MEGAN NICHOLLS RACING TIPS – 2025 GRAND NATIONAL PREVIEW
GRAND NATIONAL RACING TIPS
For the latest odds, specials and profiles on the 4pm showpiece and beyond visit BetMGM’s dedicated 2025 Grand National page.
Read on for a bumper Grand National preview where Meg Nicholls profiles all 34 runners and riders competing in this year’s big race as well as picking out her each-way selections.
And don’t forget: BetMGM is paying six places on each-way bets on the 2025 Grand National!
2025 Grand National: Key Details
- When: 4pm, Saturday April 5th 2025
- Where: Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside
- Number of horses running: There are 34 entrants for the Grand National
- Number of fences: The runners and riders must tackle 16 fences, with 14 of those jumped twice along the 4m 2½f course
- How to watch: The race will be broadcast on ITV, Racing TV and online via ITVX while you can keep up to date with all the action, reaction, talking points and odds with us via X
1. I Am Maximus (17/2)
Jockey: Paul Townend. Trainer: W P Mullins
A very impressive winner of the race last year and, while he’s eight pounds higher this time around meaning he carries top weight, I don’t think he’s been as harshly punished as he could have been. He would have won off this weight last year, so he has to be greatly respected with this race clearly the plan all season.
2. Royal Pagaille (80/1)
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch. Trainer: Venetia Williams
He’s an old legend and always runs well, although the ground at Aintree will likely be too quick to see him at his best. He hasn’t jumped as well as we know he can at times this season and that’s a concern too.
3. Nick Rockett (22/1)
Jockey: Patrick Mullins. Trainer: Willie Mullins
Nick Rockett has been absolutely flying this season and he’s proved he stays well. He was beaten in the Gold Cup at Sandown last season, where he stayed on in quite eye-catching form. He’s been in top form this season and I’d say he’s Willie Mullins’ best hope behind I Am Maximus. A horse with a very solid chance on ground he’ll really enjoy.
4. Grangeclare West (18/1)
Jockey: Brian Hayes. Trainer: Willie Mullins
A horse that has been a bit in and out this year, with his best run coming behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival. His run at Navan last time was over a trip far too short – so you can ignore that – however he’s still got plenty to prove. Not one I’m massively interested in.
5. Hewick (17/2)
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan. Trainer: J J Hanlon
Hewick will love the ground. He’s only small but has a big heart and will stay the marathon trip. He’ll likely be ridden towards the rear to pick them off. I can see him going very well. He comes into this after a nice victory over hurdles at Thurles, so he’s certainly one for the shortlist.
6. Minella Indo (22/1)
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore. Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
He was third in the race last year and has had a quiet time of things since, with another go at this clearly the main aim. He was, of course, a Gold Cup winner a few years ago so has the class for this. We know he has plenty of stamina and his run over hurdles last time was very much a pipe opener for this, but it’s hard to say he’s progressing. He might just be susceptible to a few younger rivals, although he could easily run another big race.
7. Appreciate It (50/1)
Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe. Trainer: W P Mullins
He impressed at Thurles last time, where he beat a couple of his stablemates over 2m 5f. He’s another horse who has a bit of questionable profile but he does have some high-class form, including when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. You don’t get many Supreme winners taking out the Grand National – stamina has to be a big worry for Appreciate It.
8. Minella Cocooner (12/1)
Jockey: Jonathan Burke. Trainer: W P Mullins
Minella Cocooner’s form ties in with Nick Rockett’s, although he hasn’t been in the form that saw him win the big handicap at Sandown at the backend of last season. He’s been outclassed by Galopin Des Champs a couple of times this year but he does seem to come alive in the spring and wouldn’t be without a chance. I would worry the handicapper does have a bit of a grip on him now.
9. Conflated (50/1)
Jockey: Jordan Gainford. Trainer: Gordon Elliott
He’s yet to run over the big fences but has gone over the cross-country fences back in November. He ran pretty well for a long way in the Plate at Cheltenham before he made a shuddering mistake which cost him any chance. He seemed to enjoy being ridden positively and he did serve it up to Jonbon in the Melling Chase at Aintree last year. He’s still got ability, although I’m very worried about him staying the trip.
10. Stumptown (7/1)
Jockey: Keith Donoghue. Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Stumptown has been the story of the cross-country season really. He’s taken to that discipline incredibly well and was victorious at Cheltenham, where he looked like he needed every yard of the trip. He’s more relaxed now, is travelling in his races better and might still have a few pounds up his sleeve. It’s pretty clear why he’s one of the leading contenders.
11. Hitman (80/1)
Jockey: Freddie Gingell. Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Hitman seems to love finishing second, having done so in his last three outings. He’s talented on his day and does go well at Aintree – but stamina would have to be a query.
12. Beauport (20/1)
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Beauport is an interesting contender. He’s been running over hurdles but has plenty of solid form in staying chases, including when winning last season’s Midlands National. Connections have campaigned him nicely for a tilt at the Grand National and I could see him going really well. He’s certainly one I’ve got on my shortlist.
13. Bravemansgame (33/1)
Jockey: James Reveley. Trainer: Paul Nicholls
I’m not sure Bravemansgame quite has the heart for it anymore. He hasn’t been at his best for a while and I don’t think that’s because of a lack of ability, but more his attitude. He looks to be holding a bit back and I don’t think the rigours of the Grand National are going to suit him.
14. Chantry House (50/1)
Jockey: James Bowen. Trainer: Nicky Henderson
He’s one of a good few in here for JP McManus. He’s quite hard to get a good grasp on because he’s a bit of a character. He can throw in a stinker but he showed on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham that, when he’s on a going day, he’s a very decent horse. He could love the test of the National but, equally, he could not go a yard. He’s not reliable enough to fully support.
15. Threeunderthrufive (50/1)
Jockey: Harry Skelton. Trainer: Paul Nicholls
He’s a big each-way price, in my opinion. Harry Skelton looks an excellent jockey booking and he looks nicely weighted as he usually has to carry top-weight in these big handicaps. He stays very well and his run last time at Ascot was a nice prep for the National. He’ll go off a big price and I think he might have been a touch overlooked.
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16. Perceval Legallois (10/1)
Jockey: Mark Walsh. Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
He’s got to have a good chance for Gavin Cromwell. He’s won big field handicaps over fences and hurdles recently and stepping up to three miles has really helped him. It’s hard to know how much progression there is left to come but there’s every chance we might not have seen the best of him yet. If that’s the case, he ought to go very well.
17. Kandoo Kid (16/1)
Jockey: Harry Cobden. Trainer: Paul Nicholls
He probably looks the best of the Nicholls squad. He won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury during the winter and will enjoy this sort of test. He was given a prep for this at Newbury over a trip that was too short. While this marathon trip is an unknown, he looks to have plenty of stamina. It’s no bad thing he’s already had a go over the big National fences having run in the Topham last year. I can see why Harry Cobden has picked him.
18. Iroko (15/2)
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
There’s been plenty of talk about this horse and he’s been well-backed in the build-up. I can see the case but I’ve got major question marks about his stamina and he looks a speedier type than many give him credit for. I just wonder if he might get outstayed while he also doesn’t have that much experience in these big field handicaps over fences which is a bit of a concern.
19. Intense Raffles (9/1)
Jockey: JJ Slevin. Trainer: Thomas Gibney
Intense Raffles has been very well supported, particularly since Inothewayurthinkin was taken out of the race. He warmed up for this with a good run behind Nick Rockett at Fairyhouse and we know he has the stamina for this, having won last season’s Irish National. I can see why he’s been well backed and I know connections are very hopeful he’ll go close.
20. Senior Chief (20/1)
Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe. Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Senior Chief seems to go on all sorts of ground. He won at Cheltenham’s October Meeting before subsequently running well in sixth behind Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. He likes to be ridden forward and looks like a horse that wants a bit of space, which is very hard to get in the Grand National. I just wonder that, if he gets crowded, he might sulk a bit and not give his true running.
21. Idas Boy (80/1)
Jockey: Harry Bannister. Trainer: Richard Phillips
A recent recruit to Richard Phillips’ team, having previously been trained by Noel Meade, he was well beaten at Doncaster on his stable debut. His jumping can be a bit iffy so he’ll need to improve massively from Doncaster to feature here.
22. Fil Dor (66/1)
Jockey: Sam Ewing. Trainer: Gordon Elliott
He was a very expensive purchase in the dispersal sale so connections will be hoping to get some of that back here! He goes on all grounds and isn’t a horse that’s shy of pace but I’d question his stamina as his best form has come over intermediate distances.
23. Broadway Boy (50/1)
Jockey: Tom Bellamy. Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
What a star he’s been for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He goes particularly well at Cheltenham, although he was disappointing in the Ultima last time as he just didn’t jump well enough. He’ll need to jump much better over the big fences to feature here.
24. Coko Beach (66/1)
Jockey: Jody McGarvey. Trainer: Gordon Elliott
He’s an extremely strong stayer and actually didn’t run too badly when finishing in last year’s Grand National. His form this season hasn’t been great. I can’t really see him being a contender.
25. Stay Away Fay (66/1)
Jockey: Paul O’Brien. Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Stay Away Fay is a Grade One winner over hurdles and took well to chasing as a novice but has lost his way since. He was never really involved in the Ultima last time and will need to get into a rhythm here to prove that not all ability has gone.
26. Meetingofthewaters (16/1)
Jockey: Danny Mullins. Trainer: W P Mullins
He was far from disgraced in this last year when seventh having been a bit of a talking horse before it. His form this season hasn’t been anything to write home about but he’s run in races over distances that are too short for him. The greater stamina test here will suit although he’d probably like the ground a bit softer.
27. Monbeg Genius (28/1)
Jockey: Nick Scholfield. Trainer: Jonjo & A J O’Neill
I’ve seen Nick Scholfield talk up Monbeg Genius’ chances and he believes he’s the ideal type for the race. He comes into this on the back of a pretty impressive win at Uttoxeter and ran a cracker when fourth in the Welsh National the time before. He’ll definitely stay and has a good level of form in big-field handicaps. I’m not sure he’s quite got the class for this race but I can see him running well nevertheless.
28. Vanillier (9/1)
Jockey: Sean Flanagan. Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
The blinkers looked to have really helped Vanillier, having won at Punchestown and then running a great race when third behind stablemate Stumptown in the Cross Country at Cheltenham. It was a performance that can be upgraded, given he nearly went the wrong route, and he was a great second in the race a couple of years ago. He should go well but I can’t see him reversing the form with Stumptown.
29. Horantzau d’Airy (80/1)
Jockey: Ciaran Gethings. Trainer: Michael Keady
This is his stable debut for Michael Keady having previously been with Willie Mullins. He’s been well beaten in big handicaps this year and, while he’ll enjoy the ground, he looks well up against it.
30. Hyland (16/1)
Jockey: Nico de Boinville. Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Hyland is a very consistent horse who will love the ground. He lacks a little bit of experience over fences but he has taken to the bigger obstacles really well. I don’t have too many worries about stamina, it’s just whether he has the class for this race that is the big question mark.
31. Celebre d’Allen (100/1)
Jockey: Micheal Nolan. Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
He bolted up at Bangor on his only start of the season back in November and has been over the big fences a couple of times, which is never a bad thing. He’s been placed in both the Topham and Becher over shorter distances so has enjoyed the challenge the National fences represent. He’s stepping into unknown territory in terms of the trip and, while he does go fresh, he might just lack a little bit of class versus some of his rivals.
32. Three Card Brag (18/1)
Jockey: Sean Bowen. Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Three Card Brag has managed to sneak in at the bottom of the weights. He’s very consistent and, while he hasn’t tried an extended trip, connections feel he might actually improve for it. He does need to put up a career-best performance to feature but he ran well at Leopardstown over Christmas. If he can reproduce that, he wouldn’t be totally out of it.
33. Twig (50/1)
Jockey: Beau Morgan. Trainer: Ben Pauling
Twig has been a total legend for his connections and before this season he seemed to virtually never run a bad race. He hasn’t been at his best this season, though, and that has to be a concern.
34. Duffle Coat (50/1)
Jockey: Danny Gilligan. Trainer: Gordon Elliott
He was brought down when last seen in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Connections clearly thought he’d stay the trip there so they must have hopes he’ll be OK over the marathon distance here. He was actually running a big race at Cheltenham when he was brought down. That gives some ground for optimism but it’s hard to say if he’s got much wiggle room off his current mark.
All odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation