With 34 Grand National runners now confirmed, let's take a look at the horses punters are backing to win.
With the full lineup for the 2025 Grand National confirmed and the race just around the corner, bettors have been busy placing their wagers, hoping to pick the winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Among the 34 declared runners, five horses have stood out as the most backed through oddschecker, attracting significant interest from punters.
However, one notable omission from the list is last year's winner, I Am Maximus, who is the 9/1 fourth favourite this year.
Below is a closer look at who the punters have been backing in the last week (% of win bets through oddschecker) and what makes them so appealing ahead of the big race at Aintree on April 5th.
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1. Hewick (15% of Bets Placed)
Hewick is a best price of 12/1 with various bookmakers, add him to your betslip here.
Topping the list is Hewick, the remarkable bargain-buy trained by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon. Purchased for just £800, this 10-year-old gelding has proven himself at the highest level, with standout victories including the 2023 King George VI Chase at Kempton.
That performance, where he came from the back and surged past Bravemansgame and Allaho, showcased his stamina, class, and ability to handle a tough field—traits essential for success in the Grand National.
Hewick’s most recent outing, a win in the Jimmy Neville Memorial Hurdle at Thurles, has kept him in top form, but his task at Aintree won’t be easy.
Carrying 11st 7lb, he faces a weight challenge that only a select few have overcome in Grand National history. Historically, top-weighted horses face a tough task—only Red Rum (1974), Many Clouds (2015) and two others have won carrying 11st 7lb or more since the 1950s.
However, Hewick’s current handicap mark of 162 is slightly lower than his peak, giving him a workable burden compared to last year’s winner, I Am Maximus, who now shoulders 11st 12lb.
His connections have deliberately skipped Cheltenham to keep him fresh, a move that could pay dividends. If the ground stays on the quicker side, Hewick has the credentials to justify his popularity.
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2. Stumptown (10%)
Stumptown is a best price of 8/1 with various bookmakers, add him to your betslip here.
Gavin Cromwell’s Stumptown has captured the imagination of punters, thanks to a four-race winning streak, culminating in a commanding seven-length victory in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham Festival recently.
This route to Aintree mirrors that of the great Tiger Roll, who used the Cross-Country Chase as a springboard to back-to-back Grand National triumphs.
Stumptown’s ability to handle unconventional courses and grueling distances makes him a fascinating contender.
He carries a manageable 11st 2lb, and with Keith Donoghue—who has guided him through all four of his recent wins—set to be in the saddle, there is strong confidence that he can make a big impact over Aintree’s 30 fences.
He’s relatively unexposed over fences compared to some rivals, with only seven chase starts, and at 8 years old, he fits the sweet spot for Grand National winners—22 of the last 30 were aged 8 to 10.
His Irish pedigree also aligns with recent trends, as Irish-trained horses have dominated, winning the last six renewals.
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3. Intense Raffles (7.5%)
The youngest horse in this group at just seven years old, Intense Raffles has been a rapid riser in the betting markets.
Trained by Peter Fahey, he has racked up a hat-trick of wins over fences, including an eye-catching success in the Guinness Kerry National where he beat solid yardsticks like Flooring Porter by a neck in a 16-runner field.
While Noble Yeats (2022) was the first seven-year-old winner since Bogskar in 1940, his maturity and battling qualities make him an exciting prospect.
With a handicap mark of 155, he’ll carry 11st, a weight he has handled well in previous outings.
Connections have opted to bypass Cheltenham to keep him fresh, and with Daryl Jacob—an Aintree-winning jockey—on board, Intense Raffles has all the tools to make a big statement despite his relative inexperience.
4. Vanillier (6.6%)
Vanillier is a best price of 12/1 with various bookmakers, add him to your betslip here.
A proven performer over the National fences, Vanillier finished second in 2023's Grand National, staying on strongly to chase home Corach Rambler despite a mistake at the last.
That experience makes him a hugely attractive option for bettors who favour past form over the Aintree marathon.
This season, he’s been lightly raced, with a crucial win in the Bobbyjo Chase boosting his confidence ahead of the Grand National.
He’ll carry 11st 1lb, his highest weight yet in the Grand National. But with stamina assured and Aintree form in the bank, it’s easy to see why punters continue to back Vanillier for another strong showing.
5. Kandoo Kid (5.2%)
Kandoo Kid is a best price of 25/1 with William Hill, add him to your betslip here.
Paul Nicholls’ Kandoo Kid rounds out the top five most-backed horses for the 2025 Grand National.
His standout performance recently was a victory in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, where he demonstrated his ability to handle a big-field handicap, beating Broadway Boy by a length.
Despite a quiet preparation, you can look back to his third-place finish in the Topham Chase over Aintree’s National fences last year, which suggests he can handle the unique demands of this race.
Carrying 10st 11lb, he is well-handicapped compared to some of his rivals, and Nicholls’ careful planning could see him peak at the right time.
For a full run-down on the latest runners in this year's Grand National with real time updates, head to our Grand National Runners page here.
