Grand National Runners 2025: A guide to the 34 hopefuls

The world-famous Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday afternoon (16:00) and features 34 runners for the second year in a row.

Here's my guide to those Grand National runners - including the latest odds and a brief assessment of each one's chances.

Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell/Keith Donohue) @ 7/1

The pick of the bunch for Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell. The eight-year-old has found his calling in Cross Country races, winning four of five starts over the last 11 months including at the Cheltenham Festival. He had a tough race in the Cotswolds just over three weeks ago, which is a concern, but he ticks almost every other box so it's no surprise he's been so well-backed.

I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) @ 15/2

Defends his crown off eight pounds higher. Has improved significantly between his two runs this season and is reportedly coming to the boil at home. It's a big ask to win this off 167 carrying 11-12, but he's a classy operator and it would be no great surprise to see him do it again.

Hewick (John Hanlon/Gavin Sheehan) @ 9/1

The horse of a lifetime having earned £750k since fetching just €850 back in 2017. Won the 2023 King George VI Chase against the odds and was runner-up in a Grade 1 as recently as November. The 10-year-old will love conditions, but there's no telling how he'll cope with the unique fences and marathon distance. Interesting contender.

Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero/Jonjo O'Neill Jr) @ 9/1

Runner-up to Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at this meeting last year. The seven-year-old is without a win in four starts in open company since, but he's been working backwards from the National and ought to have a lot more to offer. Undeniable chance off a nice weight.

Online & App only. 7 Places @ 1/5 Odds. Applies to single & multiple bets placed 12:00 03/04/25 – 16:00 05/04/25. Win or Each-Way market only. Best Odds Guaranteed does not apply. T&Cs Apply.

Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell/Sean Flanagan) @ 9/1

Only eight-and-a-quarter lengths behind stablemate Stumptown in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival just gone, despite almost taking a wrong turn before the third fence. Lots to like on that evidence, but he's already had a couple of cracks at this race - finishing second in 2023 and 14th last year - and isn't getting any younger.

Intense Raffles (Thomas Gibney/JJ Slevin) @ 10/1

Last year's Irish Grand National winner who arrives on Merseyside off the back of a career-best effort in the G3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in late February. He was just touched off by Nick Rockett that day, but is a whopping 15lbs better off on Saturday. Massive chance, but needs to prove he acts on good ground.

Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell/Mark Walsh) @ 11/1

Another for man-of-the-moment Gavin Cromwell and another sporting the famous green and gold of JP McManus. The eight-year-old is in the form of his life, but he's got it all to do off a career-high mark. Wouldn't be a shocking winner, but others appeal more.

Minella Cocooner (Willie Mullins/Jonathan Burke) @ 14/1

Was only four lengths behind the aforementioned Intense Raffles, conceding eight pounds, in last year's Irish National before winning the Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown just weeks later. His current mark of 157 looks inflated, but he will love the spring ground and certainly isn't hopeless.

Kandoo Kid (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) @ 16/1

Fourteen-time Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls saddles five in this year's National and this looks the pick of the bunch. He was third in the Topham at this meeting last year, getting valuable experience over those famous fences, and returned over 200 days later to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. He warmed up for the big one back at the Berkshire venue last month and arrives with decent claims.

Meetingofthewaters (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) @ 16/1

Third in the Ultima at least year's Cheltenham Festival before finishing seventh, beaten 16L, in this race. Form has tailed off this year though, and he's a pound higher in the handicap. Impossible to rule out for tip-top connections, but much more is required.

Hyland (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) @ 18/1

Nicky Henderson has never won the Grand National, but he looks to have a decent chance this year. Hyland won a Listed contest at Cheltenham back in November and finished second in a Grade 1 at Kempton on Boxing Day, before catching the eye in the Ladbrokes Trophy earlier this year. He's usually a fantastic jumper and should give a good account of himself.

Three Card Brag (Gordon Elliott/Sean Bowen) @ 18/1

Sneaks in off a featherweight. Has enjoyed a progressive campaign in open company this term, finishing behind the Brown Advisory second and third in a Grade 2 at Navan last time out. Must have every chance under a superb pilot despite his preference for softer ground.

Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins) @ 20/1

I suspect he'll struggle to confirm form with Intense Raffles on these terms, but he was pulling clear at the line in the Bobbyjo Chase and could yet have more to offer at just eight years old with as many chase starts in the book. Chance.

Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) @ 20/1

On his second to dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs in the Irish edition back in February, and to a lesser extent his comfortable beating of the ill-fated Corbetts Cross as a novice in 2023, the lightly-raced nine-year-old is very much of interest. However, he's fragile and inconsistent, so doesn't come without risks.

Beauport (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) @ 22/1

Won the Midlands National last March and was emphatic in the Berkshire edition at Ascot eight months later, pulling 31 lengths clear of the field after a brilliant round of jumping. In good form over hurdles recently but this is a fair ask off a career-high mark.

Senior Chief (Henry de Bromhead/Darragh O'Keeffe) @ 22/1

Won a competitive handicap at Cheltenham's October meeting before a poor round of jumping put paid to his chances in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury a month later. Warmed up for this over hurdles in February and he will appreciate conditions. Each-way claims at least.

Minella Indo (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) @ 25/1

Former Gold Cup winner rated 175 at his peak. Getting no better at 12 years old, but he was only beaten eight lengths when third in last year's National and competes off the same mark. Couldn't put anyone off.

Monbeg Genius (Jonjo & A J O'Neill/Nick Scholfield) @ 28/1

Recorded his first win in over two years at Uttoxeter in February and is back on a career-high mark as a result. His third to previous National winner Corach Rambler at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival is high-class form, but he's failed to replicate it since. Hard to advise.

Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls/James Reveley) @ 33/1

Doesn't strike me as a likely stayer over this trip, but if he does this former King George winner and Gold Cup runner-up is interesting off a reduced mark. The suspicion is he's falling out of love with the game, though.

Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) @ 50/1

Typically a Haydock specialist but he's starting to underperform even there. Clear signs of regression at 11 years old and his mark looks seriously inflated. Hard to advise.

Appreciate It (Willie Mullins/Sean O'Keeffe) @ 50/1

Another member of the Mullins batallion. Looked a world-beater after winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival by the length of the straight, but he never really kicked on. Still, he boasts some classy form over fences including his win in the G2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles earlier this year. On a high mark as a result, but he's got a touch of class. Interesting each-way prospect.

Duffle Coat (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) @ 50/1

Sneaks in off bottom weight and was arguably running a career-best before getting brought down at the second last in the National Hunt Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival. Each-way claims on that evidence.

Chantry House (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen) @ 50/1

Bounced back to form, seemingly out of nowhere, on return to chasing at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but has disappointed since. Hard to get excited about the 11-year-old's chances off a mark of 154, to be honest.

Threeunderthrufive (Paul Nicholls/Dan Skelton) @ 50/1

Consistent type who has fared well in competitive handicaps of late and Dan Skelton is an attractive jockey booking, but he's got more to find and is unlikely to be improving at 10. Certainly an each-way prospect, though.

Broadway Boy (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Tom Bellamy) @ 50/1

On jockey bookings, the second-string for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Was still being talked up as a future Gold Cup horse before pulling-up in the Ultima last month and some of his best form is high-class, so he's respected. Each-way claims.

Twig (Ben Pauling/Beau Morgan) @ 50/1

Runner-up to Chianti Classico in the Ultima at last year's Cheltenham Festival and has been mainly running over hurdles since, presumably to protect his handicap mark. Had a spin back over the bigger obstacles at Doncaster last month and has sneaked into the big one. Appeals plenty at big odds.

Horantzau d'Airy (Michael Keady/Ciaran Gethings) @ 50/1

Former Willie Mullins inmate makes his debut for new trainer Michael Keady. Unknown how much improvement he could get out of the eight-year-old which adds interest, but it needs to be substantial if he's to be involved at the business end.

Fil Dor (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) @ 50/1

Boasts some good form over two miles and slightly further, but unexposed over staying trips. That's the risk as far as he's concerned, but his trainer has been quietly confident about his chances in the build-up to the race. Interesting.

Stay Away Fay (Paul Nicholls/Paul O'Brien) @ 66/1

Winner of the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival two years ago and promised plenty as a novice chaser, but after pulling-up in last year's Brown Advisory his form has fallen off a cliff. Needs a revival.

Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott/Jody McGarvey) @ 66/1

Over 30 lengths off I Am Maximus in this last year and has been well-beaten by Stumptown, Vanillier and Nick Rockett already this season. Very hard to advise.

Conflated (Gordon Elliott/JC Gainford) @ 66/1

Just over a length behind Jonbon in the G1 Melling Chase at this meeting last year having finished third in the Ryanair a month prior. Form has fallen off this season, but his effort in the Plate at Cheltenham was his best yet. Chance he's coming back to the boil at the right time and it would be no surprise if he made his presence known.

Idas Boy (Richard Phillip/Harry Bannister) @ 66/1

Even on his best piece of form - victory in the Mullingar Midlands National at Kilbeggan last summer - the 11-year-old has it all to do. Recent efforts have been sub-par and he's hard to advise, frankly.

Hitman (Paul Nicholls/Freddie Gingell) @ 66/1

Hardened nine-year-old hasn't tasted victory since November 2022, but he's performed admirably in defeat, including three seconds this term. If he gets the trip, I can see him outperforming his odds. Couldn't put anyone off an each-way wager.

Celebre d'Allen (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White/Micheal Nolan) @ 80/1

Rank outsider as a 13-year-old needing to defy a career-high mark. That's a big ask, but he acts around here and his latest victory was right up there with his best efforts. I'd rather back him - each-way of course - than many of his rivals at shorter odds.

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