How time flies. One minute, we’re eagerly awaiting the entries for the 2025 Grand National, and the next, Cheltenham has been and gone, and more potential runners have been scratched at the second withdrawal stage.
Normally, this is one of the least exciting stages. Trainers and connections tend to wait until closer to the time to see if their horses have recovered enough from Prestbury Park to take their chances at Aintree.
However, this time around, a lot has happened. Not only has the ante-post favourite, Inothewayurthinkin, been scratched by trainer Gavin Cromwell following his Gold Cup glory, but that leaves Intense Raffles at the top of the betting market for the 2025 Grand National.
Last year’s winner, I Am Maximus, is still in the game on top weight which means other trainers can breath a sigh of relief with no alterations to the BHA Handicapper’s original weights.
In total, 11 horses were scratched from the Grand National, plus three more that did not qualify, at the second stage when it closed at midday today (18.03.25).
Monty’s Star, Gentlemansgame, and The Real Whacker were also removed after their Gold Cup exertions last week.
Horses Scratched At Second Stage
- Envoi Allen
- Inothewayurthinkin
- Gentlemansgame
- Monty’s Star
- The Real Whacker
- Galvin
- Trelawne
- Limerick Lace
- Pinkerton
- Git Maker
- Gericault Roque
Did Not Qualify
- French Dynamite
- Zanahiyr
- Placenet
We went into this stage with 81 runners still in contention, so, with those 14 horses no longer in the running, that leaves 67 to battle it out for 34 places.
That’s up on last year when only 58 were left in the mix so there’s a lot of hopeful trainers out there!
After todays withdrawals, it means that Mr Incredible, Farouk d’Alene, Stay Away Fay, Fil Dor, Meetingofthewaters, Velvet Elvis, Minella Drama, Monbeg Genius and Vanillier are now guaranteed a place.
Runners Still Waiting
There are still some top chasers waiting patiently in the wings, with Nicky Henderson hoping that Hyland can make it and give him another chance at finally winning a National.
So too will Gordon Elliott with two of his runners, Three Card Brag and Minella Crooner currently in 39th and 40th position.
Willie Mullins still dominates the entries with at least seven of nine runners making the cut.
Unsurprisingly, JP McManus is the dominant owner and despite taking out Inothewayurthinkin, still has six runners capable of winning.
The last confirmation stage for the National will be on Monday, March 31st, with declarations for the final field made on April 3rd.
Full List Of Grand National Runners 2025
Below are the remaining 67 horses still in contention for the 2025 Grand National. The top 34 are guaranteed their spots.
- 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
- 28 Farouk d’Alene – 10-9 – Gary Brown
- 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
BETFRED
