The final countdown to 4pm on Saturday (5 April) when 34 Randox Grand National runners will line up for the 177th running of world’s greatest steeplechase is now on. It’s expected the peak global television audience will reach some 600,000,000, and we have a guide on how to watch the Grand National for those tuning in.
The question we’re all asking right now is “Who will win the Grand National?” Well, with history showing that anything can happen in this world famous race, from fairy tales to mayhem, the answer is hard to find, but in addition to checking out the form of every runner below, we also have some expert Grand National tips for you to consider. And if you fancy some free fun with work colleagues or friends, then make sure you download our Grand National sweepstake kit too.
This quality field of chasing stars have been primed to tackle the marathon trip of four miles, two furlongs and 74yards round two circuits of Aintree racecourse, which features 30 legendary fences including Becher’s Brook, The Chair and The Canal Turn.
So whether you’ve been studying the form for months, or you’re simply ready pick a horse with a catchy name, or because you love a grey, here is our complete form guide to help you choose which horse to cheer home from this year’s £1m Randox Grand National runners.
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Grand National runners and riders 2025
1. I Am Maximus
9yo bay gelding by Authorized
Weight: 11st 12lb
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Owner: JP McManus
Jockey: Paul Townend
Form: 311-P8
Won this race 12 months ago, but back-to-back winners are rare. Last year he arrived at Aintree in prime form after victory in a trial for the National, but in two races this season he has pulled up and finished eighth. Dig deeper and those efforts are not too shabby, but he now carries top weight and 6lb more than in 2024.
2. Royale Pagaille
11yo bay gelding by Blue Bresil
Weight: 11st 9lb
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Owner: Susannah Ricci
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Form: F-1P66
Quality performer. Won Haydock’s Grade One Betfair Chase for the second time in November. Has been well beaten in three races since, but faced a tough task when sixth (beaten 42 lengths) in Cheltenham’s Gold Cup. Probably needs soft ground to show his best and he carries plenty of weight in this test.
3. Nick Rockett
8yo bay gelding by Walk In The Park
Weight: 11st 8lb
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Owner: Stewart & Sadie Andrew
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
Form: 273-411
Heads to Aintree in bright form after two dogged victories this year. Success in the Thyestes Chase and Bobbyjo Chase were excellent trials, but he faces a tough job to repeat his narrow win over Intense Raffles in the latter. That runner-up is now 15lb better off for a defeat of just three-quarters of a length.
4. Grangeclare West
9yo bay gelding by Presenting
Weight: 11st 8lb
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Owner: Cheveley Park Stud
Jockey: Brian Hayes
Form: 11-P625
Won an Irish point-to-point in November 2020 and then sold to his current owners for £430,000. Has yet to win this season, but second in the Irish Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs, with subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup and Ryanair Chase winners behind. Stamina an unknown, but an interesting candidate.
5. Hewick
10yo bay gelding by Virtual
Weight: 11st 7lb
Trainer: Shark Hanlon
Owner: TJ McDonald
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Form: 232571
Bought unraced by his trainer for €850 at a sport horse auction, but that looked expensive after he unseated and fell twice in three point-to-points. Has now won £750,000 in prize money, the biggest pot coming from victory in Kempton’s King George VI Chase in 2023. Recent hurdle race win will have put him spot on for Saturday.
6. Minella Indo
12yo bay gelding by Beat Hollow
Weight: 11st 3lb
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Owner: Barry Maloney
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Form: 1443-26
One of two Minellas in this year’s race (the other being Cocooner), each bought, educated and raced by Tipperary hotelier John Nallen before being resold. Winner of 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup and third in last year’s National. It is 21 years since a 12-year-old won the National but Minella Indo is no senior citizen.
7. Appreciate It
11yo bay gelding by Jeremy
Weight: 11st 2lb
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Owner: MA Masterson
Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
Form: 2-5351
High potential as a novice, won at the Cheltenham Festival four years ago. An injury spoilt what might have been a great career and wins have become scarce. Landed a Grade Two chase in Ireland in January, appearing to relish unseasonally good ground, which he might find at Aintree. Predominantly raced at sub-3m trips, so 4m 2f is an unknown.
8. Minella Cocooner
9yo bay gelding by Flemensfirth
Weight: 11st 2lb
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Owner: David Bobbett
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Form: 1-5894
Third in last year’s Irish Grand National (won by Intense Raffles), then landed Sandown’s bet365 Gold Cup. Had no chance in three midwinter Grade One races against top-class rivals, but fourth to Nick Rockett in a National trial at Fairyhouse in February. Not fallen in 16 races and worth adding to shortlists.
9. Conflated
11yo bay gelding by Yeats
Weight: 11st 2lb
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Jockey: Jordan Gainford
Form: 6U58708
Has fought against the best and won his share of battles, but has raced 15 times since most recent victory in December 2022. Takes his owners to all the big stages and ran OK when eighth of 20 in a handicap chase at Cheltenham Festival. Also ran a corker when a close second to Jonbon at this meeting last year, but remains an unlikely winner on Saturday.
10. Stumptown
8yo brown gelding by Laverock
Weight: 11st 2lb
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Owner: Furze Bush Syndicate
Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Form: 3-U1111
Found it hard to win till switched to “obstacle” races. Has since won twice over Punchestown’s banks course and twice around Cheltenham’s cross-country track. Recently landed the spoils at the Festival under top weight. Distance should be no problem, has not fallen in 24 races and is the right age. A strong candidate.
11. Hitman
9yo bay gelding by Falco
Weight: 11st 1lb
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Owner: Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson and Done
Jockey: Freddie Gingell
Form: 83-222
Consistent, has suffered from seconditis on each of three starts this season. No doubt his owners would be delighted with another second on Saturday. Ran a fine race when runner-up at Newbury on his latest start. This trip will stretch his stamina – could be dangerous for three miles plus, but likely to run out of bullets.
12. Beauport
9yo bay gelding by Califet
Weight: 11st 1lb
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Owner: Bryan & Philippa Burrough
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Form: P1P-132
Trainer’s handling of this horse suggests he believes he has a strong candidate. Won last season’s Midlands National over 4m 2f, and hacked up in long-distance chase at Ascot in November. Two outings in hurdle races since will have kept him ticking over. Not to be dismissed.
13. Bravemansgame
10yo bay gelding by Brave Mansonnien
Weight: 11st
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Owner: Bryan Drew
Jockey: James Reveley
Form: 56-2383
Soared to the top of jump racing when landing the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day 2022, but has been beaten in 11 races since, albeit while largely tackling top-grade races. The regression appears slightly more acute this season, but the handicapper has been reducing his rating and with 11st on his back he is not overburdened. Stamina a query.
14. Chantry House
11yo brown gelding by Yeats
Weight: 10st 13lb
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Owner: JP McManus
Jockey: James Bowen
Form: 9-5515
Looked to be heading for the top as a novice in his first seasons of hurdling and chasing. Won back-to-back Grade One races at Cheltenham and Aintree in 2021, found winning tougher since. A spell of hurdling failed to result in a win, and after landing a chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day he misfired there a month later.
15. Threeunderthrufive
10yo bay gelding by Shantou
Weight: 10st 12lb
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Owner: McNeill family
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Form: 2210-32
Invariably in the money. Beaten by the outline of a rival’s nostril when second in February at Ascot. His trainer has been teeing him up for the National this season so likely to be cherry ripe on Saturday. Fourth in the Scottish National over four miles two years ago. If rain stays away he won’t mind good ground.
16. Perceval Legallois
8yo bay gelding by Ballingarry
Weight: 10st 12lb
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Owner: JP McManus
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Form: F-286411
An all-Irish trio that teamed up to win the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin. The horse’s name translates as Perceval The Welshman. Races on English soil for the first time. Arrives in form after two chase victories involving a combined 52 runners. The ability to jump well in a crowd will work in his favour.
17. Kandoo Kid
9yo grey gelding by Kapgarde
Weight: 10st 11lb
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Owner: Michael Geoghegan
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Form: 2P23-18
The most recent of three greys to win the National was Neptune Collonges (2012) who came from this horse’s stable. Won Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup in November but beaten next time out over a shorter trip. Completed in all but one of 15 races and never fallen. Stamina a concern but has a willing attitude.
18. Iroko
7yo bay geldng by Cokoriko
Weight: 10st 11lb
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Owner: JP McManus
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Form: 52-2F42
A young horse but the National was won three years ago by a seven-year-old (Noble Yeats). Has not won for 18 months, but second at Aintree last season behind Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin. Not run in a race this length, but his trainers believe he will relish it.
19. Intense Raffles
7yo grey gelding by Martaline
Weight: 10st 10lb
Trainer: Tom Gibney
Owner: Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
Jockey: JJ Slevin
Form: 11-902
Not many greys or seven-year-olds have won the National yet this horse could start favourite. Has been geared towards Aintree since landing last season’s Irish Grand National, and a second to Nick Rockett at Fairyhouse in February (should now defeat the winner given weights) marked him out as a National type.
20. Senior Chief
8yo bay gelding by Gentlewave
Weight: 10st 10lb
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Owner: Lucky In Life Syndicate
Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
Form: 1P-169
Looked to lack stamina when pulled up in last year’s Irish National (albeit was hampered by a faller when starting to wilt), but over shorter trips has opened this season with a win at Cheltenham and good effort behind Kandoo Kid at Newbury. Subsequently given a ticking-over run in a hurdle race. Short of experience but not fallen in 14 races.
21. Idas Boy
11yo chestnut gelding by Dubai Destination
Weight: 10st 10lb
Trainer: Richard Phillips
Owner: Dozen Dreamers
Jockey: Harry Bannister
Form: F03106
Bought in an online sale in August for 60,000gns, this horse bids to fulfil a dream for his owners, but he is a big price to do so. Had smart form for his former stable. Best to ignore latest effort at Doncaster when warming up for the National in a hurdle race. Those named Ida advised to keep their bets small and each-way.
22. Fil Dor
7yo grey gelding by Doctor Dino
Weight: 10st 9lb
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Owner: Robcour
Jockey: Danny Gilligan
Form: P212433
Sold for €620,000 (£517,000) at a dispersal of his former owners’ stock 14 months ago but stayed in Gordon Elliott’s stable. Victory would recoup much of that outlay, but while consistently in the money he has yet to show in public anything that suggests he is a National winner. Still young and a sound jumper, but doubts on stamina and ability.
23. Broadway Boy
7yo bay gelding by Malinas
Weight: 10st 9lb
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Owner: DM Proos
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
Form: 5-324P
Sent off favourite for Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup in November when second to Kandoo Kid, beaten just under two lengths. Now 5lb better off in the weights with that rival, and is young enough to improve, but has produced two poor runs since. Yet to try a race of this distance – might be one for next year.
24. Coko Beach
10yo grey gelding by Cokoriko
Weight: 10st 9lb
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Jockey: TBC
Form: 3U50029
Carried 11st 8lb in last year’s National when finishing 11th, beaten 33 lengths by winner but now carries 13lb less. In seven subsequent races has been well beaten, most recently when ninth behind Stumptown in the Festival’s cross-country chase. A fun horse who has paid his way, but an unlikely hero on Saturday.
25. Stay Away Fay
8yo bay gelding by Shantou
Weight: 10st 9lb
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Owner: Bell, Lyons, Hill
Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Form: 3PP-P0
After a hugely promising period as a novice hurdler, during which he won at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023, this horse’s career has wandered into the wilderness. Pulled up in last year’s Scottish National after which a respiratory problem was diagnosed, but following surgery has shown nothing special since.
26. Meetingofthewaters
8yo bay gelding by Court Cave
Weight: 10st 7lb
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Owner: JP McManus
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Form: 37-008
Won £20,000 when seventh in last year’s National, beaten 16 lengths by winner. A mistake at the final ditch did not help and he ran out of gas on the run-in. Only seven at the time and 12 months on might be better suited to the job. Well beaten three times this season, but handy weight, top stable and a horse for shortlists.
27. Monbeg Genius
9yo bay gelding by Shantou
Weight: 10st 6lb
Trainer: Jonjo and AJ O’Neill
Owner: Martin Tedham & Wasdell Ltd
Jockey: Nick Scholfield
Form: 5P-241
If successful, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill would be the first father-and-son team to train the Grand National winner. Yet to prove he is an ultramarathon runner, but fourth under 11st 10lb in Welsh Grand National implies he possesses stamina. Never fallen and there is some tasty form on his CV.
28. Vanillier
10yo grey gelding by Martaline
Weight: 10st 6lb
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Owner: Helen Keaveney
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Form: 0-P6913
By running in banks and cross-country chases this horse is a regular at big race meetings, but has also tackled two Grand Nationals, finishing second two years ago and 14th last season. Run 27 times and fallen once. Recent third at the Cheltenham Festival (beaten eight lengths by winner Stumptown) suggests he still enjoys the job.
29. Horantzau D’Airy
8yo bay gelding by Legolas
Weight: 10st 6lb
Trainer: Michael Keady
Owner: Jim Gill
Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
Form: F22999
First start for current owner and trainer after being bought for 50,000gns in an online sale last month. Improving or maintaining a horse’s form after it has left Willie Mullins’ yard is no easy task, but has run some fine races in the past. With serious stamina doubts, probably best overlooked.
30. Hyland
8yo grey gelding by Turgeon
Weight: 10st 6lb
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Owner: The Ten From Seven
Jockey: Nico De Boinville
Form: 2-141122
Switched from hurdles to fences last summer and has achieved a good win-to-run ratio. Has also finished second twice, but on each occasion against a smart rival. Lacks experience and there have been errors in his jumping, which will come under pressure here. Trainer knows his stuff, but Hyland is not an obvious winner.
31. Celebre D’Allen
13yo chestnut gelding by Network
Weight: 10st 6lb
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
Owner: Allan Stennett
Jockey: Micheal Nolan
Form: 145U4-1
Will be the old man of the party if making the line-up. Also holds an entry in Friday’s Topham Chase, in which he finished fourth last year. Not seen in public since November when he won a handicap chase at Bangor-on-Dee, but has run well fresh in the past. Absence not a cause for concern, but stamina might be.
32. Three Card Brag
8yo bay gelding by Jet Away
Weight: 10st 5lb
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Owner: Patrick & Scott Bryceland, McNeill Family
Jockey: Sean Bowen
Form: 33713
A novice who has run just six times over fences. Scored at Navan in January, then returned to that track the following month and put up another good show when third. The two who finished ahead of him were placed at the Cheltenham Festival. Lack of experience a concern.
33. Twig
10yo bay gelding by Sulamani
Weight: 10st 5lb
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Owner: Georgia Morgan
Jockey: Beau Morgan
Form: 025-2P77
Won plenty on Britain’s point-to-point circuit, scoring eight times and providing jockey Beau Morgan with copious experience. Maintained the success when switched to hurdling then chasing and produced a top effort when second at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. Not fallen in 29 races. Should give young rider another memorable spin.
34. Duffle Coat
8yo grey gelding by Alhebayeb
Weight: 10st 4lb
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Owner: R Stokes
Jockey:TBC
Form: 1352P4B
Still a novice, but does not lack experience. A useful performer who looked like being placed at last month’s Cheltenham Festival but for being brought down by a falling rival two fences out. A further good effort came when finishing second in July’s prestigious Galway Plate. Likely to find the opposition a little warm.
35 (reserve): Shakem Up’Arry
11yo bay gelding by Flemensfirth
Weight: 10st 4lb
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Owner: Harry Redknapp
Jockey: Callum Pritchard
Form: 110-F50
One of two horses in this year’s race owned by football managers (the other, Hitman, is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson) but unlikely to find this task is a penalty kick. Not short of ability, but likely to be short of stamina, for he won the Plate Handicap Chase (2m 4½f) at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, but has failed in two attempts over three miles.
36 (reserve): Roi Mage
13yo bay gelding by Poliglote
Weight: 10st 4lb
Trainer: Patrick Griffin
Owners: Messrs Pryde, Van der Hoeven, McGladery & Beaumont
Jockey: TBC
Form: 629-21576
This wonderful veteran has won 11 races and been placed in 22. Seems unlikely to lift that up to seven figures on Saturday given that he was comfortably beaten when seventh and ninth in the past two Grand Nationals. No match for Stumptown at Cheltenham last month.
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How to watch Grand National 2025 live streams and TV coverage: your armchair viewing guide
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