It’s a mouthful of a name, but Threeunderthrufive could be the surprise package in Paul Nicholls’ 2025 Grand National team — and he’s got Harry Skelton in the saddle to help him prove it.
The horse with the quirky name and steady engine has been flying a little under the radar, but Nicholls isn’t sending him to Aintree just to make up the numbers.
With one of Britain’s best jockeys on board and a trainer who knows a thing or two about big-race winners, this combination has more going for it than you might think.
As Solid As They Come
Threeunderthrufive might not be the flashiest name in the field (or the easiest to spell), but this horse has been nothing if not reliable.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, owned by the McNeill Family, and now teaming up with top jockey Harry Skelton, he heads to the Grand National with solid backing and a no-nonsense track record.
Over 24 starts, he’s picked up ten wins and finished in the top three another seven times – not bad going at all.
He’s earned over £277,000 in prize money and built a reputation as a horse that turns up, digs in, and gets the job done.
Bred for stamina and built to jump, Threeunderthrufive’s recent efforts show he’s still got plenty to offer.
He grabbed a strong win at Ascot in early 2024 and nearly repeated the trick at the same track a year later, just missing out by a nose while carrying a whopping 12 stone.
Whether it’s soft or good ground, long or longer trips, he’s shown he can handle a bit of everything, just the sort of attitude you need for the chaos of Aintree.
The McNeill Family
The McNeill Family has been deeply involved in horse racing for over a decade, enjoying significant success with horses like Grumeti and Walkon.
Their approach combines passion with strategic planning; they work closely with trainers like Paul Nicholls to ensure their horses are placed in races that maximize their potential.
Threeunderthrufive is one of their standout stars, but they also co-own Three Card Brag, another Grand National runner trained by Gordon Elliott.
This dual representation highlights their commitment to competing at the highest level.
Harry Skelton: A Champion Jockey
Harry Skelton brings championship credentials to Threeunderthrufive’s Grand National campaign.
Crowned British Champion Jump Jockey for the 2020–21 season, Skelton has amassed over 1,000 career wins, including victories in Grade 1 races such as the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
His experience riding in high-pressure situations will be invaluable at Aintree.
Interestingly, Harry’s brother Dan Skelton currently leads the British Trainers’ Championship in a rivalry that adds an extra layer of intrigue to this year’s Grand National.
While Dan does not have a runner in this year’s race, Harry’s performance aboard Threeunderthrufive could play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative between these two racing dynasties.
The Long Odds Mystery
Over the course of the last couple of months, Threeunderthrufive has hovered around the 66/1 odds. Sometimes, it’s a little less, and other times, it’s a little more.
The mystery is why given he has so much going for him in the 2025 Grand National.
I’ve honestly seen horses with form that looked more like the alphabet on shorter odds, as if a horse that refused to race is somehow a better bet than one that was second at Ascot last time out.
In the world of algorithms, Threeunderthrufive looks well capable of outrunning his very long odds.
He is a horse that ticks many of the boxes required for Grand National success, yet he remains inexplicably overlooked in the betting.
His fourth-place finish in the 2023 Scottish Grand National demonstrated his stamina and ability to handle marathon distances.
More recently, he was narrowly denied victory at Ascot in February 2025, losing by just a nose to Victtorino while carrying a hefty 12 stone.
For the Grand National, he has been allocated a much more favourable 10st 12lb, which significantly enhances his chances of staying competitive over the extended trip.
Despite these merits, his odds suggest he is being underestimated, perhaps due to the dominance of Irish-trained contenders in recent years or skepticism about his ability to handle Aintree’s unique fences.
However, with proven stamina, a competitive weight, and solid form this season, Threeunderthrufive appears to be a sleeper pick who could surprise the doubters.
BETFRED
