Every year, the Grand National throws up a wildcard — a runner who doesn’t quite fit the mould but might just have something up their sleeve (or in this case, under their saddle).
Enter Duffle Coat, Gordon Elliott’s latest hopeful and one of the more unexpected names on the 2025 list of runners.
He’s got a cosy name, a trainer who knows a thing or two about winning this race, and just enough mystery around him to make racing fans sit up and pay attention.
Duffle Coat might not be topping the betting charts, but that’s never stopped a National hopeful before.
Trained by the man behind Tiger Roll’s famous back-to-back wins, this horse is quietly creeping into the conversation.
Is he a clever plot? A quirky long shot? Or just a name that’s going to confuse fashion fans on race day?
Whatever he is, there’s no denying he’s an intriguing entry — and Gordon Elliott wouldn’t send him unless he thought there was a reason.
The Journey to Aintree
This year, Gordon Elliott’s grey gelding, Duffle Coat, has quietly slipped into the field as the 34th and final runner.
At around 50-1 odds, he may not be commanding headlines like some of his rivals, but this eight-year-old has the potential to turn heads at Aintree.
His career has been a mix of promise and perseverance, he began his racing journey under the ownership of the Little Emperor Syndicate before transitioning to his current owner, Ray Stokes.
He is well chased with 13 starts over fences and though that has only resulted in one win, he did place in seven more.
More importantly, other than being pulled up once in September and bring brought down at Cheltenham, he has never finished outside of the top 5.
His standout performances include a victory in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe in May 2024 and a near-miss in the Galway Plate that July, where he finished second by just half a length.
These efforts showcased his ability to handle competitive handicaps and his preference for decent ground conditions.
He was running strongly in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month when he was brought down two fences from home. While this incident denied him a chance to finish what looked like a promising race, it also hinted at his ability to stay competitive over extended trips.
Could Out Run His Odds
Duffle Coat might not be top of most Grand National shortlists, but there’s a lot to like about this grey underdog.
He’s got the kind of staying power you need to get around Aintree’s full marathon test, with solid runs in the Mayo National and Galway Plate showing he can keep on galloping when others start to fade.
If the ground stays on the good-to-soft side, that’s another tick in his favour as he’s no stranger to performing well on those conditions.
With rising star Danny Gilligan in the saddle, Duffle Coat could well sneak under the radar and cause a stir on Saturday.
That said, punters may want to keep one eyebrow slightly raised. His recent tumble at Cheltenham wasn’t ideal prep for the biggest fences in the business, and one win from 13 chase starts won’t exactly send the bookies into panic mode.
Add in some patchy form and tough competition from more proven stayers, and it’s fair to say he’s got his work cut out.
But hey – it’s the Grand National. Stranger things have happened, and Duffle Coat could yet wrap up the shock of the day.
The Jockey Factor: Danny Gilligan
Danny Gilligan may not be a household name yet, but he represents an exciting new generation of jockeys.
At just 18 years old, Gilligan has already gained valuable experience riding in high-pressure races under Elliott’s guidance.
While he hasn’t yet secured major victories in his career, his hunger for success could provide an edge in a race where determination often makes all the difference.
Worth A Second Look
Duffle Coat enters the 2025 Grand National as an underdog with untapped potential.
His journey from being the last horse to make the cut to lining up alongside some of jumps racing’s biggest names is already remarkable.
Whether or not he can overcome his limitations remains to be seen, but with Gordon Elliott in his corner and Danny Gilligan hungry for success, this grey gelding might just have what it takes to make headlines.
In a race where anything can happen, dismissing Duffle Coat outright would be unwise.
Keep an eye on him – he could well prove that sometimes it’s the quiet ones you need to watch most closely.
BETFRED
