National hunt racing is dominated by the big trainer and the super owners. If we’ve learned anything from the last month of racing, it’s that Willie Mullins, JP McManus, and now Gavin Cromwell, monopolise the industry headings. And for good reason.
Cheltenham was incredibly successful for all three, and as the racing world turns its attention to the 2025 Grand National, the feeling is that trend will continue into Aintree as well.
But given the nature of the National, we all know that the winner can emerge from any of the 34 runners. And, one name conspicuously absent from many discussions is that of Nigel Twiston-Davies.
The veteran British trainer, based in Naunton, Gloucestershire, is mounting a serious challenge to end his 23-year drought in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Twiston-Davies, a two-time Grand National winner, has secured guaranteed places for both of his entries in this year’s race.
While his duo of contenders includes Broadway Boy, it’s Beauport who stands out as a particularly intriguing prospect that has largely flown under the radar.
Beauport’s Impressive Track Record
The lack of buzz surrounding Twiston-Davies’s chances is surprising, given his impressive track record and Beauport’s recent performances.
Interestingly, it wasn’t until he stepped up in longer distanced chases that Beauport really started to shine.
It began with a second-place finish at Sandown in December 2023 in the National Handicap Chase over 3m4½f.
There was a blip at Warwick in January 2024 before Beauport stormed to victory in the Midlands Grand National in March 2024. That race is only yards shorter than the Grand National at 4m2f.
He ended last season with an attempt at the Scottish Grand National, but soft going is not his friend, and he couldn’t complete the race.
Fast forward to the current season, and his form is just as impressive, starting with another dominant win in a Class 2 Handicap Chase at Ascot in November 2024, again over a distance exceeding 3 miles 5 furlongs.
He followed that up with two places over hurdles at Ascot and Haydock – a prep route used by a lot of trainers – and now he heads to the National, where he is a general 33/1 chance.
These victories and places over marathon distances bode well for Beauport’s chances at Aintree, where stamina is paramount.
The Grand National course, spanning 4 miles 2 furlongs and 74 yards, demands a unique combination of endurance, jumping ability, and tactical nous – qualities that Beauport has shown in abundance.
My each-way bet is already on him, and I’ve tipped him on this site. He’s another fantastic chance for Nigel Twist-Davies to end his 23 drought in the Grand National.
Earth Summit and Bindaree
Twiston-Davies is no stranger to Grand National success. His first triumph came in 1998 with Earth Summit, a horse that had previously won both the Scottish and Welsh Grand Nationals.
Four years later, in 2002, he repeated the feat with Bindaree, cementing his reputation as a trainer who knows what it takes to win the Aintree spectacular.
The intervening years have seen Nigel Twiston-Davies maintain his position as one of Britain’s leading National Hunt trainers.
He has amassed over 1,500 winners and claimed 17 victories at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival and his ability to prepare horses for the biggest occasions in jump racing is beyond question.
Yet, despite this pedigree, Twiston-Davies’s 2025 Grand National challenge has received surprisingly little attention.
This oversight may prove costly for punters and pundits alike, as the trainer’s record suggests he should never be underestimated in major races.
An Incredible Career
Twiston-Davies’s journey to the top of his profession is a testament to his dedication and skill.
He began his racing career as an amateur jockey, riding for renowned trainers such as Fred Winter, Fred Rimell, and Kim Bailey. During this time, he notched up 17 winners – a respectable tally for an amateur.
In 1981, Nigel Twiston-Davies took out a permit to train while still working as a farmer. His first winner came the following year when Last Of The Foxes triumphed at Hereford.
It wasn’t until 1989 that he obtained a full training license, marking the beginning of a career that would see him become one of the most successful National Hunt trainers of his generation.
Twiston-Davies’s approach to training is characterised by a straightforward, no-nonsense style. He has a reputation for getting the best out of his horses, particularly in staying chases – a trait that serves him well when it comes to preparing runners for the Grand National.
However, the trainer’s success extends beyond the Grand National. He has enjoyed notable victories in other prestigious races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Imperial Commander in 2010.
Chance of Winning Another Grand National
As for Beauport, the horse’s progression suggests he could be peaking at just the right time for a tilt at Grand National glory.
His victory in the Midlands Grand National was particularly impressive, demonstrating his ability to handle the demands of a long-distance chase against quality opposition.
The Ascot win in November further underlined Beauport’s credentials. Carrying a substantial weight of 11 stone 7 pounds, he produced a dominant performance to win by 31 lengths.
For the National he will carry 11-01, 3lbs less than when he won the Midlands over the same distance.
Recent reports suggest that Beauport’s preparations are progressing smoothly. Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant trainer to his father, confirmed that both Beauport and Broadway Boy have schooled impressively over Aintree-style fences at Cheltenham.
The 2025 Grand National presents a golden opportunity for Nigel Twiston-Davies to reclaim his place at the pinnacle of jump racing.
With Beauport, he has a horse that ticks many of the boxes required for success in this race – stamina, jumping ability, and big-race experience.
As the big day approaches, racing enthusiasts would do well to pay closer attention to the Twiston-Davies yard.
The trainer’s record in the Grand National, coupled with Beauport’s impressive recent form, suggests that this could be the year when the Naunton-based handler ends his long wait for a third victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase.
In a race that often produces fairy-tale stories, the prospect of Nigel Twiston-Davies rolling back the years to land another Grand National triumph is an enticing one.
Whether Beauport can deliver on his promise remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: underestimating Nigel Twiston-Davies in the Grand National has proven to be a mistake in the past.
As April 5th draws near, all eyes should be on this experienced trainer and his talented stayer as they bid to write another chapter in the rich history of the Aintree spectacular.
