We take a closer look at every runner for the 2025 Grand National before selections from our experts and the oddschecker verdict.
Grand National 2025
The 2025 Grand National is now just a few hours away – which horse will be adding its name to the race’s illustrious roll of honour on the final day at Aintree?
Below you will find a complete runners guide from Steve Ryder as well as Architect’s picks for the race and a round-up of best bets across our team of experts.
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Grand National Runners Guide
Here is a complete runners guide for the race from Steve Ryder. You can click here for even more information on each of them, including weight age and recent form.
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1. I Am Maximus
Top of the weights, he won last year’s race with a rating of 159 and will run this time with a mark only 8lb higher. Like last year, he struggled at Leopardstown in Grade 1 races over Christmas and at the Dublin Racing Festival. A respiratory infection meant he missed his prep run in the Bobbyjo Chase, which he won last year.
2. Royale Pagaille
Earned a second Grade 1 Betfair Chase victory this season on soft ground but has faltered since. He’d likely benefit from softer going than what we're going to get today.
3. Nick Rockett
Fits several trends for recent winners (age, first-time runner, second-season chaser, under 10 fence starts, won last race, never fallen or unseated) and arrives in fine form. He won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January off a mark of 152, then took the Bobbyjo Chase last time out - a race his stablemate I Am Maximus won the year before claiming this title.
4. Grangeclare West
He won a Grade 1 Novice Chase at Leopardstown last season and ran well to finish 2nd behind Galopin Des Champs in this year’s Irish Gold Cup. However, he underperformed, coming last of five in the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan in his latest outing.
5. Hewick
Won the 2023 King George VI Chase at Kempton and was a close 2nd at Down Royal in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase this season in November. His latest win came over hurdles at Thurles on good ground, while the firmer conditions boost his chances. Gavin Sheehan rides him for the first time since that King George VI Chase success.
6. Minella Indo
A 12-year-old who triumphed in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup and was second the next year. He finished 2nd on his comeback at Punchestown but faltered at Navan, placing 6th and beaten by 25 lengths over hurdles in his most recent run. Rachael Blackmore is looking for her second win in the race.
7. Appreciate It
An 11-year-old who won the 2021 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He secured his third chase victory last time at Thurles in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, outrunning two higher-rated stablemates with Sean O’Keefe aboard.
8. Minella Cocooner
Took the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last season off a mark of 151 and will race here off a mark just 6lb higher. He was well beaten in Grade 1s in his first three runs this season behind horses like Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs, before finishing 4th, 8¼ lengths behind Nick Rockett, in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time.
9. Conflated
An 11-year-old with two Grade 1 wins in 2022. He managed a solid 8th in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival last time, despite a big mistake at the second-last fence, but faces a stern test off the same mark.
10. Stumptown
This eight-year-old has shone since moving to Cross Country chases and has been unlucky not to win his last five races. He defied a rating of 157 to win by seven lengths at the Cheltenham Festival last time, sporting cheekpieces for the first time, and races here off the same mark. Taken 7% of the bets through oddschecker since race declarations were made - only I Am Maximus has had more support.
11. Hitman
Needs to demonstrate he can stay this distance, having only won up to 2m5½f. He’s been runner-up in all three starts this season and often lacks the final burst you’d want.
12. Beauport
Races in the famous colours of 1983 winner Corbiere and is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, a two-time winner of this race as a trainer. This nine-year-old won the Berkshire National at Ascot by 31 lengths earlier this season and has since placed in two Graded hurdles. Sam Twiston-Davies prefers him over stablemate Broadway Boy. An ante-post play for Steve Ryder from back in January.
13. Bravemansgame
Paul Nicholls has secured James Reveley to ride this 2022 King George VI Chase winner. He finished 3rd in the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury last time and should enjoy the unique jumping test.
14. Chantry House
Surprised his team with a 6½-length win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day but was well beaten in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase next time. This 11-year-old has two prior Grade 1 victories, but both owner and trainer appear to have stronger options.
15. Threeunderthrufive
Paul Nicholls has recruited Harry Skelton to ride this 10-year-old, who nearly repeated his Swinley Chase win last time, finishing 2nd to Ascot specialist Victtorino. He thrives on firmer ground and will relish this distinctive jumping challenge. Advised as an each-way play with six places by Architect.
16. Perceval Legallois
A popular pick owned by JP McManus, he won over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival after taking the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas. This eight-year-old has never raced outside Ireland but could excel if he adapts to the trip.
17. Kandoo Kid
Harry Cobden’s choice from Paul Nicholls’ five entries. He won the Coral Gold Cup on his return at Newbury in November off a mark of 145 and is now just 7lb higher. His last prep run at Newbury was over an unsuitable distance, and he aims to emulate Many Clouds, who won the Coral Gold Cup (formerly the Hennessy) before this race in 2015.
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18. Iroko
Another strong contender for JP McManus, targeted for this race early this season. This seven-year-old won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 and was 2nd to the eventual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin at Aintree in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase last season. His longest win is over 2m4f, so stamina is a worry, as is his fall at Ascot earlier this season.
19. Intense Raffles
A promising seven-year-old trained by Tom Gibney, he won the Irish Grand National in his final run last season. He struggled in his first two hurdle races this season before finishing 2nd, just ¾ length behind Nick Rockett, in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time. He excels on soft and heavy ground.
20. Senior Chief
Won at Cheltenham in October on his return before finishing 6th in the Coral Gold Cup behind Kandoo Kid. He was mid-field over hurdles last time at Naas but might draw some backing.
21. Idas Boy
Once a top chaser for Gigginstown House Stud and Noel Meade, he showed little promise on his debut for new trainer Richard Phillips at Doncaster.
22. Fil Dor
Bought for €620,000 euros at last year’s Caldwell dispersal sale, he’s only won once since - a match race at Thurles at odds of 1/40. He finished 3rd in the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan last time over 2m4½f and needs to prove he can stay this longer distance.
23. Broadway Boy
Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, this seven-year-old placed behind Senior Chief and Kandoo Kid earlier this season but has disappointed at Cheltenham in his last two runs.
24. Coko Beach
A 10-year-old who has competed in the last three runnings of this race, with his best finish being 8th, beaten by 66 lengths, in 2022. He was 9th in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time and faces another tough task this year.
25. Stay Away Fay
Won the 2023 Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and his first two chase races. With form figures of PPP0, he’s hard to support.
26. Meetingofthewaters
Finished 7th in this race last year off a mark of 147 and will run off a 1lb higher mark this time. He’s struggled in his three starts this season, including a race off a mark of just 112 over hurdles in his second-last outing.
27. Monbeg Genius
Came 3rd behind Corach Rambler in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. He won by five lengths at Uttoxeter last time off a mark of 142 and races here off a 5lb higher mark. Advised ante-post by Andy Holding and expected to at least outrun his odds.
28. Vanillier
Finished 2nd to Corach Rambler in this race in 2023, beaten by just 2 ¼ lengths off a mark of 147, before coming 14th last season off 151. He races off 147 again this year and arrives in better shape. He beat Coko Beach by 18 lengths in first-time blinkers in February and was 3rd behind Stumptown at the Cheltenham Festival, despite nearly veering off course. Well fancied by the oddschecker community.
29. Horantzau d’Airy
An eight-year-old previously trained by Willie Mullins, bought for 50,000gns at an online auction, and now with Michael Keady. He’s finished mid-field at Leopardstown in his last two races after two strong runner-up performances earlier this season.
30. Hyland
Won his first two races this season at Cheltenham before finishing behind The Jukebox Man in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He was a beaten favourite when 2nd at Kempton in February in the Ladbrokes Trophy. His best form comes on good ground. One of two plays for Road to Cheltenham.
31. Celebre D'Allen
A 13-year-old who has completed the Becher Chase and Topham Chase courses twice and enters this race after a win at Bangor in November.
32. Three Card Brag
Chased home Corbetts Cross, Monty’s Star, and Spillane’s Tower as a novice chaser last season before winning a Beginners Chase at Navan in January. He was 3rd in a Grade 2 Novice Chase at Navan in February behind stablemates Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story, who both placed in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
33. Twig
Finished 2nd in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season off a mark of 143 and races here off a 3lb higher mark. He ran over hurdles in his first three starts this season before finishing 7th in the Grimthorpe Chase last time back over fences.
34. Duffle Coat
Sneaks in at number 34, squeezing out Harry Redknapp's Shakem Up'arry. Was 2nd in the Galway Plate earlier this season and was on track for a placing in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time when brought down at the second-last fence. He could outperform his long odds.
Grand National Predictions
We’ve rounded up all the selections from our free tipsters for the world’s most famous race covering eight different horses. You can also find out who Andy Holding is backing here.
Follow the links in the table for more reasoning and advised stakes/prices. Note that Steve Ryder’s two selections were advised ante-post and you will need to download the app for Jake's bets, while Architect's two selections are just available in this article.
| Tipster | Selection 1 | Selection 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Ryder | Vanillier | Beauport |
| Road to Cheltenham | Minella Cocooner | Hyland |
| Jake Price | Iroko | Grangeclare West |
| Architect Tips | Stumptown | Threeunderthrufive |
Here’s more on the two selections for Architect:
The Cross Country at Cheltenham is normally a good guide for this race, and having completed a four-timer in that scenario under a monster weight last month, STUMPTOWN could be set to run a huge race. He stays, he gallops and has plenty more to come over marathon trips. This course should really suit him and I’m struggling to see him out of the frame with a clear round.
His connections retain the cheekpieces and it’s interesting to see the blinkers back on him. This should help sharpen him up mid-race. He’s a class horse and it will take a good effort to stop him if he’s within striking distance jumping the final fence. If that latest effort hasn’t taken too much out of him, I think he’s a serious player for the Gavin Cromwell team in the big one.
There’s a good chance THREEUNDETHRUFIVE will exceed market expectations. He’s a strong stayer who jumps well and will have his favoured conditions.
Harry Skelton is a notable jockey booking and this rangey 10-year-old was placed in a Scottish National a couple of seasons ago. He went close off this mark at Ascot last time out, so he’s quite well handicapped, and this has been his target. I think he could run well for Paul Nicholls, with up to six places on offer.
Grand National Tips – The Oddschecker Verdict
Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads a strong JP McManus squad with Iroko, Perceval Legallois and Meetingofthewaters other strong candidates in the famous green and gold silks. That said, an 8lb higher mark for the former, combined with a preparation that hasn't completely gone to plan and his potential quirks, are enough to look elsewhere.
Iroko has long been touted as the ideal Aintree type and warrants plenty of respect, despite the trip being a slight concern. Similar comments apply to Perceval Legallois, but the eight-year-old arrives at the top of his game after big handicap successes at Leopardstown.
Intense Raffles won the Irish National last season and arrives following a fine effort in the Bobbyjo when just denied by Nick Rockett, but the reopposing fourth, MINELLA COCOONER, makes plenty of appeal. A sound jumper who won the bet365 Gold Cup on a decent surface at Sandown last April, that Fairyhouse effort was his best of the season and it appears he has been brought along steadily to peak on the big day.
Stumptown (first) and Vanillier (third) further boost Gavin Cromwell's hopes following their efforts in the Cross Country at Cheltenham, while Hewick, Minella Indo and Hyland are others expected to prove popular.
Prediction: 1st Minella Cocooner, 2nd Iroko, 3rd Perceval Legallois
