As the 2025 Grand National approaches, all eyes are on Iroko, the seven-year-old bay gelding trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
This rising star of the National Hunt scene has been steadily building a reputation that suggests he could be the horse to deliver his trainers their first Grand National victory.
After a promising start to his career in France, he caught the eye of legendary owner JP McManus, who brought him to the Greenall-Guerriero yard in late 2021.
Since then, Iroko has been on an upward trajectory, showcasing his talent and stamina in a series of impressive performances.
The Season So Far
The 2024-25 season has been particularly noteworthy for Iroko. He kicked off with a solid second-place finish at Haydock in November, followed by an unlucky fall at Ascot in December.
However, it was his fourth-place finish in a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham in January that really turned heads. The stewards noted his eye-catching run, hinting at untapped potential over longer distances.
Iroko’s most recent outing at Kelso on March 1st, 2025, further cemented his Grand National credentials.
Finishing a close second to Grey Dawning in the Premier Chase, he demonstrated the stamina and class that could make him a formidable contender at Aintree.
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the dynamic training duo behind Iroko, have been making waves in the racing world.
Their partnership, which began officially in 2022, has already yielded impressive results, including their first Cheltenham Festival winner with Iroko himself in the 2023 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
A Grand National victory would be the crowning achievement for these up-and-coming trainers.
“We’re going to Kelso all being well,” Guerriero told Sky Sports Racing before Iroko’s recent run.
“It should be a nice experience for him up there, not too many runners and back up to three mile. We’re keen to go left-handed as well.
“The record of horses running right-handed before the National isn’t very good for some reason so we were keen to find a race left-handed which looks ideal at Kelso.”
The trainers’ meticulous planning for Iroko’s Grand National bid is evident. They’ve carefully managed his season, focusing on left-handed tracks and gradually increasing his stamina work.
This patient approach could pay dividends come April 5th at Aintree.
Owned By JP McManus
Iroko’s owner, JP McManus, is no stranger to Grand National success. With three victories already under his belt – Don’t Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021), and I Am Maximus (2024) – McManus needs just one more win to hold the record for the most wins by an owner in the race’s history.
McManus’s faith in Iroko was evident from the start. After the horse’s second-place finish in the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree last year, McManus reportedly told the trainers, “that’s my National horse for next year”.
This early identification of Iroko’s potential for the Grand National speaks volumes about the horse’s ability and the owner’s eye for talent.
As we approach the 2025 Grand National, Iroko sits prominently in the betting markets and could even go off as the joint-favourite.
The handicapper has given him a favourable weight of 10st 11lb for the big race, a factor that could prove crucial over the course.
Can He Do It?
While some may point to Iroko’s relative youth – he’ll be just seven years old on race day – as a potential weakness, recent trends suggest this may not be the disadvantage it once was.
The Grand National has evolved, and younger, classier horses have found success in recent years.
Iroko’s stamina remains somewhat untested, having not raced beyond 3 miles 1 furlong. However, his strong finishing performances and the confidence of his connections suggest he has what it takes to see out the marathon trip.
As the anticipation builds for the 2025 Grand National, Iroko stands out as a horse with all the attributes needed for success.
With his progressive form, clever training, and the backing of one of racing’s most successful owners, he could well be the horse to get Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero into the Grand National winner’s enclosure.
With Jonjo O’Neill Jr confirmed as his jockey, the stage is set for Iroko to potentially make history at Aintree.
Whether he can deliver on his promise and become the Grand National winner his trainers have been waiting for remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain – all eyes will be on those famous green and gold silks as they bid for glory in the world’s greatest steeplechase.
And if you want to check all of the runners, odds, and jockeys for this year’s Grand National, just click here!
BETFRED
