A complete runner-by-runner guide for today's Grand National at Aintree, as well as key betting trends and each-way selections from our experts.
Grand National 2025
It's the day of the 2025 Grand National - the jewel in the crown of the Aintree festival.
As usual, there's so many bookmaker offers available for the race, the headline event on what is set to be a fantastic final day of racing at Aintree.
Below you will find the verdict on each of the final 34 runners from Steve Ryder (weights, age & form guides per runner available here) as well as each-way selections from Road to Cheltenham and Jake Price, who picked the winner in the first two races of the festival.
The deadline for non-runners to be replaced by reserves was 1pm on Friday afternoon - there were none so Harry Redknapp's Shakem Up'arry misses out by one.
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Grand National Runners & Riders
1. I Am Maximus
Won last year’s race with a rating of 159 and will run this time with a mark only 8lb higher. Like last year, he struggled at Leopardstown in Grade 1 races over Christmas and at the Dublin Racing Festival. A respiratory infection meant he missed his prep run in the Bobbyjo Chase, which he won last year.
2. Royale Pagaille
Earned a second Grade 1 Betfair Chase victory this season on soft ground but has faltered since. He’d likely benefit from softer going than what’s forecast for race day.
3. Nick Rockett
Fits several trends for recent winners (age, first-time runner, second-season chaser, under 10 fence starts, won last race, never fallen or unseated) and arrives in fine form. He won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January off a mark of 152, then took the Bobbyjo Chase last time out - a race his stablemate I Am Maximus won the year before claiming this title.
4. Grangeclare West
A nine-year-old with only 11 races under rules. He won a Grade 1 Novice Chase at Leopardstown last season and ran well to finish 2nd behind Galopin Des Champs in this year’s Irish Gold Cup. However, he underperformed, coming last of five in the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan in his latest outing.
5. Hewick
Won the 2023 King George VI Chase at Kempton and was a close 2nd at Down Royal in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase this season in November. His latest win came over hurdles at Thurles on good ground; firmer conditions boost his chances. Gavin Sheehan rides him for the first time since that King George VI Chase success.
6. Minella Indo
A 12-year-old who triumphed in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup and was second the next year. He finished 2nd on his comeback at Punchestown but faltered at Navan, placing 6th and beaten by 25 lengths over hurdles in his most recent run. Rachael Blackmore takes the ride.
7. Appreciate It
An 11-year-old who won the 2021 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He secured his third chase victory last time at Thurles in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, outrunning two higher-rated stablemates with Sean O’Keefe aboard.
8. Minella Cocooner
Took the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last season off a mark of 151 and will race here off a mark just 6lb higher. He was well beaten in Grade 1s in his first three runs this season behind horses like Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs, before finishing 4th, 8¼ lengths behind Nick Rockett, in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time.
9. Conflated
An 11-year-old with two Grade 1 wins in 2022. He managed a solid 8th in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival last time, despite a big mistake at the second-last fence, but faces a stern test off the same mark.
10. Stumptown
This eight-year-old has shone since moving to Cross Country chases and has been unlucky not to win his last five races. He defied a rating of 157 to win by seven lengths at the Cheltenham Festival last time, sporting cheekpieces for the first time, and races here off the same mark. Heavily backed.
11. Hitman
Needs to demonstrate he can stay this distance, having only won up to 2m5½f. He’s been runner-up in all three starts this season and often lacks the final burst you’d want.
12. Beauport
Races in the famous colours of 1983 winner Corbiere and is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, a two-time winner of this race as a trainer. This nine-year-old won the Berkshire National at Ascot by 31 lengths earlier this season and has since placed in two Graded hurdles. Sam Twiston-Davies prefers him over stablemate Broadway Boy.
13. Bravemansgame
Paul Nicholls has secured James Reveley to ride this 2022 King George VI Chase winner. He finished 3rd in the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury last time and should enjoy the unique jumping test.
14. Chantry House
Surprised his team with a 6½-length win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day but was well beaten in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase next time. This 11-year-old has two prior Grade 1 victories, but both owner and trainer appear to have stronger options.
15. Threeunderthrufive
Paul Nicholls has recruited Harry Skelton to ride this 10-year-old, who nearly repeated his Swinley Chase win last time, finishing 2nd to Ascot specialist Victtorino. He thrives on firmer ground and will relish this distinctive jumping challenge.
16. Perceval Legallois
Another popular pick owned by JP McManus, he won over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival after taking the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas. This eight-year-old has never raced outside Ireland but could excel if he adapts to the trip.
17. Kandoo Kid
Harry Cobden’s choice from Paul Nicholls’ five entries. He won the Coral Gold Cup on his return at Newbury in November off a mark of 145 and is now just 7lb higher. His last prep run at Newbury was over an unsuitable distance, and he aims to emulate Many Clouds, who won the Coral Gold Cup (formerly the Hennessy) before this race in 2015.
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18. Iroko
Another strong contender for JP McManus, targeted for this race early this season. This seven-year-old won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 and was 2nd to the eventual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin at Aintree in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase last season. His longest win is over 2m4f, so stamina is a worry, as is his fall at Ascot earlier this season.
19. Intense Raffles
A promising seven-year-old trained by Tom Gibney, he won the Irish Grand National in his final run last season. He struggled in his first two hurdle races this season before finishing 2nd, just ¾ length behind Nick Rockett, in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time. He excels on soft and heavy ground.
20. Senior Chief
Won at Cheltenham in October on his return before finishing 6th in the Coral Gold Cup behind Kandoo Kid. He was mid-field over hurdles last time at Naas but might draw some backing.
21. Idas Boy
Once a top chaser for Gigginstown House Stud and Noel Meade, he showed little promise on his debut for new trainer Richard Phillips at Doncaster.
22. Fil Dor
Bought for €620,000 euros at last year’s Caldwell dispersal sale, he’s only won once since - a match race at Thurles at odds of 1/40. He finished 3rd in the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan last time over 2m4½f and needs to prove he can stay this longer distance.
23. Broadway Boy
Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, this seven-year-old placed behind Senior Chief and Kandoo Kid earlier this season but has disappointed at Cheltenham in his last two runs.
24. Coko Beach
A 10-year-old who has competed in the last three runnings of this race, with his best finish being 8th, beaten by 66 lengths, in 2022. He was 9th in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time and faces another tough task this year.
25. Stay Away Fay
Won the 2023 Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and his first two chase races. With form figures of PPP0, he’s hard to support.
26. Meetingofthewaters
Finished 7th in this race last year off a mark of 147 and will run off a 1lb higher mark this time. He’s struggled in his three starts this season, including a race off a mark of just 112 over hurdles in his second-last outing.
27. Monbeg Genius
Came 3rd behind Corach Rambler in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. He won by five lengths at Uttoxeter last time off a mark of 142 and races here off a 5lb higher mark.
28. Vanillier
Finished 2nd to Corach Rambler in this race in 2023, beaten by just 2 ¼ lengths off a mark of 147, before coming 14th last season off 151. He races off 147 again this year and arrives in better shape. He beat Coko Beach by 18 lengths in first-time blinkers in February and was 3rd behind Stumptown at the Cheltenham Festival, despite nearly veering off course. Well backed through oddschecker this week.
29. Horantzau d’Airy
An eight-year-old previously trained by Willie Mullins, bought for 50,000gns at an online auction, and now with Michael Keady. He’s finished mid-field at Leopardstown in his last two races after two strong runner-up performances earlier this season.
30. Hyland
Won his first two races this season at Cheltenham before finishing behind The Jukebox Man in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He was a beaten favourite when 2nd at Kempton in February in the Ladbrokes Trophy. His best form comes on good ground.
31. Celebre D'Allen
A 13-year-old who has completed the Becher Chase and Topham Chase courses twice and enters this race after a win at Bangor in November.
32. Three Card Brag
Chased home Corbetts Cross, Monty’s Star, and Spillane’s Tower as a novice chaser last season before winning a Beginners Chase at Navan in January. He was 3rd in a Grade 2 Novice Chase at Navan in February behind stablemates Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story, who both placed in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
33. Twig
Finished 2nd in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season off a mark of 143 and races here off a 3lb higher mark. He ran over hurdles in his first three starts this season before finishing 7th in the Grimthorpe Chase last time back over fences.
34. Duffle Coat
Sneaks in at number 34. Was 2nd in the Galway Plate earlier this season and was on track for a placing in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time when brought down at the second-last fence. He could outperform his long odds.
Grand National Betting Trends
These are the key trends to keep in mind when placing your bets on the race:
- 22 of the previous 30 winners were aged between eight and 10 but the previous nine were aged nine or younger.
- 14 of the previous 16 winners were having their first run in the race.
- 14 of the previous 19 winners had won over 3m1f or further
- 16 of the previous 28 winners returned at an SP of 14/1 or less
- Eight of the previous 13 winners had finished 1st or 2nd on their latest start
- Seven of the previous nine winners were second-season chasers
- Six of the previous nine winners had run less than 10 times over fences
- Five of the previous seven winners had won last time out
- Five of the previous seven winners wore a tongue-tie
- None of the previous 10 winners had fallen or unseated more than once, while six had never done.
Grand National 2025 Tips
Each-Way Bets from our Experts
We've got each-way plays from oddschecker experts Road to Cheltenham (see his complete set of selections for Day 3) and Jake Price, whose main outright selection is available on the oddschecker app.
First of all, Jake told us why the Grand National means so much to him. "Coming from a family with zero ties to racing, it was the one day a year where horses running around a field made it onto the TV screen," he said.
"Every year Dad would put £1 each/way on a horse of our choosing, and the bug was truly captured after my pick Comply Or Die collected some decent pocket money in the 2008 renewal.
"17 years on the race is obviously a lot different, and plenty of folk will be quick to let you know that – but it is still a yearly tradition that gathers my family around the TV screen.
"With more eyes of course come critics, but equally it is our best opportunity to recruit desperately needed new fans."
Jake Price Advised Bet: GRANGECLARE WEST 0.5pts EW (6 Places) @ 25/1
At a nice each/way price, I think that one horse very much being overlooked is GRANGECLARE WEST for Willie Mullins. Always riddled with talent, he easily won on his first start over fences last season (beating Heart Wood) before then landing the 3m Grade 1 Novice Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas of 2023 – readily seeing off Corbetts Cross by an eased 6 lengths.
Unfortunately his Grade 1 Novice campaign was cut short as he was cast in his box en route to the Dublin Racing Festival, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season.
Since his return from injury connections have been slowly building him back up, and after two runs in Grade 1 Chases with increasing promise, he ran an absolute screamer in the Irish Gold Cup – staying on very strongly for 2nd behind Galopin Des Champs, ahead of Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin, with Hewick eight lengths behind.
I certainly cannot rule out Hewick in the Grand National considering he has optimum conditions, but Grangeclare West is only 1lb worse off for that run and he has himself shown he is more than capable of performing well on decent ground during his career to date.
He stays strongly, jumps well, and has that bit of class about him. I think the National will provide him with an ideal test, and you can completely put a line through his latest effort 35 days ago as that run over 2m4f was purely to qualify for this race.
Road to Cheltenham Advised Bet: MINELLA COCOONER 1pt E/W (6 Places) @ 16/1
The jockey booking of Jonathan Burke for Willie Mullins' MINELLA COCOONER raised a few eyebrows but he’s a brilliant rider and this horse is a thorough stayer, he’ll relish the 4m2f trip.
He was third in the Irish Grand National last season before winning the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April and he remains unexposed over those mammoth trips. If he is bang in contention approaching the closing stages of the race, I expect him to feature in the shake-up and he will relish the good ground.
