Latest news with #IntenseRaffles
Irish Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ted Walsh pays tribute to 'great horse' Any Second Now as retirement confirmed
Ted Walsh paid tribute to Any Second Now after watching his veteran finish second in the Irish Grand National once again on Easter Monday. The JP McManus-owned gelding ran another cracker at Fairyhouse, 12 months after finishing runner-up to Intense Raffles, as he chased home Haiti Couleurs in the 3m5f contest under Mark Walsh. The trainer confirmed after the race that it was the last run of the 13-year-old's incredible career. He told ITV: "Great horse. He's nine seasons there with us and since he won his first race at Navan, won a Moscow Flyer over two miles, won several races over two, won a Bobbyjo over three, won a Webster Cup over two and a half, second and third in two English Nationals, second in two Irish Nationals so what more could you get? "Other than winning, you couldn't get a better result. A better horse beat him on the day and a better horse beat him last year and that's all you can do! Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "That's definitely the last time (he runs). I'm delighted he's going out sound. I'd have been happy today once he pulled up and ran a good race. "A win would have been real fairytale stuff, but he definitely won't run again and he'll enjoy himself."
Telegraph
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Who will win the Grand National 2025?
The Grand National might be famed as a race that is a lottery to predict, but there is evidence that could be changing, with favourites having fared well in recent years. Before the big race at Aintree today, we have picked out two of the top contenders who we think have what it takes to join the illustrious list of former winners of this legendary sporting event. bet365 is offering a 25% boost on select bets for today's event. Grand National winner betting tips Stumptown @ 10/1 with bet365 Intense Raffles @ 12/1 with bet365 Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change. Already used the bet365 sign-up offer? Check out all the latest free bets and the best betting sites. Stumptown a worthy favourite The shortest-priced horse was once considered one to avoid in the Grand National – and only 12 favourites or joint-favourites have won in 77 renewals of the race in the post-war era. However, three of those favourites have triumphed in the previous five Nationals, including each of the past two years, modifications to the fences and field size making the race less unpredictable. Pre-race favourite STUMPTOWN therefore deserves attention and has the pedigree to back up his status. For one, the eight-year-old gelding is trained by Gavin Cromwell, who recently enjoyed Gold Cup success with Inothewayurthinkin. Stumptown has won his last four races, his latest victory coming over 3m 5½f in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The unique fences of the cross-country course at Prestbury Park, where Stumptown also won on his penultimate start last December, help to make it a good indicator of success at the Grand National, as Tiger King proved by winning both races in 2018 and 2019. Buy a ticket for Intense Raffles At a slightly bigger price is INTENSE RAFFLES, the Tom Gibney-trained winner of the Irish Grand National last year. Jockey JJ Slevin was on board for that victory and will once again take the reins at Aintree. Since that win the grey has had a couple of uninspiring performances at Navan, but he bounced back with an impressive second-placed finish in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on his last outing. This is a horse whose season has clearly been mapped out with the National in mind and he could be hitting form at the right time. There is a concern that Intense Raffles' past successes have mainly come on soft ground – conditions we are unlikely to see at Aintree – but the course should be watered sufficiently to ensure that this is not a major issue.
Telegraph
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Grand National tips: Aintree betting selections from Telegraph Sport
Grand National 2025 runners, riders With just one day to go until the Grand National, the time has come for you to make your selection for the most famous race of all. If you need a run-down of all 34 contenders, click here for Telegraph Sport's full runners and riders guide and here to download our sweepstake kit. If you're looking to back one of our selections then it could pay to check out these Grand National free bets first. Here, we turn to our experts for their predictions for the race's winner as well the who will fill out the first four places. Marcus Armytage Hyland (Nicky Henderson) His trainer has never been able to replicate his first National runner Zongalero, who finished second. Since, nearly a quarter of his 40 plus runners have tipped up at the first he may never get a better chance than with Hyland. The novice chaser has no weight and, as much as the chuck water on the course to soften it up, it is drying out and having walked the course on Thursday and I reckon the ground is nearer good than soft. That won't suit the soft ground brigade but Hyland will love it. He had a very good racing weight and Grade One form - he has just got to survive the first! First-four prediction Hyland Iroko Perceval Legallois Beauport Marlborough Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) Gavin Cromwell, trainer of this year's Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, along with owner JP McManus must have been tempted to run that horse in this year's Grand National, but the decision to keep him at home would have been made easier knowing they had Perceval Legallois entered with an excellent chance. This eight-year-old gelding has been a slow burner over fences. Having a looked a promising staying horse over hurdles, connections decided to take a patient approach and he didn't run over three miles again until this season where his form has taken off. His win at Leopardstown in December was the perfect audition for a Grand National, dourly staying on up the run-in to win with loads in hand. That patient approach has meant he is still unexposed over marathon trips and he is able to run on Saturday with only 10 stone 12 pounds on his back. Jockey, Mark Walsh mentioned after Perceval Legallois' latest victory he feels he has unfinished business with this horse. They can get the job done to give owner, JP McManus a record breaking fourth win in the race. Charlie Brooks Intense Raffles (Tom Gibney) Since he won the Irish Grand National a year ago, the plan has clearly been to win the Grand National. His handicap mark over fences has been protected by two quiet runs over hurdles this season. His only run over fences was an excellent second in the Bobby chase at Fairyhouse, cunningly after the weights for the national had been published. He ran an excellent second, form which is good enough if he stays the extra five furlongs. Rain would not do any harm, but he should also have the class to go on better ground. First-four prediction Intense Raffles Stumptown Vanilier Hewick Tom Ward Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) Another horse from the Cromwell stable who looks to have been laid out for this race all season. Perceval Legallois first caught the eye winning at the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival when he demolished a competitive handicap hurdle field off what, in hindsight, was a mark that far underestimated his abilities. Hi switch to chasing has not been without its ups and downs but he this season he has slowly come to the boil, running well in the Kerry National and the Troytown before dotting up in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas off a mark of 142. He got an 11lb hike in the weights for his trouble that day but the manner of the success suggested there could be even more to come even off a revised mark. Switched back to hurdles at this year's Dublin Racing Festival, he again took down a big handicap in what could prove to be the perfect prep for the Grand National. The only unknown is the trip but he's bred to stay and has looked strongest at the finish in both wins this season. He has a huge chance. First-four prediction Perceval Legallois Vanillier Beauport Hyland Tom Morgan Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell) Stumptown has been excelling on the jumps and is as obvious a choice as any. The bay gelding has been rising through the ranks steadily as a force in recent years. Consistent performances and an ability to thrive under pressure are an ideal blend. BoyleSports Racing AI Simulator gives Stumptown an 11.5 per cent chance of success in its algorithm factoring in odds, trainer performance, horse ratings, ground preference, age trends, and previous form. First-four prediction Stumptown Hewick Intense Raffles I Am Maximus Celebrity picks JP McManus (Three-time winning owner): 'We've got a few with chances but I think I Am Maximus has the best chance; he's proven.' Bob Champion, winning jockey on Aldaniti in 1981: 'Stumptown, jumps, stays and will keep galloping.' Ben Wallace, former government minister: 'Nick Rocket, won a good trial and one from the all conquering Willie Mullins yard.'
The Independent
25-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Grand National 2025 Odds: Latest Grand National Betting Odds & Tips
No sooner had the dust settled on a dramatic Cheltenham Festival, but attention switched to the world's greatest horse race staged at Liverpool on the first Saturday in April. The Grand National captures the imagination of the entire nation and our aim is to educate those taking an interest in the race on all of the leading fancies, outlining the chances of the favourites as well as pinpointing some of the best Grand National outsiders. Check out all of the latest Grand National odds from all the best betting sites and weigh up the chances of the National contenders against the trends of previous winners using the betting strategies outlined below. Latest Grand National Odds The 2025 Grand National odds recently altered dramatically when the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin was ruled out for the race having been installed as a red-hot 3/1 favourite by most horse racing betting sites following his impressive success at the Festival. Backers are now concentrating on the likes of Intense Raffles and Iroko, while the 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus is also the recipient of market support for trainer Willie Mullins who sent out an incredible 10 winners at Cheltenham. Grand National Favourites Intense Raffles Trainer: Thomas Gibney Age: 7 Form: 11-902 Previous Grand National results: N/A Intense Raffles looked a likely type for this race when winning the Irish National on heavy ground last spring. Two hurdle outings and a promising effort behind Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase, a race favoured by Irish trainers when preparing for this race, should have put him spot on. Iroko Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Age: 7 Form: 2-2F42 Previous Grand National results: N/A As has been the case in recent renewals, Irish contenders dominate the Grand National betting, although the presence of the lightly-raced Iroko ensures the home team have a live contender. Iroko caught the eye of most racegoers with a promising effort at Cheltenham in January, staying on well under tender handling over a trip short of his best. A recent spin at Kelso behind Grey Dawning was a career best over fences and this test should suit ideally. I Am Maximus Trainer: Willie Mullins Age: 9 Form: 311-P8 Previous Grand National results: 1st (2024) Back-to-back winners of the National are rare, albeit the legendary Tiger Roll managed it this century, so I Am Maximus will need to be a true gladiator to lift this prize again. In his defence, he has run in two races he couldn't win this term and is only nine years of age so he may be capable of defying an 8lb higher mark this year. Stumptown Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Age: 8 Form: -U1111 Previous Grand National results: N/A Stumptown has taken to the Cross-Country course at Punchestown and Cheltenham and follows a similar route to the one employed by Tiger Roll's connections. He may not be the best handicapped, but he stays really strongly and won with plenty in hand at the Cheltenham Festival. Vanillier Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Age: 10 Form: -P6913 Previous Grand National results: 2nd (2023), 14th (2024) Vanillier caught the eye behind his stablemate Stumptown at Cheltenham where his rider nearly took the wrong direction. He did remarkably well to finish third, but has had two tries at this race already and repeat triers historically struggle. Perceval Legallois Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Age: 8 Form: -286411 Previous Grand National results: N/A Perceval Legallois represents a stable with a strong hand in this race and he could well be a springer in the market given he is well weighted, the right age and has already won two huge field handicaps at Leopardstown this term, the last one over hurdles. Best Bets for the Grand National Grand National Best Bet Perceval Legallois The fact that trainer Gavin Cromwell and owner JP McManus are happy to withdraw strong ante-post favourite Inothewayurthinkin from the National suggests they feel they may already combine to provide the perfect horse for the race. Perceval Legallois looks a staying chaser going places and marginally gains the nod ahead of in-form duo Iroko and Stumptown who also represent the duo but for differing connections. Grand National Each-Way Contender Three Card Brag Three Card Brag chased home the likes of Corbetts Cross, Monty's Star and Spillane's Tower as a novice and has already shown himself a talented chaser this year. His latest run behind Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story also reads well so off a mark of 146 he could be very dangerous. Grand National Longshot Senor Chief Senor Chief was sent off at 10/1 for the Irish National last spring, but his trainer feels he is a better horse going left handed, a view which was endorsed at Cheltenham in October when he bounced off the good ground to win gamely. Available at big prices in the National markets on most betting apps, he fits a lot of the trends required to win a National. Grand National Betting Strategies There are all sorts of different bets to consider when the Grand National rolls round, with bookmakers offering a wide range of markets such as the age of the winner, the nationality of the winning trainer and how many horses will finish the race. The modifications to the fences and the smaller fields mean more and more horses are completing with 21, 17, 15 and 15 finishing in the last four renewals. It often pays to back more than one horse in the Grand National as it can be hugely deflating witnessing your sole wager capsize at the first fence. Look out for bookmaker and promotions regarding free bets as they can be ideal to use as supplementary plays on outsiders or lesser fancies. Shop around to find the best horse racing free bets & offers as there will be a lot of competition for your wagers. Grand National Trends The last nine winners were rated between 146-160 Seven of the last nine winners were second season chasers 16 of the past 28 winners were priced at 14/1 or shorter in the market The past nine winners were aged nine or younger Only five of the last nine winners had failed to win over trips in excess of 3m1f. Five of the last six winners were trained in Ireland. Only four winners this century had not won over three miles. Noble Yeats became the first horse aged seven to win since Bogskar in 1940. Past Grand National Winners Year Horse Age Weight Trainer Jockey Odds 2024 I Am Maximus 8 11-6 W P Mullins P Townend 7/1JF 2023 Corach Rambler 9 10-5 L Russell D Fox 8/1F 2022 Noble Yeats 7 10-10 E Mullins S Waley-Cohen 50/1 2021 Minella Times 8 10-9 H De Bromhead R Blackmore 11/1 2019 Tiger Roll 8 11-05 G Elliott D Russell 4/1F 2018 Tiger Roll 8 10-13 G Elliott D Russell 10/1 2017 One For Arthur 8 10-11 L Russell D Fox 14/1 2016 Rule The World 9 10-07 M Morris D Mullins 30/1 2015 Many Clouds 8 11-9 O Sherwood L Aspell 25/1 Responsible Gambling It is important that punters remember to bet responsibly on the Grand National and during the 2025 National meeting, and utilise the multitude of safer gambling tools that gambling sites provide if needed. Whether you are using an online casino UK, slot sites, online bookmakers, or any other gambling medium, be sure to check out and utilise the safer gambling tools, such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. These facilities can stop gambling from getting out of hand. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling-related problems, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The service is free of charge and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alternatively, there are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below: Grand National FAQs How are Grand National odds determined? The odds for the Grand National can alter for a variety of reasons. Given the popularity of the race, horses with catchy names and emotional back stories can be as well supported as the clear form choices. As the race has changed in dynamic recently, the classier types are more favoured by the modifications made to the fences so those at the top end of the handicap could be the ones to concentrate on. What is the best bet for the Grand National? Perceval Legallois looks to have undergone the ideal National preparation and makes plenty of appeal at current prices. Of those at big prices, Bravemansgame and Senior Chief could enjoy the niche nature of this event. How many places do bookmakers pay in the Grand National? In a race of this nature, bookmakers would normally offer four or five places, but with the Grand National that can vary wildly. In years gone by with 40 horses going to post, some bookmakers have offered up to 10 places, but most betting sites offer each-way betting down to sixth place. Through their excellent each-way extra concession, Bet365 may offer more places for players. How many horses are in the Grand National? The maximum field is now set at 34 runners. How much does the Grand National winner get? The winner of the Grand National scoops a cool half a million pounds and prize money is paid all the way down to the 10th horse across the finishing line.
