Grand National tips: One week until Aintree's 2025 showpiece

With only a week to go until the 2025 Grand National, excitement among jumps racing fans is reaching its climax.

Aintree’s iconic marathon test remains the ultimate challenge of stamina, jumping ability, and tactical nous, with 34 top-class contenders set to take on the famous Merseyside fences on April 5.

Recent safety-driven changes to field size and course conditions mean this year’s renewal presents fresh dynamics for punters and analysts alike. So, here’s an in-depth look at the key contenders and talking points ahead of the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Gold Cup hero swerves Grand National tilt

Before discussing the potential runners, it is worth mentioning the notable absentee, Inothewayurthinkin.

In my previous column, I suggested that I didn’t think this horse would – or should – line up here on the back of that outstanding Gold Cup victory.

Indeed, Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus have decided to give Aintree a miss, which prompted plenty of debate among racing fans. You can see both sides of the argument.

Whether you agree or disagree about the Gold Cup winner missing this race, though, one thing is for sure: if he had run, he would have had a fair bit in hand off 160.

Therefore, his absence makes this race even more competitive.

Who are the 2025 Grand National's leading contenders?

I Am Maximus (11/1)

I Am Maximus returns to Aintree as the reigning champion, but defending the title is a formidable challenge – one that only five horses in history have achieved, most recently Tiger Roll in 2019.

I personally can’t see him winning again off a mammoth 11-12 weight. He has had two runs this season in top-level races, and as expected, hasn’t shown much in either.

He followed a similar preparation last year, though he did pick up the Grade three Bobbyjo Chase on that occasion by 14 lengths – a race he missed this season due to a non-respiratory infection.

It’s fair to say this year’s preparation hasn’t gone entirely to plan, and I wouldn’t be a backer at the prices.

Intense Raffles (9/1)

Intense Raffles comes into this race as one of the most exciting contenders, and the current market favourite, having proven his class with a dominant victory in the Irish Grand National last year.

He was last seen finishing three-quarters of a length second to Nick Rockett in the Grade three Bobbyjo Chase, giving away three pounds to the winner.

Given that Nick Rockett is rated 163 and will carry 12 lbs more when reopposing in the National, it’s hard to see Intense Raffles not overturning the form.

His current mark of 151 still looks lenient. The only slight concern is the ground – his best runs have come on soft/heavy ground, while quicker conditions look likely. If the ground softens, he would be of major interest.

Iroko (8/1)

Iroko’s season has been a talking point throughout, with this race clearly the target. 

There have been a couple of occasions where it would be fair to say winning wasn’t a result connections wanted, for obvious reasons. And yet, while his preparation has been somewhat controversial, my biggest concern is whether his jumping will hold up over this extreme test.

That said, he does have form at Aintree, finishing four lengths second to Inothewayurthinkin in the Mildmay Novices' Chase. That form hasn't aged badly.

He is clearly ahead of the handicapper, and the step up in trip should suit – but his jumping remains a question mark for me and is enough to put me off him.

Stumptown (10/1) & Vanillier (12/1)

The next two in the market both come from the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and are trained by Gavin Cromwell.

Stumptown won that race despite not looking at his best, with Keith Donoghue having to work hard before two out. He showed real grit to win comfortably in the end – a positive for this type of test.

He clearly handles Aintree’s fences, but it’s a big ask to complete a Cross Country-Grand National double off a big weight.

Vanillier as mentioned finished two places back in third that day. He was forced to race from the rear after almost going the wrong route.

He was disappointing last season but bounced back with a dominant 18-length win in a Cross Country Chase in February and blinkers look to have unlocked him again.

He returns here off the same mark as in 2023 (where he was second to Corach Rambler) and looks to have a huge chance. He would be my pick at this stage.

Hewick (11/1)

The big story horse in National Hunt racing during 2023 was the King George winner, Hewick.

I am sure everyone has heard the story about his €800 pricetag enough times now. If the ground stays good/good to soft which looks likely, he becomes a very interesting contender.

He isn’t too harshly weighted, jumps well, and shaped as though he’d stay this trip. He’s been well backed over the last week and is now 11/1 and he’s one on my shortlist.

Perceval Legallois (16/1)

Another Gavin Cromwell-trained runner, Perceval Legallois, is likely to be the choice of Mark Walsh, as I expect Paul Townend to be on I Am Maximus and Jonjo O’Neill Jr. on Iroko.

He has won two competitive handicaps at Leopardstown, most recently over hurdles – likely a tactical move to protect his chase mark for this race.

If he stays the trip, there could be even more to come.

Kandoo Kid (20/1)

The leading hope for Paul Nicholls, Kandoo Kid has been targeted at this race for some time.

He was a good winner of the Coral Gold Cup in November, though his more recent run was underwhelming. That said, it was likely just a fitness exercise in preparation for this.

As for having a bet on him, I think there will better handicapped/classier horses in this field at similar prices.

Two 2025 Grand National outsiders worth a second look

Meetingofthewaters (22/1) & Three Card Brag (25/1)

Meetingofthewaters finished seventh in last year’s Grand National, making him the best-placed seven-year-old in the race.

He also ran a strong race in the Ultima last year on heavy ground. Now a year older and only one pound higher than last season, he could run well again.

Three Card Brag is not guaranteed a spot in the field and needs five horses to drop out. If he sneaks in, though, he looks well-handicapped and could go very well off a low weight.

Harry Fowler's Grand National 2025 tip

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