Grey Runners In The 2025 Grand National – How Many Are There and Who Are They?
There are plenty of reasons why people love backing certain runners in the Grand National.
Sometimes, it’s because of a name; other times, it’s the jockey on board, but for a lot of fans, it’s because the horse is a grey runner.
Racing fans absolutely love them. And while grey winners are few and far between, there is a good reason for that.
So few grey runners are entered, and even fewer make the starting tape, that statistically, it is very difficult to notch up the wins.
Neptune Collonges, trained by Paul Nicholls, was the last grey runner to win the Grand National in 2012. That made him only the third grey to win in the race’s history.
That said, any horse can win the Grand National, and its colour is irrelevant!
Below are the Grey runners entered into the 2025 Grand National.
Can any of these grey runners tear up the history books and become the winner on April 5th, 2025?
Intense Raffles
The current favourite for the win in 2025, Intense Raffles, will be carrying the hopes of many on his grey coat.
This seven-year-old gelding, trained by Thomas Gibney, has already made a name for himself by winning the 2024 Irish Grand National.
What makes his bid for Aintree glory even more intriguing is that he is a grey horse, a colour that has historically been rare among Grand National winners.
Only three grey horses have ever conquered the Grand National: The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961), and Neptune Collonges (2012).
If Intense Raffles succeeds, he will become the fourth grey winner in the race’s history, a feat that would defy the odds that have traditionally been stacked against grey horses in this iconic event.
Despite the challenges, Intense Raffles’ recent form and favourable weight make him a compelling contender, and his grey coat could become a symbol of his determination to rewrite history at Aintree.
Vanillier
Trained by Gavin Cromwell, Vanillier was a second-place finisher in 2023 and returned in 2024 for another bite of the apple.
Unfortunately, he was 6lbs heavier and even though he got around, it was only in 14th place.
The good news is that if he runs again in 2025, he will be back to his old weight of 10-06, which is a bonus.
His current form is solid, with a third-place finish last time out at Cheltenham in the Glenfarclas Chase.
He looks likely to be up against Stumptown again but anything can happen in the National.
So, all things being equal, it’s easy to see why his odds are so low and why he will go off as one of the 2025 Grand National favourites.
Coko Beach
Gordon Elliott trains the Gigginstown grey, Coko Beach, which looks set to run again in the 2025 Grand National – for the fourth time!
Fans may remember that he ran in the last three Nationals with mixed results. He finished in 8th place in 2022, pulled up in 2023, and was 11th in 2024.
What boosts his chances this year is that he will run off his lowest weight to date in the race on just 10-09. That’s a far cry from the 11-08 he carried last year!
Kandoo Kid
Kandoo Kid is a nine-year-old grey gelding trained by the renowned Paul Nicholls.
This talented horse has recently gained significant attention following his impressive victory in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November 2024.
Nicholls has been vocal about his high hopes for Kandoo Kid, describing him as the “ideal horse” for the Grand National at Aintree.
He has experience around Aintree, having finished third in the Topham Trophy last year, which has further bolstered his credentials for the big race.
With Harry Cobden set to ride him, Kandoo Kid is certainly a contender to watch in the 2025 Grand National.
Fil Dor
Fil Dor is a seven-year-old grey gelding trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Robcour. He has had a notable career, being a Grade 2 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed hurdler.
Fil Dor was sold at Tattersalls Ireland for €620,000 in February 2024, highlighting his potential and value in the racing world.
If he stays in, he will go off carrying a weight of 10st 9lbs, but faces stiff competition from runners more used to the long distance.
Still On The Waiting List
While the grey horses above are all guaranteed a run in this year’s National, there are three more further down the list who are still hoping to sneak into contention.
Hyland (36)
Hyland is an exciting 8-year-old grey gelding trained by the renowned Nicky Henderson. This promising chaser has been making waves in the racing world with his impressive performances and jumping ability.
Owned by The Ten From Seven, Hyland’s jumping has been described as exceptional, with Henderson noting that it’s been his strong suit from a very early age.
Henderson has high hopes for Hyland, with the trainer planning a specific route for the horse before targeting the Aintree showpiece.
With his natural jumping ability, preference for good ground, and Henderson’s expert guidance, Hyland is certainly a horse to watch.
Now, he just needs to make the cut!
Duffle Coat (43)
Duffle Coat is an 8-year-old grey gelding trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Mr. Ray Stokes.
For the 2025 Grand National, Duffle Coat has been allocated a weight of 10st 4lbs and is currently ranked 43 on the list of entries.
This means that his participation in the race is uncertain, as only the top 34 horses are guaranteed a spot.
Despite this, Duffle Coat has demonstrated his ability in various conditions and distances, which could make him an interesting outsider if he manages to secure a place in the final lineup.
However, his chances of running depend on withdrawals from higher-ranked horses.
King Turgeon (58)
King Turgeon is a seven-year-old grey gelding trained by David Pipe, who has recently made headlines with impressive performances over the Grand National fences, winning the Grand Sefton in November 2024.
Despite his promising form, King Turgeon is currently ranked 58 on the list for the Grand National in 2025, making it highly unlikely that he will secure a spot in the final lineup.
However, his experience and talent suggest he could be a contender in future races if he gains more experience and moves up the ranks.
Grey Runners Conclusion
Unlike other years, five grey runners entered into the 2025 Grand National have made the cut, with Hyland just hovering outside the top 34.
Considering three or four of them have a really good shot at winning, this could be the year we see another join the list of grey runners that have won the National.
BETFRED
