Grand National pinstickers' guide to runners

BBC News

03-04-2025

Randox Grand National 2025Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday, 5 April Time: 16:00 BSTCoverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. Racecards, live text, results & reports on the BBC Sport website and app.
Runners, riders, trainers and form - all the key details you need to know for Saturday's big race at Aintree.Note: Colours and approximate odds may change.(Racecard number, horse, trainer, jockey, recent form, age, weight carried [ie 11st 12lb is top weight]. Form: F - Fell, P - Pulled up, U - Unseated rider.)Verdict: Lots with chances but Senior Chief could still be improving, while Hewick looks primed to run well.1 Senior Chief 2 Hewick 3 Stumptown 4 Iroko
1. I Am Maximus
Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Paul TownendForm: 311-P8 Age: 9 Weight: 11-12Convincing victor last year, having won the Irish National 12 months earlier, and could well be in the shake-up again. Pinpointed two months ago by 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy - who advises the owner - as the pick of JP McManus' stellar squad. Would be the first horse carrying top weight to triumph since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s.Rating: 8/10 Odds: 10-1
2. Royale Pagaille
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie DeutschForm: F-1P66 Age: 11 Weight:11-9Thrives in different conditions, at Haydock in the mud – scene of five of his seven career victories, including back-to-back runnings of the Betfair Chase. Past three runs have been disappointing. Owned by flamboyant former banker Rich Ricci, you might not get rich backing this one although trainer did triumph with 100-1 outsider Mon Mome in 2009.Rating: 5/10 Odds: 125-1
3. Nick Rockett
Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Patrick MullinsForm: 73-411 Age: 8 Weight: 11-8Owner Stewart Andrew clearly thinks he's a rocket - he eyed Cheltenham Gold Cup, but trainer preferred to go for the National. Would be an emotional winner as Andrew's wife Sadie died in December 2022, five days after watching Nick Rockett in his first race. A winner of the Thyestes Chase then Bobbyjo Chase, where Intense Raffles was runner-up, but that rival better off at the weights here. Jockey rides for trainer father.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1
4. Grangeclare West
Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Brian HayesForm: 1-P625 Age: 9 Weight: 11-8Would be a poignant winner as the last horse bought for owners Cheveley Park Stud by joint boss David Thompson at the end of 2020, just 19 days before his death. Runner-up in Irish Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs at 66-1 when finishing ahead of subsequent Cheltenham winners Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin. Drying ground should suit.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1
5. Hewick
Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon Jockey: Gavin SheehanForm: 232571 Age: 10 Weight: 11-7An £800 bargain buy who has won big races including the King George VI Chase, Bet365 Gold Cup, Galway Plate and American Grand National. Trainer, nicknamed 'Shark', has taken horse into local pub to celebrate victories, and believes he could be sent off favourite. Well backed in lead-up to race, would be suited by dry spell with good going right up his street.Rating: 8/10 Odds: 10-1
6. Minella Indo
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead (IRE) Jockey: Rachael BlackmoreForm: 443-26 Age: 12 Weight: 11-3Looked a potential winner last year in closing stages before finishing third. Triumphed in 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup for trainer, who won National a month later with stablemate Minella Times as Rachael Blackmore became first female jockey to win the race. Could easily be prominent again for her although would be some effort to become only third horse to complete Gold Cup-National double.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1
7. Appreciate It
Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Sean O'KeeffeForm: 2-5351 Age: 11 Weight: 11-2Showed bundles of promise when winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival four years ago but much of that has been unfulfilled. Won for the first time in two years last time out at Thurles. Not the most obvious victor in trainer's talented team and no guarantee at all that he will appreciate this marathon distance.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1
8. Minella Cocooner
Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Jonathan BurkeForm: 0-8P43 Age: 9 Weight: 11-2While powerful trainer has other hopefuls, including last year's winner, don't let this one go under the radar. Third under top weight to Intense Raffles in last year's Irish Grand National before winning Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Breeding and form point to potential for big run. Minella horses take their name from a Tipperary family hotel run by racehorse trader John Nallen.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1
9. Conflated
Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: TBCForm: U58708 Age: 11 Weight: 11-2Boasts some decent form including Irish Gold Cup win, when Minella Indo was second, albeit that was three years ago. Has run well at this meeting before, including a good second to Jonbon over shorter distance last year. Trainer seeking fourth victory in race, but suspicion is age, weight and longer trip may be against this one.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1
10. Stumptown
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Jockey: Keith DonoghueForm: -U1111 Age: 11 Weight: 11-2Secured fourth straight victory of the season by winning Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham Festival in fine style last month. That is the same race Tiger Roll won before his 2018 and 2019 National triumphs. Stumptown's trainer went to town at Cheltenham by landing the Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin, who was then made hot favourite for this but skips the race.Rating: 8/10 Odds: 8-1
11. Hitman
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Freddie GingellForm: 83-222 Age: 9 Weight: 11-1Part-owned by former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Hitman has been a bit hit and miss. Has a habit of coming second - finishing runner-up in 11 of his 26 races - and this distance is a real unknown. Talented 19-year-old jockey credits much of his success to mother, Kim, who died in 2020 from cancer at the age of 43.Rating: 5/10 Odds: 150-1
12. Beauport
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-DaviesForm: 1P-132 Age: 9 Weight: 11-1Jockey rides for trainer father, who has landed the race twice before. Winner of Midlands Grand National last year. Owner Bryan Burrough hoping for second success, 42 years after his colours were carried to victory by the Jenny Pitman-trained Corbiere. It's a tough ask but had a convincing victory over fences at Ascot earlier in season and stamina looks assured.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1
13. Bravemansgame
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: James ReveleyForm: 6-2383 Age: 10 Weight: 11-0Form has dipped since reaching top of his game two or three years ago. Won jump racing's festive showpiece, the King George VI Chase at Kempton, in 2022 and was second a year later. In between, finished runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Will take a brave man or woman to pick this one after an 11-race losing run. Stable jockey rides Kandoo Kid.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1
14. Chantry House
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James BowenForm: 9-5515 Age: 11 Weight: 10-13Bit of an enigma. Was on a 10-race losing run when won well at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Maybe he was just in the party mood. Green and gold colours of owner JP McManus look more likely to succeed elsewhere, although there is a breeding positive - Chantry House's sire Yeats was also dad to 2022 National winner Noble Yeats.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1
15. Threeunderthrufive
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry SkeltonForm: 210-32 Age: 10 Weight: 10-12Named after owner Max McNeill's late father and ex-professional golfer Ted, who was three under par through five holes to lead The Open at Royal Portrush in 1951. Will the gelding be above or below par? Fourth in the Scottish National two years ago but well behind Minella Cocooner and Nick Rockett in last season's Bet365 Gold Cup.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1
16. Perceval Legallois
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Jockey: Mark WalshForm: 286411 Age: 8 Weight: 10-12Another powerful weapon in the armoury of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer, who also has Stumptown and Vanillier. A beaten favourite for both the Galway Plate and Kerry National but form of his Leopardstown win in December reads well and now takes a big step up in trip. Named after a 1970s film about a 12th Century knight, could he put his rivals to the sword here?Rating: 7/10 Odds: 12-1
17. Kandoo Kid
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry CobdenForm: P23-18 Age: 9 Weight: 10-11Decent third in Topham Chase over National fences last year. Won Coral Gold Cup, formerly the Hennessy, at Newbury in November. Only one horse, Many Clouds, has gone on to also win the National, though trainer thinks he can do it. He won in 2012 with Neptune Collonges and says the grey Kandoo Kid is the "ideal horse for the race".Rating: 7/10 Odds: 20-1
18. Iroko
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill JrForm: 2-2F42 Age: 7 Weight: 10-11A Cheltenham Festival winner in 2023. Second at Aintree meeting 12 months ago to subsequent Gold Cup winner Inowthewayurthinkin when nominated by owner JP McManus as his 'National horse for next year'. Joint-trainer Oliver Greenall's father Lord Daresbury is former racecourse chairman who has an Aintree stand named after him. Co-trainer Josh Guerriero won Foxhunters' Chase over National fences as amateur jockey in 2008.Rating: 8/10 Odds: 9-1
19. Intense Raffles
Trainer: Tom Gibney (IRE) Jockey: JJ SlevinForm: 11-902 Age: 7 Weight: 10-10Sounds like a deadly serious lottery, and has a deadly serious chance. Winner of the Irish Grand National last year. Nearly all of his races have been on soft or heavy ground. The grey runs in the 'double green' colours of owner-breeders Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Showed his wellbeing when second, despite carrying more weight, to Nick Rockett at Fairyhouse in February.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 10-1
20. Senior Chief
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead (IRE) Jockey: Darragh O'KeeffeForm: 1P-169 Age: 9 Weight: 10-10Pulled up in last year's Irish National but marked himself out as a candidate for this race when winning well at Cheltenham in October. Subsequently sixth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury when he was staying on, which could be a good sign for the test ahead. Owned by the Lucky In Life Syndicate. Will the horse live up to their name?Rating: 8/10 Odds: 25-1
21. Idas Boy
Trainer: Richard Phillips Jockey: Harry BannisterForm: F03106 Age: 11 Weight: 10-10Previously based in Ireland, where he won the Midlands National last summer at Kilbeggan. Having second run for amiable Gloucestershire trainer, who does a nice line in impressions. He helped buy the horse with John Rosbotham, a friend of 55 years with whom he dreamed in the school playground of having a National runner, and it runs for a syndicate of 12 called the Dozen Dreamers.Rating: 4/10 Odds: 100-1
22. Fil Dor
Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: TBCForm: 212433 Age: 7 Weight: 10-9Five of his six wins have come at roughly half the distance of this race. Looks an uphill task on the face of it, but interestingly mentioned as a potential surprise package by the trainer – who has won three times previously - when weights for the race were announced in February. Would probably benefit from soft ground.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1
23. Broadway Boy
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Tom BellamyForm: 5-324P Age: 7 Weight: 10-9Owner David Proos hoping to go two better after his family silks were carried to third by Rinus in 1990. No forlorn hope based on his second to Kandoo Kid in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. One for alliteration fans – could Broadway Boy follow Mon Mome, Party Politics and Red Rum as a nifty-sounding National winner for trainer, who has triumphed twice before?Rating: 7/10 Odds: 66-1
24. Coko Beach
Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: TBCForm: U50029 Age: 10 Weight: 10-9Eleventh in last year's race, when hampered late on, having previously finished eighth and pulled up. Prominent on each occasion before fading. Winner of the Troytown Chase in 2023. Will probably be spotted towards the front again but takes a leap of faith to see him stay there and become only the fourth grey horse to win the National.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1
25. Stay Away Fay
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Paul O'BrienForm: 3PP-P0 Age: 8 Weight: 10-9Looked to be heading for big things after winning Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023 but career over the bigger obstacles has not been straightforward and pulled up on three of his past four runs. Jockey called up for first ride in race after original bookings Bryony Frost (riding in France) then Johnny Burke (on Minella Cocooner instead) were unavailableRating: 5/10 Odds: 66-1
26. Meetingofthewaters
Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Danny MullinsForm: 37-008 Age: 8 Weight: 10-7'Caught the eye' of last year's winning trainer when the weights were revealed in February. Finished seventh in 2024 when appeared to run out of steam. That could be perceived as a stamina doubt, although might see out the trip better now a year stronger and stable's Hedgehunter won in 2005 after a tired late fall the previous year.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1
27. Monbeg Genius
Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O'Neill Jockey: Nick ScholfieldForm: 5P-241 Age: 9 Weight: 10-9Intriguing contender who finished fourth in the Welsh Grand National before ending a two-year losing run with victory at Uttoxeter. Finished third to subsequent National winner Corach Rambler at Cheltenham Festival two years ago. Formerly owned by Tory peer Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman before being sold last year to Martin Tedham, who sponsors the trainer's yard.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1
28. Vanillier
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Jockey: Sean FlanaganForm: -P6913 Age: 10 Weight: 10-6This was my selection in 2023, when he ended up finishing second to Corach Rambler for shrewd trainer. Was 14th last year on softer ground but comfortable Punchestown win in February showcased his credentials. Nearly took the wrong route at Cheltenham last month before recovering to finish third in Cross Country Chase. Chance again if the satnav is working.Rating: 7/10 Odds: 10-1
29. Horantzau D'Airy
Trainer: Michael Keady Jockey: Ciaran GethingsForm: F22999 Age: 8 Weight: 10-6Runner-up in the Kerry and Munster Nationals when trained by Willie Mullins but switched stables last month. Now based in the Flat racing capital of Newmarket. Trainer set up on his own five months ago and is looking for first win over jumps in biggest steeplechase of all. Has to be a doubt over whether this contender possesses the same ability and stamina as some of his rivals.Rating: 4/10 Odds: 100-1
30. Hyland
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de BoinvilleForm: 141122 Age: 8 Weight: 10-6Novice chaser looking to break duck for trainer, who is one of the greats but has poor record in this race – with no win from 43 previous runners. Sound jumper who should like the ground. Need an omen? One of the owners, Paul Humphreys, was born on same day as Grand National legend Red Rum. Their syndicate once included the late John Sillett, Coventry City's FA Cup-winning manager.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1
31. Celebre D'Allen
Trainer: Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Jockey: Micheal NolanForm: 45U4-1 Age: 13 Weight: 10-6The obstacles should not be an issue, having finished eighth and fourth in the past two runnings of the shorter Topham Chase over the National fences. However, this is a longer and stiffer task. No 13-year-old horse has won the National since Sergeant Murphy 102 years ago and hard to see an equine teenager being celebrated this time around.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 150-1
32. Three Card Brag
Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: Sean BowenForm: -33713 Age: 10 Weight: 10-5This race has been the long-term plan, says the trainer, who has been successful three times before. And he has been dealt a nice hand with the horse sneaking in towards the bottom of the weights. Rider is actually allergic to horses, but is on the verge of becoming British champion jockey and steps in for injured Jack Kennedy.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1
33. Twig
Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Beau MorganForm: 5-2P77 Age: 10 Weight: 10-5A family affair as 20-year-old jockey rides horse owned by his mother Georgia. The expected sunny conditions should suit as six of his seven wins have come on good ground. Second in the Ultima Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival, he ran three times over hurdles this season before finishing a distant seventh in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 80-1
34. Duffle Coat
Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: TBCForm: 352P4B Age: 8 Weight: 10-4Unlikely to need a Duffle Coat on Merseyside this weekend with sunny spells forecast and temperatures expected to reach 18C. Unlikely too that this grey will prove good enough to triumph despite low weight. Runner-up in last summer's Galway Plate and has finished second several times but only managed to wrap up one win from his past 27 races.Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1