Bravemansgame
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.
Trainer
Paul Nicholls
Jockey
James Reveley
Expert rating
11st
Weight
11st
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
22. Fil Dor
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.
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Sam Ewing
Expert rating
10st 9lb
Weight
10st 9lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
27. Monbeg Genius
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.
Trainer
Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill
Jockey
Nick Scholfield
Expert rating
10st 6lb
Weight
10st 6lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
33. Twig
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.
Trainer
Ben Pauling
Jockey
Beau Morgan
Expert rating
10st 5lb
Weight
10st 5lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
23. Broadway Boy
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.
Trainer
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey
Tom Bellamy
Expert rating
10st 9lb
Weight
10st 9lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
2. Royale Pagaille
Haydock soft/heavy ground specialist where he has won two Betfair Chases. A class act on his day but not getting any younger and produced two below-par displays in 2025. Two falls in his last seven runs and tailed off in the Gold Cup, not a cast iron certainty to get round.
Trainer
Venetia Williams
Jockey
Charlie Deutsch
Expert rating
11st 9lb
Weight
11st 9lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
21. Idas Boy
A Irish Mullingar Midlands National winner on his first start over three miles plus. Might have been run over wrong trip in Ireland having had to avoid Gigginstown’s legion of three milers. Bought by an old school pal of the trainer having had this dream in the playground 50 years ago. Got a run under belt over hurdles. Could outrun his odds.
Trainer
Richard Phillips
Jockey
Harry Bannister
Expert rating
10st 10lb
Weight
10st 10lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
25. Stay Away Fay
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.
Trainer
Willie Mullins
Jockey
Paul O’Brien
Expert rating
10st 9lb
Weight
10st 9lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
14. Chantry House
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.
Trainer
Nicky Henderson
Jockey
James Bowen
Expert rating
10st 13lb
Weight
10st 13lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
9. Conflated
Third in a Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs once but stamina doubts for this marathon but ran well for a long way in the Festival Plate at Cheltenham before weakening. Coming down handicap but this race now seems exclusive to horses on their way up not down.
Trainer
Gordon Elliott
Jockey
Jordan Gainford
Expert rating
11st 2lb
Weight
11st 2lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
31. Celebre D’Allen
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.
Trainer
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White
Jockey
Micheal Nolan
Expert rating
10st 7lb
Weight
10st 7lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Odds
29. Horantzau D’Airy
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.
Trainer
Michael Keady
Jockey
Ciaran Gethings
Expert rating
10st 6lb
Weight
10st 6lb
18+ only, T&Cs apply
Betting at Aintree? View today’s top offers. Plus, these in-depth guides cover which bookmakers are offering extra each-way places for the 2025 Grand National, along with how to place a bet on the big race.