Grand National 2025: Inothewayurthinkin out – full list of latest entries

Yahoo

18-03-2025

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, who had been 3-1 favourite, won't line up at Aintree Racecourse after he was taken out of Randox Grand National as 69 remain following the latest scratchings' stage. But last year's winner I Am Maximus, who like Inothewayurthinkin is also owned by JP McManus, still remains on course.
Gavin Cromwell's Inothewayurthinkin had been the market leader with most bookmakers before his win in the Cheltenham Festival feature, where he beat hat-trick-seeking Galopin Des Champs by six lengths. He was then cut to 3-1 favourite but connections have now decided not to let the seven-year-old, who also won at last year's Grand National Festival, to try and become only the second horse after Golden Miller in 1934 to win both races in the same season. He could still line-up in another Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival later next month.
Cromwell confirmed this morning that his charge will not line up in the world's greatest steeplechase on April 5. The County Meath handler told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast: "It wasn't a very difficult decision. He's only a seven-year-old, he's just won a Gold Cup, we've worked very hard on his jumping this season. I think it's the right thing to do. It's tempting being so well in in the handicap, but we'll do the right thing. There's no decision on that (running at Punchestown) either. We'll see what the next few weeks bring and we'll make that decision when we have to. He was a good winner of a Gold Cup, but it's a very hard race on horses and we have to bear in mind he's only a seven-year-old."
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Cromwell still has last week's 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. Stumptown is a best-priced 12-1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and bet365; Vanillier is a 16-1 chance with Ladbrokes and Coral; Perceval Legallois 14-1 with Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power, Skybet, BetVictor and Betfair; and Velvet Elvis.
The new favourite is Intense Raffles, at a best-priced 7-1 with William Hill and bet365. The seven-year-old won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse for County Meath handler Tom Gibney last season and he was second to fellow National entrant Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase back at Fairyhouse in February.
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 this time. He missed his intended prep race, the Bobbyjo Chase – a race he won before Aintree 12 months ago – at Fairyhouse last month due to a respiratory condition. But he is still on course to line-up again. I Am Maximus – who will bid to become the ninth official dual winner – is one of 10 entries still engaged for the reigning British and Irish champion trainer. The nine-year-old is currently a 10-1 chance with William Hill and bet365.
There were 11 horses were taken out of the race and won't be lining up for the 177th running of the Grand National on Saturday, April 5. They were: Inothewayurthinkin; Cromwell stable-mate Limerick Lace; Mouse Morris' Gentlemansgame, the Henry De Bromhead-trained duo Envoi Allen and Monty's Star; the Gordon Elliott-trained Galvin, Neville's The Real Whacker and Trelawne from the Kim Bailey and Matt Nicholls' stable; Pinkerton, Git Maker and Gericault Roque. While French Dynamite, Zanahiyr and Placenet have not met the race conditions to qualify and have also been removed from the National.
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) – has taken out last year's fourth Galvin, who was pulled up in last week's Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Elliott still has 11 entries in the race this time including Three Card Brag, Conflated, Coko Beach, Fil Dor and Minella Crooner.
Mullins' other entries include recent 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 16-1 chance with Paddy Power, Meetingofthewaters is 25-1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and bet365; Minella Cocooner is 40-1 with Skybet; while Grangeclare West 40-1 with official betting partners of the Grand National William Hill and Paddy Power.
There are currently 34 Irish entries but for British trainers Iroko – also owned by JP McManus – 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 William Hill and Coral.
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 25-1 with William Hill and Ladbrokes.
Venetia Williams' dual Haydock Park Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille, who finished sixth in last week's Gold Cup, is also still engaged. The 11-year-old Rich Ricci-owned gelding is a 150-1 chance with Paddy Power and Betfair for the National.
Neville's The Real Whacker, who was fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last week, could now run in the Aintree Bowl Chase on the opening day of the Grand National meeting after being taken out of the big one. On his run in the Gold Cup Neville said: "We were happy and we were disappointed because he never ran his true race because he never saw the first fence. He never got into his rhythm jumping after that, he was just careful and wasn't letting fly. Looking back at it, Brian (Hughes) did well to stay on him as the horse in front of him (Banbridge) just crossed him at the last second and he said he never saw the fence. He was lucky he didn't come down. He's back in one piece and out in the field with the sun on his back. He's in good form, so we'll freshen him up and go to Aintree with him."
He added: "I scratched him from the National and put him in the Bowl, so that's where he'll go. We'll test whether he likes the track and we can aim him at the National next year. Brian minded him the other day when his chance was gone in fairness to him. He was thinking of Aintree when his chance had gone and he picked up a few quid for finishing fifth. It was a great experience and everyone that was involved enjoyed it. It was great that he got around and we'll rock on to the next day, that's all you can do."
There will again be a maximum of 34 runners going to post on the first Saturday of April and Cromwell's Vanillier is currently the 34th runner on the list of entries. Last year due to two late non-runners only 32 lined up in the National as the reserves system was not in place. But this year that 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.
Betting Guide: 7-1 Intense Raffles, 8-1 Iroko, 10-1 I Am Maximus 12- Stumptown, 14-1 Nick Rockett, Perceval Legallois, 16-1 Vanillier, 25-1 Meetingofthewaters, 25-1 Kandoo Kid, Hewick, 33-1 Hyland, Three Card Brag, 40-1 Beauport, Monbeg Genius, Minella Cocooner, 40-1 Grangeclare West, 50-1 Bravemansgame, Broadway Boy, L'Homme Presse, Mr Vango. 66-1 bar.
For full list of William Hill odds, please go to https://sports.williamhill.com/betting/en-gb/horse-racing/OB_EV34940420/aintree-grand-national-non-runner-money-back-5th-apr-2025
For full terms, visit: https://sports.williamhill.com/betting/en-gb/apps/promotions/offer/Grand-National-2025-Non-Runner-Money-Back
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: 'With Cheltenham in the rear-view mirror, we're now full steam ahead to the Randox Grand National Festival. And on seeing favourite Inothewayurthinkin has been taken out of the Grand National, we think as Official Betting Partner of the festival, it's time to give punters the protection of Non-Runner Money Back on the race Even aside from Inothewayurthinkin, there's still a great deal of uncertainty around which contenders will turn up at Aintree on 5th April. But by going Non-Runner Money Back, we hope to give punters the confidence to back their fancy and be safe in the knowledge that should they not run, they'll get their money back.
'Intense Raffles has assumed favouritism at 7-1 as Thomas Gibney's contender bids to follow in I Am Maximus' footsteps and land the Irish Grand National-Grand National double in consecutive years. Iroko follows him at 8-1 and has been a popular pick with our punters, with defending champion I Am Maximus a 10-1 shot to retain his crown. As part of our commitment to great prices, it's been fantastic to hear Oddschecker's verification that William Hill offered more top prices on all four days of Cheltenham than any other major bookmaker*. We'll be committed to the same at Aintree."
* Standard or Joint Top Price UK & Ireland racing 8am to 12pm Tuesday, March 11 2025 to Friday, March 14 compared to Bet365, Skybet, Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook. Based on Win/EW online prices excluding enhancements. Claim verified by Oddschecker.
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, rating
1 I Am Maximus (FR) 9-11-12 Mr JP McManus Willie Mullins (IRE) 1672 Royale Pagaille (FR) 11-11-9 Mrs S Ricci Venetia Williams 1643 Nick Rockett (IRE) 8-11-8 Stewart & Sadie Andrew Willie Mullins (IRE) 1634 L'Homme Presse (FR) 10-11-8 Dfa Racing (Pink, Edwards & Sharman) Venetia Williams 1635 Grangeclare West (IRE) 9-11-8 Cheveley Park Stud Willie Mullins (IRE) 1636 Hewick (IRE) 10-11-7 Mr TJ McDonald Tara Lee Cogan (IRE) 1627 Minella Indo (IRE) 12-11-3 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead (IRE) 1588 Appreciate It (IRE) 11-11-2 Miss MA Masterson Willie Mullins (IRE) 1579 Capodanno (FR) 9-11-2 Mr JP McManus Willie Mullins (IRE) 15710 Minella Cocooner (IRE) 9-11-2 Mr David Bobbett Willie Mullins (IRE) 15711 Stumptown (IRE) 8-11-2 Furze Bush Syndicate Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 15712 Conflated (IRE) 11-11-2 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 15713 Hitman (FR) 9-11-1 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls 15614 Beauport (IRE) 9-11-1 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies 15615 Bravemansgame (FR) 10-11-0 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls 15516 Chantry House (IRE) 11-10-13 Mr JP McManus Nicky Henderson 15417 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 10-10-12 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls 15318 Perceval Legallois (FR) 8-10-12 Mr JP McManus Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 15319 Kandoo Kid (FR) 9-10-11 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls 15220 Iroko (FR) 7-10-11 Mr JP McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero 15221 Intense Raffles (FR) 7-10-10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Thomas Gibney (IRE) 15122 Senior Chief (GB) 8-10-10 Lucky In Life Syndicate Henry de Bromhead (IRE) 15123 Idas Boy (IRE) 11-10-10 Dozen Dreamers Richard Phillips 15124 Mr Incredible (IRE) 9-10-9 Mr J Manclark Sandy Thomson 15025 Fil Dor (FR) 7-10-9 Robcour Gordon Elliott (IRE) 15026 Broadway Boy (IRE) 7-109 Mr DM Proos Nigel Twiston-Davies 15027 Coko Beach (FR) 10-10-9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 15028 Farouk d'Alene (FR) 10-10-9 Mr Justin Carthy Gary Brown (IRE) 15029 Stay Away Fay (IRE) 8-10-9 Bell, Lyons, Hill Paul Nicholls 15030 Velvet Elvis (IRE) 9-10-7 Mr D Kierans Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 14831 Minella Drama (IRE) 10-10-7 Green Day Racing Donald McCain 14832 Meetingofthewaters (IRE) 8-10-7 Mr JP McManus Willie Mullins (IRE) 14833 Monbeg Genius (IRE) 9-10-6 Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill 14734 Vanillier (FR) 10-10-6 Mrs HM Keaveney Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 147
35 Horantzau d'Airy (FR) 8-10-6 Scea De Vallee Michael Keady (IRE) 14736 Hyland (FR) 8 10 6 The Ten From Seven Nicky Henderson 14737 Celebre d'Allen (FR) 13-10-6 Mr Allan Stennett Philip Hobbs & Johnson White 14738 Fontaine Collonges (FR) 10-10-6 Mr P Davies Venetia Williams 14739 Three Card Brag (IRE) 8-10-5 Patrick & Scott Bryceland, McNeill Family Gordon Elliott (IRE) 14640 Minella Crooner (IRE) 9-10-5 KTDA Racing/Nick Courtney/Cillian Moran Gordon Elliott (IRE) 14641 Twig (GB) 10-10-5 Mrs G Morgan Ben Pauling 14642 Quick Wave (FR) 12-10-5 Ms Sharon Kinsella Venetia Williams 14643 Duffle Coat (IRE) 8-10-4 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott (IRE) 14544 Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 11-10-4 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling 14545 Roi Mage (FR) 13-10-4 Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin (IRE) 14546 Favori de Champdou (FR) 10-10-3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 14447 Fantastic Lady (FR) 10-10-3 Mr ER Hanbury Nicky Henderson 14448 Yeah Man (IRE) 8-10-3 John J Brennan/Martin Hannan Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 14449 Mr Vango (IRE) 9-10-2 Cracker and Smodge Partnership Sara Bradstock 14350 Macdermott (FR) 7-10-2 Gallagher Bloodstock Limited Willie Mullins (IRE) 14351 Mister Coffey (FR) 10-10-2 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nicky Henderson 14352 Chemical Energy (IRE) 9-10-2 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott (IRE) 14353 Desertmore House (IRE) 10-10-1 OBP Carroll/Anthony Vaughan Martin Brassil (IRE) 14254 Malina Girl (IRE) 8-10-1 Mrs JM Russell Gavin Cromwell (IRE) 14255 Richmond Lake (IRE) 9-10 1 Hemmings Racing Donald McCain 14256 La Renommee (FR) 7-10-0 Upton House Stud Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole 14157 Stuzzikini (IRE) 7-9-13 VCS Versatile Coating Specialist/F Foran Gordon Elliott (IRE) 14058 King Turgeon (FR) 7-9-13 Somerset Racing David Pipe 14059 Surrey Quest (IRE) 8-9-12 Surrey Racing (SQ) Toby Lawes 13960 Cruz Control (FR) 8-9-12 Mr F Green and Mr J Chinn Tom Lacey 13961 Apple Away (IRE) 8-9-11 Old Gold Racing 14 Lucinda Russell 13862 Busselton (FR) 8-9-11 Friendship Partnership Joseph Patrick O'Brien (IRE) 13863 Spanish Harlem (FR) 7-9-11 Dr SP Fitzgerald Willie Mullins (IRE) 13864 Famous Bridge (IRE) 9-9-9 Hemmings Racing Nicky Richards 13665 Escaria Ten (FR) 11-9-7 J B Property Investments (Midlands) Ltd Martin Keighley 13466 Where It All Began (IRE) 9-9-7 McNeill Family/Patrick & Scott Bryceland Gordon Elliott (IRE) 13467 Pats Fancy (IRE) 10-9-3 Hydes, McDermott, Spencer, Frobisher & Lee Rebecca Curtis 130
67 entries remain (34 Irish-trained) after March 18 scratchings deadline
Scratched: Envoi Allen, Inothewayurthinkin, Gentlemansgame, Monty's Star, Limerick Lace, Galvin, The Real Whacker, Trelawne, Pinkerton, Git Maker, Gericault Roque. Not qualified: French Dynamite, Zanahiyr and Placenet