Grand National Favourites: Iroko bids to make history for JP McManus
The Grand National is only two days away (Saturday, 16:00) and the eyes of the world will be fixated on Aintree for the biggest race in the sport. In the UK, it serves as the one race in the calendar in which the country will shut down as for 10-12 minutes, everyone's attention is on this racecourse.
To help with the build-up, I've taken a look at the current Grand National favourites, to see who the bookies are leaning towards.
Grand National 2025 Odds
- Iroko @ 8/1
- Stumptown @ 8/1
- Hewick @ 10/1
- Vanillier @ 10/1
- I Am Maximus @ 10/1
- Intense Raffles @ 10/1
- Bar 12/1
Odds correct at the time of publishing
Iroko @ 8/1
JP McManus has had a stellar career as a racehorse owner and he has already had three winners in the world's most famous race, the Grand National. They were: Don't Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021) and I Am Maximus (2024).
Three is the joint-record for Grand National wins as an owner, and McManus could be set to make history at Aintree this year if one of his entries passes the winning post first. I Am Maximus returns to L9 but it is Iroko who the bookies have pegged as McManus' best bet on Saturday.
The seven-year-old ran a huge race at Aintree last year, beaten by Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin. Iroko was a Festival winner in 2023 but this season has all been about getting him ready for the Grand National.
He's maintained his handicap mark and he remains an unexposed chaser that's open to improvement. He is conditioned to stay well so he is perceived to have a strong chance for McManus and trainers Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero.
Iroko is going to be ridden by Jonjo O'Neill Jr, whose stock has risen following his 100/1 winning ride on Poniros at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Check out Betfred's exclusive interview with the jockey below.
Stumptown @ 8/1
Iroko's closest rival is deemed to be Stumptown, trained by Gavin Cromwell. The eight-year-old is a progressive performer who has had a seamless transition from handicap to cross country/bank chases.
He has won on his last four starts, which included an impressive run at the Cheltenham Festival to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase by seven lengths in his latest appearance.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Hewick @ 10/1
Next up is Hewick, who has built an impressive CV over the course of his career. This includes the US Grand National in 2022, after which his trainer John Hanlon took him to his local pub for a Guinness.
Some of his other notable triumphs include the Sandown Gold Cup, Galway Plate, American Grand National, and King George VI Chase at Kempton. The 10-year-old heads to Aintree off the back of an impressive conditions hurdle victory at Thurles in March.
Hewick has an excellent engine on him, so stamina should not be a problem for him over this four-mile circuit.
Vanillier @ 10/1
Vanillier and connections will be hoping that it will be third time lucky in the Grand National after missing out in the last two years. The 10-year-old was narrowly beaten by Corach Rambler in 2023 but fell well below expectations in 2024.
Connections are confident of his chances this time around since switching him to cross country races and the application of blinkers. He may have finished third on his last outing at the Cheltenham Festival in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, but he made up loads of ground following a jockey error early on.
I Am Maximus @ 10/1
Last year's champion may not be the bookies' favourite but he is still being favoured to go back-to-back in the Grand National, which hasn't been accomplished since Tiger Roll in 2019.
Willie Mullins' gelding is 8lb higher than he was a year ago but he did catch the eye on his latest outing in the Irish Gold Cup in February. He was well beaten, though, so it looks like it is going to require his strongest ride ever to defend his crown.
Intense Raffles @ 10/1
Intense Raffles is another runner whose sole focus this season has been on the National. The seven-year-old remains unexposed over fences but he did win the Irish Grand National last year - and his jumping was most impressive.
That can go a long way in this spectacle and he has looked sharp in the build-up to Aintree with a second-place finish at Fairyhouse in February. Connections are hopeful of his chances and he looks like one who will receive plenty of backing from punters.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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