Every April, something brilliant happens — people who haven’t watched a single horse race all year get stuck in, swap tips, and suddenly become racing experts.
Office sweepstakes are drawn. Auntie June puts a fiver on something with “Lucky” in the name. And across the UK and Ireland, millions gather around TVs to watch 34 horses thunder their way around the most famous racecourse in the world.
Welcome to the 2025 Grand National – a race that needs no introduction, but let’s give it one anyway, especially for those who love the buzz but don’t necessarily know all the ins and outs.
If you’re here for the fun and fancy picking a couple of Grand National runners, this guide is for you!
So, Who’s Running in 2025?
This year’s Grand National field features 34 confirmed runners. The final line-up is locked in, and it’s all systems go for Saturday afternoon.
The 2025 line-up is a mix of returning heroes, untested hopefuls, and those long shots that everyone secretly wants to back.
Horses like I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner, are back for another crack, while others such as Hewick, Twig, and Perceval Legallois are hoping to write their names into racing history.
To make it nice and easy, all the runners are below so have a look and see which one takes your fancy.
Odds listed on this page are taken from Betfred on 05/04/2025. Check the odds with your Bookmaker before placing a bet, as fluctuations occur. Full Terms and Conditions for the promotional bet offers can be found on the respective websites – read them before you sign up.
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What Do the Horse Numbers Mean?
Each horse is given a number based on their handicap rating. In simple terms, better horses carry more weight to make the race fair.
Number 1 is the top-weighted horse (i.e. the one considered strongest by the handicapper), and the numbers run down from there.
Given that he won the race last year, it’s no surprise that I Am Maximus has been given the most weight and will run carrying 11-10.
But just because a horse is number 1 doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to win. In fact, carrying too much weight over more than four miles and 30 jumps can really test even the best.
That’s part of the charm — and fairness — of the Grand National.
A Word on the Jockey Colours
If you’ve ever watched a race and wondered why some jockeys look like they’re auditioning for a disco band, here’s the deal.
Each owner chooses their own “silks” – the colourful tops and caps worn by jockeys. No two sets are the same, which makes it easier to pick out your horse mid-race.
Some colours are famous (like the green and gold hoops of JP McManus), while others are a little more…creative.
In the Grand National, spotting your runner is half the fun. Whether it’s stars, stripes, or a luminous pink top with lime green polka dots, it’s all part of the spectacle.
Long Odds, Short Odds – What’s It All Mean?
When someone says a horse is “50/1”, it simply means for every £1 you bet, you’ll win £50 back (plus your £1 stake) if it comes in first.
The longer the odds, the less likely the horse is expected to win – but this is the Grand National, and we all know that underdogs can and do surprise.
Shorter odds like 6/1 or 8/1 suggest a horse is one of the favourites. It also means you’ll get a smaller return, but perhaps a greater chance of cashing in.
In 2009, a 100/1 shot called Mon Mome won. So don’t feel daft backing a big outsider – it might just be your lucky day.
Then again, in 2019, Tiger Roll won at odds of 4/1. It really does go from one extreme to the other and everything in between!
Runners to Watch
Let’s take a look at a few of the big names — and the ones who have made a splash in the betting.
Hitman – Paul Nicholls
On Thursday, Hitman, from trainer Paul Nicholls, was 100/1. By Friday, he was 28/1.
I don’t think he suddenly got ridiculously more impressive over 24 hours, so it’s more likely that some very large bets have been placed on him…the kinds of huge bets that can actually change the odds!
Paul Nicholls is on form; he is sending five runners to the race, and he loves all of them, so maybe the 100/1 odds were too good to pass up for some punters!
Appreciate It
I call it the ‘Willie Mullins effect’. This is when Willie Mullins starts clearing up at big race meetings, and two things happen.
The first is that bookmakers lose their nerve and reduce the odds on anything with four legs that just got off a boat from Ireland.
The second is that racing fans see the trainer has been waving his magic wand again, and start backing every horse he saddles.
That includes Appreciate It, who only days ago was 80/1. Fans took a quick look at the Grand National odds and spotted the insanely long odds on a Willie Mullins horse and figured it was worth a punt.
Now (at least as I’m writing this), he’s gone from 33/1 to 25/1. That’s a staggering drop in odds!
Minella Indo
We’ve looked at the trainer effect, and now we’ll look at the ‘jockey effect’, namely any horse that Rachael Blackmore is on.
Minella Indo started the week at anywhere from 50/1 to 66/1 but is now a much smaller 20/1.
Blackmore has won this race before; she’s the only female rider in the race, and Minella Indo was third last year.
What’s not to love!
Picking a Runner (or Two)
Choosing a horse in the Grand National is part logic, part hunch, and part sheer luck.
Some go by name, some by the colours, others by the jockey. And a lot of people simply go for the horse that “feels right.”
You know what? That’s all perfectly fine.
If you’re betting each-way (which means you’ll still get paid out if your horse finishes in the top 4, 5, 6, or even 7 – depending on your bookmaker), look for horses priced around 25/1 to 50/1 with decent form and stamina. That’s often the sweet spot where dreams are made.
Fun Grand National Facts
The youngest horse allowed to run is seven years old.
The race distance is about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs — that’s around two laps of the Aintree course.
Horses jump 30 fences in total. Some of the jumps, like Becher’s Brook and The Chair, are as famous as the horses themselves.
Since 1839, over 1,400 horses have lined up in the Grand National.
Only a handful of favourites actually win. That’s why it’s the ultimate guessing game.
Grand National Runners 2025
The Grand National isn’t just a horse race — it’s a national event.
Whether you’re watching at the track, in the pub, or from the sofa with your sweepstake slip in hand, it’s one of the few times the whole country holds its breath over a single race.
So, whether you fancy a flashy favourite or a 100/1 outsider, enjoy the build-up, cheer them home, and remember — when it comes to the Grand National, absolutely anything can happen.
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