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David Jennings' Grand National tips and runner guide
A field of 34 runners will go to post for the world's most famous steeplechase at Aintree today, but who will come out on top in the Randox Grand National (4.00)? Read our runner-by-runner guide featuring top quotes and star ratings for the big race live on ITV at 4pm today.
1. I Am Maximus
DJ's view: The defending champ. It looked like he hated jumping before he arrived in Aintree this time last year but he negotiated his way around very effectively and basically bolted up. He's 8lb higher now and has form figures of P8 this season. That doesn't matter a jot. Nothing mattered over the last few months apart from this day. He’s trained by a genius and is rightly the favourite for today’s race.
Willie Mullins, trainer: "He seems to be in very good form and I have been very happy with him over the last few weeks. He really enjoyed himself in the race last year and Paul [Townend] has picked him. I couldn't be any happier with him anyway."
Star rating: ****
2. Royale Pagaille
DJ's view: A class act, but a class act in bogs. Will like this ground about as much as Roy Keane likes Erling Haaland's dad.
Venetia Williams, trainer: "Ideally we'd have very different ground but the extended distance should be fine. He's never run over this distance before but everything he's shown so far suggests he should stay. He's got a lot of weight though, which comes into the mix. We had a bit of a hold-up with him around Christmas but he's been in good form and has come out of Cheltenham well."
Star rating: *
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3. Nick Rockett
DJ's view: The Thyestes and Bobbyjo winner, two proven trials for this. The knock-on effect of that is an 11lb higher mark than the one he was successful off at Gowran. Oh, and he's not very big. But, then again, neither was Tiger Roll.
Patrick Mullins, jockey: "He'll probably be one of the smallest horses in the field, but he's got plenty of heart and he's very clever. He's ran in some of the best trials and I think he should give me a great spin."
Star rating: **
4. Grangeclare West
DJ's view: A Grade 1 winner who finished ahead of Fact To File when chasing home Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup two months ago. If I stopped there you might consider backing him, but he has since ran a shocker at Navan and looks about the stable's fifth string. His case isn't so compelling now, is it?
Willie Mullins, trainer: "Grangeclare West ran a cracker behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup. We had to run him at Navan but I'd put a line through that as it was too short for him."
Star rating: **
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5. Hewick
DJ's view: If the Shark wins the Grand National, he could combust. There won't be a cow milked in County Carlow for months, possibly years. The fairytale could happen, too. He's a King George winner, who will adore the ground and he's been trained for the race. There's plenty to like and it's impossible not to like his trainer, too. He brings life to the game. There will never be another Shark.
Shark Hanlon, trainer: "He's in roaring form. We brought him on Thursday night on the boat and from a horse having done that, he's bouncing. Please God he gets home safe, but he's a different horse. He's a freak."
Star rating: ****
6. Minella Indo
DJ's view: A Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. That was four years ago, though. Third in this race last year and he's a pound lower now, plus Rachael Blackmore has picked him over stablemate Senior Chief. She has spent the last decade pulling rabbits out of hats, but I'm not sure her magic wand will work here.
Henry de Bromhead, trainer: "He's still showing lots of spark at home and seems very well in himself. He ran so well in the race last year and enjoyed himself so we're looking forward to it."
Star rating: **
7. Appreciate It
DJ's view: Here we go: I like the chap a lot and he's 80-1. Okay, he probably won't stay but this track and these fences look absolutely made for him. He'll be in his comfort zone every step of the way and, if he's still standing, I would fully expect him to be hard on the bridle when they cross the Melling Road for the final time. What happens from there, who knows, but you're getting 80-1 to find out!
Willie Mullins, trainer: "Appreciate It jumps well and goes on this ground. I thought we maybe should go to the Topham but we were keen to have a runner in the National. Michael Masterson [owner] has never had a runner in it and it's a big deal for any owner to have a runner on a day like this."
Star rating: ****
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8. Minella Cocooner
DJ's view: One of not that many who will love the ground. Last year's bet365 Gold Cup winner at Sandown has been tipped up by some shrewd judges, including the super sharp Lydia Hislop. She knows more than most. Forget all his winter form. He's been waiting for this ground.
Willie Mullins, trainer: "Minella Cocooner is a big player, he won the bet365 at Sandown last year which puts him in here with a big chance."
Star rating: ***
9. Conflated
DJ's view: If I had a fiver for every time someone tells me they have a sneaky fancy for Conflated I would still be penniless now. Nobody fancies him. He just doesn't seem to be the horse he was and, even in his prime, this trip would stretch him beyond his limits.
Gordon Elliott, trainer: "He likes Aintree and ran a cracker in the Melling last year. He seems to very well in himself and should like the ground. That said, he does have plenty on his plate."
Star rating: *
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10. Stumptown
DJ's view: The new king of the banks. Remember the old king of the banks? He went by the name Tiger Roll and he did okay around here, if my memory serves me correctly. Ended up winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase by seven lengths despite looking beaten all ends up a mile out. Trained by a master and ridden by a genius, there's plenty to like.
Gavin Cromwell, trainer: "He's versatile but he lacks a gear and wears blinkers to keep his mind on the job. They will help him travel and hopefully he will be able to hold his position in the middle part of the race and come home strongly, as he did at Cheltenham."
Star rating: ***
11. Hitman
DJ's view: The last time he won a race, I think Roy Evans was managing Liverpool. It's been quite a while between drinks for this guy and punters are parched. Might not stay. Might not be well handicapped. Might not be good enough. Might not win.
Paul Nicholls, trainer: "He’s been very consistent again this season, running some good solid races from two and a half to three miles. He's got a touch of class and ground conditions are in his favour, although there is a bit of a question mark about the trip for him. I've deliberately kept him fresh by sidestepping Cheltenham and he's just the type to run really well."
Star rating: *
12. Beauport
DJ's view: There is a very valid argument for saying 28-1 is too big of a price and my buddy Paul Kealy has been telling everybody that for weeks and weeks. There's nothing not to like about his chance, apart from maybe a terrible effort in last year's Scottish National.
Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant trainer: "He’s been trained for the race, and jumped well over the National fences when we took him to Cheltenham. He stays well, handles decent ground, and I'm optimistic he will run a big race."
Star rating: ***
13. Bravemansgame
DJ's view: Hard to believe he hasn't won a race of any sort since the King George of 2022. In his defence, he's been swimming in the deep end and constantly running in Grade 1s. He was rated 172 once upon a time so a mark of 155 is very plausible here. But the chances are that he's not as good as he was once upon a time.
Paul Nicholls, trainer: "Harry [Cobden] schooled all our National contenders on Monday morning and said that Bravemansgame still feels like a 160 horse. He’s been a fabulous flagship for us but has had a lot of hard races against the best chasers in training. He’s a class horse, a great jumper and if he takes to the fences on ground that should suit then off that rating you never know."
Star rating: **
14. Chantry House
DJ's view: Rolled back the years to win at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but terrible in the Cotswold Chase afterwards. This sort of a test around here might suit him, but I wouldn't like to be paying to find out.
Nicky Henderson, trainer: "I love Chantry House to bits. When we schooled over the Grand National fences he was just unbelievable. He'll enjoy it, but he doesn't naturally love crowds. He'll naturally just find a space."
Star rating: **
15. Threeunderthrufive
DJ's view: Gut-wrenching for connections when he was nosed out of it at Ascot by Victtorino. Gets in off the same mark here and must be value each-way at 50-1.
Paul Nicholls, trainer: "We toyed with the idea of running Threeunderthrufive in the 2024 National before deciding it was a year too soon. We know he stays well, appreciates decent ground and he was a solid fourth in the Scottish National in 2023. I've trained him all season with Aintree in mind, and he's an interesting each-way outsider."
Star rating: ***
16. Perceval Legallois
DJ's view: The Paddy Power Chase winner who seems to have been around forever, but is still only eight. Stamina is an issue, but did his best work late at Leopardstown over 3m at Christmas and he has been trained for the race ever since. This Gold Cup-winning team of Cromwell and Walsh have a chance of National glory, too. It's just that energy-sapping run from the last to the line that worries me.
Gavin Cromwell, trainer: "I can't see why he won't have the natural pace to hold his position early on. Whether he stays or not, who knows, but I can't see why he wouldn't. His ability to travel sweetly through the race will hopefully stand to him. He's still relatively young and hopefully there's more improvement to come. He seems to be in great form."
Star rating: ***
17. Kandoo Kid
DJ's view: Paul Nicholls backed him to win the Coral Gold Cup and he collected a right few quid. The trainer thinks he's got a cracking chance here, too, and said this has been the plan ever since he was third in last year's Topham. Harry Cobden has picked him out of all the Ditcheat squad so this grey guy could be bang there at the business end.
Paul Nicholls, trainer: "Harry [Cobden] has chosen Kandoo Kid and you can see why because he is a lightly raced horse with plenty of upside. Immediately after he finished a close third in last year’s Topham I remember saying to Harry that he had two objectives for this season…the Coral Gold Cup and the National. We think he will be very competitive."
Star rating: ***
18. Iroko
DJ's view: Nobody has made any secret of the fact that every step of Iroko's season has been leading up to this day. The trainers keep saying it and so does the jockey. A seriously classy individual, who is not far off Grade 1 level, likes the track and has no issues with ground. What's not to like? Maybe the price. It's getting very skimpy.
Josh Guerriero, joint-trainer: "He's very good and he's in top form. We'd prefer softer ground, but I'd say most would and I don't think we could have him in better shape. It'll be a relief once it's all over, but we've obviously had this race in mind all season."
Star rating: ****
19. Intense Raffles
DJ's view: Was favourite a week ago but he's nowhere near favourite now. Does anybody know why? I don't. Could it be the ground? It probably is. He would certainly prefer to get his toe in a bit deeper but we don't know for sure he won't handle this. Won last year's Irish Grand National and those have a good record in this.
Tom Gibney, trainer: "I was a bit worried after his two runs over hurdles at Navan, so I was delighted to see him come back to himself in the Bobbyjo. I think Racing Post Ratings had the Bobbyjo run as his best run so that would suggest he's better this year than he was this time last year. He seems to be in great shape."
Star rating: ****
20. Senior Chief
DJ's view: Snubbed by Rachael Blackmore for Minella Indo, but has the most able of deputies in Darragh O'Keeffe. Was a shade disappointing in the Coral Gold Cup, but looked good at Cheltenham's showcase meeting. Not without a squeak.
Henry de Bromhead, trainer: "He jumps and travels very well so you'd imagine Aintree will suit him. He was a bit disappointing at Newbury in the Coral Gold Cup but he seems right back to himself."
Star rating: ***
21. Idas Boy
DJ's view: If he wins, I'll double the prize-money myself. I don't actually have half-a-million quid to my name, but I have a feeling I won't need to go looking for it.
Richard Phillips, trainer: "He looks fantastic. I'm very pleased with him. He will enjoy ground on the easy side of good, and we’re hoping that the combination of the new trip and the fact he’s best fresh will see him run a big race."
Star rating: *
22. Fil Dor
DJ's view: There is the obvious question mark hanging over his stamina, but a mark of 150 looks fine and a flat left-handed track like Aintree might suit. His trainer is convinced he will run really well and he usually gets things like that right.
Gordon Elliott, trainer: "I genuinely think he'll run a corker here. I think the track will really suit him and he seems to be coming to the boil very nicely. He's a big price, probably bigger than he should be."
Star rating: ***
23. Broadway Boy
DJ's view: Awful in the Ultima at Cheltenham. Looks regressive. I couldn't have him on my mind.
Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant trainer: "He was disappointing at Cheltenham last time, but has been in good form since. He went with Beauport to gain experience of the National fences at Cheltenham, and jumped them well."
Star rating: *
24. Coko Beach
DJ's view: Could somebody please check this chap's birth-cert. Ten? Are you kidding me. Coko Beach seems to have been around since Brookside was on the TV. What a lovable animal, but I don't love him enough to back him. Will probably finish somewhere between fifth and tenth.
Gordon Elliott, trainer: "He's been some horse over the years. The horse of a lifetime really and I've no doubt he'll give Jody [McGarvey] a great spin."
Star rating: **
25. Stay Away Fay
DJ's view: Seems to have lost the plot. I thought he could win a Gold Cup someday a few years ago. What an idiot I was.
Paul Nicholls, trainer: "He looked so good winning the Albert Bartlett two years ago and made a flying start to his career over fences. He wasn't quite right for a while but he's definitely coming to himself now and has improved since Cheltenham, where there were little signs of a revival after a messy start. We know he stays well."
Star rating: *
26. Meetingofthewaters
DJ's view: Danny Mullins thinks he has a better chance than Minella Cocooner so that is a ringing endorsement. He travelled beautifully to the second-half in last year's race but looked like a blatant non-stayer. He's a year older now, a year stronger and he's trained by a man who could make anything walk on water. He's got a massive chance.
Danny Mullins, jockey: "It was a difficult selection picking which one to go with, but I just thought his run on soft ground in the race last year, when he didn't quite get home, was good and he has a more better chance of settling and coming home on this much drier ground."
Star rating: ****
27. Monbeg Genius
DJ's view: Bounced back to form at Uttoxeter and not badly handicapped on some of his old form. The new Monbeg Genius doesn't look as good as the old one, though.
AJ O'Neill, joint-trainer: "It's very exciting to have a runner in the race and fulfil a long-time ambition for his owner Mr Tedham. We've given him a pop over the big fences at home and he seemed to like it, he jumps and stays and hopefully he can find that bit of form from Cheltenham a few years ago. If he does, we might start getting really excited. He likes it as soft as you can get but he's run well on this sort of ground before."
Star rating: *
28. Vanillier
DJ's view: Such was the pace he thundered home in the race two years ago, it looked like he had just jumped in crossing the Melling Road for the final time. Second to Corach Rambler that day, but didn't catch fire last year. Seems in better nick 12 months on and freshened up by the banks. Nothing will be coming home better, but will he still be in contention at the second-last?
Gavin Cromwell, trainer: "He seems to be in great form. He probably lacks a gear, too, a bit like Stumptown. He'll hit a flat spot at some stage. He stays very well and hopefully he'll keep himself in a position so the race is still there for him when he gets going again. He's a really strong stayer."
Star rating: ***
29. Horantzau D'Airy
DJ's view: Form figures of 999 tells a story. You should ring that number and hand yourself in if you back him.
Michael Keady, trainer: "Ciaran [Gethings] was delighted with how he jumped over the Grand National-style fence in Newmarket. The National traditionally has some good stories attached to it and we are the latest. We only moved into Revida Place in December and now we are talking about the Grand National, which is crazy when you think about it."
Star rating: *
30. Hyland
DJ's view: Nicky Henderson has never won the Grand National, or any major National for that matter. It's a stat that doesn't sit well with me given he is one of the greatest trainers of all time. Hyland is one of his best shots. Young, improving horse who could have a bit of wiggle room off a mark of 147.
Nicky Henderson, trainer: "Hyland is doing very well and it was a great run at Kempton the last day. He proved he can handle soft ground as well, but he won't have to worry about that as he absolutely loves good ground. His jumping has been exemplary so far and he's ready."
Star rating: ***
31. Celebre D'Allen
DJ's view: No sign of him since winning at Bangor in November. Not exactly what you would call a typical Grand National prep. Hard to fancy.
Philip Hobbs, joint-trainer: "He's been placed over the National fences before. The trip is new for him but on this ground it's less of an unknown. We're not expecting him to win but if he could run well then we'd be delighted."
Star rating: *
32. Three Card Brag
DJ's view: Your 2025 Grand National winner, ladies and gentleman. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the best handicapped horse in the race, especially over this marathon trip. He would stay for years. All he does is gallop. He has got everything I want, including Sean Bowen. How on earth is he still 28-1? He shouldn't even be half that price. Wish me luck.
Gordon Elliott, trainer: "We've had this race in mind for him all season. I know some people think he needs deep ground, but I don't. I think he'll bounce off that ground and the trip should see him come into his own. I think he'll run a big race if he gets a bit of luck along the way."
Star rating: *****
33. Twig
DJ's view: Didn't see anything in the Grimthorpe at Donny which made me think he could win a Grand National. Not for me.
Ben Pauling, trainer: "He's doing well and it's been his aim all season. We're going into the unknown, like so many others based on the trip, but I do think he'll probably stay and he's jumped the Aintree fences at Cheltenham. He seems very well in himself at home. We'll take our chance and do our best, and hopefully he can run a nice race and get round. If you're in contention coming over the Melling Road then it gets a bit exciting, but until that point you have to get into a nice rhythm."
Star rating: *
34. Duffle Coat
DJ's view: Was in the process of running a big race in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham only to be brought down two out. Might have been placed had that not happened. Won't be placed here, though, despite the services of the outstanding Danny Gilligan.
Gordon Elliott, trainer: "He loves these big-field handicaps and I'm delighted he sneaked in at the bottom of the field. He was in the process of running very well at Cheltenham and I think he could surprise a few people here."
Star rating: **
David Jennings' Grand National 1-2-3-4 prediction
1 Three Card Brag
2 Appreciate It
3 Meetingofthewaters
4 Hewick
What time is the Grand National 2025?
The 2025 Grand National takes place at 4pm (BST) on Saturday, April 5. The big race will be shown live on ITV1 and Racing TV, with build-up coverage starting hours earlier.
How many runners are in the Grand National 2025?
A full field of 34 runners has been declared for the 2025 Randox Grand National..
Who is the favourite for the Grand National 2025?
As things stand, I Am Maximus is the favourite. Last year’s winner returns to Aintree for another crack at the title and heads the betting after positive vibes from trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.
Where can I watch the Grand National 2025?
You can watch the race live on ITV1 or Racing TV, with live streaming also available through most bookmaker websites and apps for registered users.
2025 Grand National at Aintree:
2025 Grand National at Aintree: the runners, the odds, the verdict
Confirmed runners and riders for the 2025 Grand National at Aintree
How to bet on the Grand National 2025: step-by-step guide for beginners with betting offers
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