Bookmakers fear bashing from grey horses in today's Grand National

Telegraph

05-04-2025

The Grand National will be the 'greyest' in living memory with seven grey runners accounting for more than 20 per cent of the 34-runner field.
Only three greys have won the National since it was first run in 1839; The Lamb in 1868 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver in 1961 and Neptune Collonges in 2012. But with Irish National winner Intense Raffles, Kandoo Kid, 2023 runner-up Vanillier and Hyland all prominent in the betting, there is an outside chance that greys could fill a number of the places.
Previously five greys have run in the race twice, the last time in 2002, but that was when there were 40 runners. This year, with Duffle Coat having squeezed into the field in the 34th berth, the National trumps anything which has gone before.
The once-a-year punters, who come out in force on Grand National day, have a penchant for greys and in the 177th running of the race, they will be spoilt for choice. Ladbrokes go as short as 5-2 for a grey winner, 5-2 a grey to lead over the last, 12-1 greys to finish first and second and 50-1 greys to fill the first three places. It is only 6-1 that they all complete the course.
Alex Apati, Ladbrokes spokesman, said: 'With grey horses making up over 20 per cent of the likely field, this is without doubt the strongest 'grey' challenge for the Grand National in living memory.
'The betting public love grey horses, the great Desert Orchid being the most famous example of a supremely popular grey racehorse, and every year backing a grey racehorse is voiced as one of the most popular ways to pick a horse amongst Grand National punters, so we are bracing ourselves for an avalanche of bets on this strong team of greys.
'Make no mistake, if grey horses fill the first three places at 50-1 it will be a very grey day indeed for British bookies.'
Paul Nicholls, who trained Neptune Collonges, continues to give an upbeat assessment of Kandoo Kid, the second shortest-priced British runner after Iroko. 'When he finished third, running on, in the Topham Chase over the fences last year I said we'd train him for two races this year; the Coral Gold Cup, which he won, and the National. He had a nice run round Newbury last time and I think he's fairly handicapped because we've minded him.'
Were Kandoo Kid to win it would put Nicholls only £100,000 behind his former assistant Dan Skelton, who was just pipped by Willie Mullins last year, in the trainers' title, which would make the last few weeks of the season interesting. 'Putting the title aside,' added Nicholl, 'it would be nice to win the National again with another grey.'
Perhaps most, however, is riding on the novice Hyland's shoulders. Nicky Henderson has been training for nearly 50 years and has never come closer to winning the race than his first attempt with Zongalero who was runner-up to Rubstic in 1979. Nine of his 40-plus runners since have come a cropper at the first.
Hyland, who is owned by the Ten From Seven syndicate which includes several octogenarians, is a good ground specialist who will appreciate a dry week, which will mean the course should be nearer his favoured good ground than soft for the brigade of runners who like it that way.
How many grey horses are running in the 2025 Grand National?
There are a record seven grey horses running in this year's Grand National.
Intense Raffles (trainer Tom Gibney), 7-1
Winner of last year's Irish National, kept to hurdling this season until he warmed up for this with an excellent second when all wrong at the weights in the Bobbyjo Chase.
Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell), 12-1
Runner up to Corach Rambler two years ago, 14th last year but arguably coming into this year's race in better form than 12 months ago after finishing an unlucky third in the cross-country at Cheltenham. Appears transformed by blinkers.
Kandoo Kid (Paul Nicholls), 16-1
Winner of the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November and had a nice warm-up over too short a trip last month. Trainer sent out the last grey to win the National.
Hyland (Nicky Henderson), 25-1
Novice chaser who might be well in at the weights. Runner-up in a Grade One novice chase at Christmas and good second at Kempton carrying top weight on last start. Will like the ground. Big chance.
Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott), 66-1
Has been round the course in three Nationals finishing eighth, pulled up and 11th. Safe jumper but evidence suggests he does not quite get the trip.
Fil Dor (Gordon Elliott), 66-1
Rarely out of the money but biggest claim to fame remains finishing second to Vauban in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle. His illustrious stablemate Tiger Roll won that race.
Duffle Coat (Gordon Elliott), 100-1
Mayo National winner who will enjoy the ground. Was not beaten when brought down at the second last in the National Hunt Chase on his last start. One of the better 100-1 shots.
How many grey horses have ever won the Grand National?
Only three grey horses have ever won the National, although the Lamb won it twice.
The Lamb (1868 and 1871)
Nicolaus Silver (1961)
Neptune Collonges (2012)