As I sit down to write this article, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement. The Grand National, that iconic horse race that captures the nation’s imagination every year, is just around the corner.
On April 5th, 2025, millions of us will gather around our televisions, place our once-a-year bets, and cheer on our chosen Grand National runners as they tackle the course at Aintree.
But which of them will actually be lining up at the starting gates? That’s the question on everyone’s lips, and I’m here to give you all the details.
Even if you’re not a regular follower of horse racing, don’t worry – I’ll break it down in a way that’ll have you sounding like an expert at the office sweepstakes.
First things first, let’s look at all 66 horses that are still in the running for one of the 34 places in the race:
The Runners
Farouk D’Alene – previously number 28 – has been declared a non-runner. That means, since the last scratching stage, Horantzau d’Airy, from trainer Willie Mullins, has made the cut.
- 1 I Am Maximus – 11-12 – W P Mullins
- 2 Royale Pagaille – 11-9 – Venetia Williams
- 3 Nick Rockett – 11-8 – W P Mullins
- 4 L’Homme Presse – 11-8 – Venetia Williams
- 5 Grangeclare West – 11-8 – W P Mullins
- 6 Hewick – 11-7 – Miss Tara Lee Cogan
- 7 Minella Indo – 11-3 – Henry De Bromhead
- 8 Appreciate It – 11-2 – W P Mullins
- 9 Capodanno – 11-2 – W P Mullins
- 10 Minella Cocooner – 11-2 – W P Mullins
- 11 Conflated – 11-2 – Gordon Elliott
- 12 Stumptown – 11-2 – Gavin Cromwell
- 13 Hitman – 11-1 – Paul Nicholls
- 14 Beauport – 11-1 – Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 15 Bravemansgame – 11-0 – Paul Nicholls
- 16 Chantry House – 10-13 – Nicky Henderson
- 17 Threeunderthrufive – 10-12 – Paul Nicholls
- 18 Perceval Legallois – 10-12 – Gavin Cromwell
- 19 Kandoo Kid – 10-11 – Paul Nicholls
- 20 Iroko – 10-11 – Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- 21 Intense Raffles – 10-10 – Thomas Gibney
- 22 Senior Chief – 10-10 – Henry De Bromhead
- 23 Idas Boy – 10-10 – Richard Phillips
- 24 Mr Incredible – 10-9 – Sandy Thomson
- 25 Fil Dor – 10-9 – Gordon Elliott
- 26 Broadway Boy – 10-9 – Nigel Twiston-Davies
- 27 Coko Beach – 10-9 – Gordon Elliott
- 29 Stay Away Fay – 10-9 – Paul Nicholls
- 30 Velvet Elvis – 10-7 – Gavin Cromwell
- 31 Minella Drama – 10-7 – Donald McCain
- 32 Meetingofthewaters – 10-7 – W P Mullins
- 33 Monbeg Genius – 10-6 – Jonjo & A J O’Neill
- 34 Vanillier – 10-6 – Gavin Cromwell
- 35 Horantzau d’Airy – 10-6 – W P Mullins
- 36 Hyland – 10-6 – Nicky Henderson
- 37 Celebre d’Allen – 10-6 – Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
- 38 Fontaine Collonges – 10-6 – Venetia Williams
- 39 Three Card Brag – 10-5 – Gordon Elliott
- 40 Minella Crooner – 10-5 – Gordon Elliott
- 41 Twig – 10-5 – Ben Pauling
- 42 Quick Wave – 10-5 – Venetia Williams
- 43 Duffle Coat – 10-4 – Gordon Elliott
- 44 Shakem Up’arry – 10-4 – Ben Pauling
- 45 Roi Mage – 10-4 – Patrick Griffin
- 46 Favori De Champdou – 10-3 – Gordon Elliott
- 47 Fantastic Lady – 10-3 – Nicky Henderson
- 48 Yeah Man – 10-3 – Gavin Cromwell
- 49 Mr Vango – 10-2 – Mrs Sara V Bradstock
- 50 Macdermott – 10-2 – W P Mullins
- 51 Mister Coffey – 10-2 – Nicky Henderson
- 52 Chemical Energy – 10-2 – Gordon Elliott
- 53 Desertmore House – 10-1 – Martin Brassil
- 54 Malina Girl – 10-1 – Gavin Cromwell
- 55 Richmond Lake – 10-1 – Donald McCain
- 56 La Renommee – 10-0 – Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole
- 57 Stuzzikini – 9-13 – Gordon Elliott
- 58 King Turgeon – 9-13 – David Pipe
- 59 Surrey Quest – 9-12 – Toby Lawes
- 60 Cruz Control – 9-12 – Tom Lacey
- 61 Apple Away – 9-11 – Lucinda Russell
- 62 Busselton – 9-11 – Joseph Patrick O’Brien
- 63 Spanish Harlem – 9-11 – W P Mullins
- 64 Famous Bridge – 9-9 – Nicky Richards
- 65 Escaria Ten – 9-7 – Martin Keighley
- 66 Where It All Began – 9-7 – Gordon Elliott
- 67 Pats Fancy – 9-3 – Rebecca Curtis
How They Get To The Grand National
Now we know which grand national runners are still involved, let’s talk about how they actually make it into the race itself.
It’s not just a case of turning up on the day and hoping for the best. Oh no, there’s a whole process involved, and it all starts with the weights.
You see, the Grand National is what’s known as a handicap race. This means that each horse is assigned a weight to carry based on their ability.
The idea is to level the playing field and make for a more exciting race. The better the horse, the more weight they have to carry.
It’s like asking Usain Bolt to run with a backpack full of bricks – it gives the other runners a fighting chance!
The weights for the 2025 Grand National were announced a few weeks ago, and they’ve got everyone talking.
The top weight this year is a whopping 11 stone 12 pounds (that’s 166 pounds for our American friends), and it’s been given to none other than last year’s winner, I Am Maximus.
Now, you might think carrying all that weight would put I Am Maximus at a disadvantage, but don’t count him out just yet.
This nine-year-old, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, is a true champion. He won last year’s race by an impressive seven and a half lengths, and he’s been given the number one spot in the handicap for a reason. He’s definitely one to watch.
But what about the other contenders? Well, there are plenty of exciting horses in the mix. Let’s take a look at a few that have caught my eye.
The Contenders in 2025
One horse that’s been attracting a lot of attention is Intense Raffles. This seven-year-old, trained by Thomas Gibney, won the Irish Grand National last year and has been aimed at this race ever since.
He’s carrying 10 stone 10 pounds, which gives him a nice advantage over some of the top weights. Many experts are tipping him as the one to beat.
Royale Pagaille is an interesting one. Trained by Venetia Williams, this 11-year-old is carrying 11 stone 9 pounds.
He’s had a bit of an up-and-down season, but he’s a classy horse with plenty of stamina. If he can recapture his best form, he could be a real threat.
Then there’s Nick Rockett, another Willie Mullins-trained horse. He’s been in great form this season, winning his last two races.
At eight years old, he’s in his prime, and carrying 11 stone 8 pounds, he’s got a decent weight. He’s definitely one for your shortlist.
The only issue for Royale Pagaille and Nick Rockett is that the heavier the weight, the harder the race.
That’s why part of the magic of this race is that it often throws up a surprise winner. So, let’s look at a few outsiders who might just cause an upset.
The Outsiders
Perceval Legallois is an interesting prospect. Trained by Gavin Cromwell, this eight-year-old has been steadily improving and won his last race in impressive style.
He’s carrying 10 stone 12 pounds, which puts him right in the middle of the weights. At current odds of around 25/1, he could be great value for an each-way bet.
Another outsider to consider is Vanillier. This 10-year-old, also trained by Gavin Cromwell, finished second in the 2023 race.
He’s carrying 10 stone 6 pounds this year, which is a nice racing weight. He knows the course and has the stamina for the distance. Don’t be surprised if he’s in the mix at the finish.
Of course, with 67 horses still in contention at the time of writing, there are plenty more I could mention. Horses like Beauport, Hewick, Minella Indo, and Bravemansgame all have strong claims and plenty of supporters.
But that’s the beauty of the Grand National – it’s so unpredictable. The fences are big, the course is long, and anything can happen over those four-and-a-quarter miles.
A horse might be going well and then make one small mistake. Or a rank outsider might suddenly find an extra gear and storm to victory. That’s why we love it.
Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty
As we get closer to the big day, the field will be whittled down to the final 34 runners.
Some grand national runners will be withdrawn by their connections, others might pick up injuries, and some will simply miss the cut if there are too many entries.
So, what should you look for when picking your horse?
Well, stamina is key. This is a long, tough race, and horses need to stay the distance. Experience is also important – horses that have run in the National before or have good form over similar distances often do well.
Have Fun
But honestly? Sometimes it’s just as fun to pick a horse because you like its name, or because its jockey is wearing your favourite colour.
This is the one race of the year where everyone becomes an expert, where office sweepstakes bring colleagues together, and where for just over nine minutes, the whole nation holds its breath.
So whether you’re backing I Am Maximus to make it two in a row, taking a chance on an outsider like Beauport, or simply picking your lucky number, get ready for an incredible spectacle.
The 2025 Grand National is shaping up to be a classic, and I, for one, can’t wait to see which horse will etch its name into racing history.
Remember, whatever horse you choose, bet responsibly and, most importantly, enjoy the race.
After all, that’s what the Grand National is all about – bringing people together for a shared moment of excitement, drama, and pure sporting magic.
See you at the starting gate!
BETFRED
