Some Grand National bettors pick their horse based on nothing but their wacky name, but others opt to take into consideration form and other factors to make a more informed decision.
So, for those that are that way inclined, Coral runs through each of the horses competing in this year's Grand National, kicking things off with the favourite, I Am Maximus.
Bet on the 2025 Grand National - Runner-by-Runner Guide
I Am Maximus - 4 stars
Last year’s hugely impressive winner of the race returns to defend his crown, and while things haven’t quite gone to plan on his two starts so far this season, no doubt Willie Mullins will have planned his whole campaign with a return to Aintree in mind. An 8lb rise for last year’s win isn’t insurmountable, and if he turns up in the same form as last year, then he’d have an excellent chance of winning back-to-back Grand Nationals.
Royale Pagaille - 2 stars
Victory at his beloved Haydock in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase back in November suggested Venetia Williams’ veteran was set for another big season, but Royale Pagaille has really struggled in his three runs since that win, and he now arrives at Aintree with plenty to prove. On heavy ground, he’d have been worth a second look, but it’s hard to see him getting involved if the dry forecast materialises.
Despite a disappointing showing when sent off the 4-1 favourite for last year’s Irish Grand National, Nick Rockett has put that effort firmly so far this year, and Willie Mullins’ second-season chaser arrives here in excellent form following victories in both the Thyestes and the Bobbyjo Chase. The majority of his best form has come with cut in the ground though, and he doesn’t look particularly well handicapped off a mark of 163, so while he could show up well for a long way, others make more appeal from a win perspective.
Grangeclare West - 4 stars
Another for Willie Mullins, and while his form has been hit or miss this year, his second in the Irish Gold Cup ahead of Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin and Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File is one of the standout pieces of form in the race. Having never raced over further than 3m, his stamina for this marathon test will have to be taken on trust, but Grangeclare West could still be improving, and there’s no doubt he has the class to win this if on a going day
Hewick - 5 stars
Can the £800 horse really win the biggest prize in national hunt racing? Shark Hanlon certainly thinks so, and following his victory over hurdles at Thurles a few weeks ago, he seemingly arrives at Aintree in rude health this weekend. Hewick was pulled-up in the Midlands National two years ago on his only start over a trip this long, but he does have two victories over 3m 5f to his name, so stamina shouldn’t be an issue under a quiet Gavin Sheehan ride. Hewick’s jumping technique looks tailor-made for the Grand National fences, and everything is pointing towards a massive run from the 2022 King George winner
Minella Indo - 3 stars
Bidding to become the first 12-y-o winner of the race since Amberleigh House 21 years ago, Minella Indo arrives here off a 1lb lower mark than when third in the race last year. The forecast quicker ground shouldn’t be an issue for him, and while he has place claims once again, it would be a surprise if he was to win this at the age of 12
Appreciate It - 2 stars
It looked like he was going to go right to the very top after a 24-length victory in 2021 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, but things have never quite materialised for Appreciate It since then. Another contender who has plenty of class on his day, but he’s never truly convinced that he stays 3m, never mind the marathon trip he’ll encounter here
Minella Cocooner - 4 stars
Has been flying too high this season in Grade 1 races, and has predictably struggled to make his mark at the highest level. Has come down in the weights a little as a result, and he showed a bit more in the Bobbyjo Chase behind Nick Rockett when looking outpaced last time out. His best efforts have come over marathon trips in the past, and good ground should be fine, so he looks a lively contender for the Closutton team
Conflated - 1 star
Formerly very smart, and was not beaten far by Jonbon last year at this meeting in the Grade 1 Melling Chase. Form has fallen off a cliff this year though, and even at his peak he didn’t look like he wanted to go this far. Very difficult to make a case for
Stumptown - 4 stars
Comes here in pursuit of a five-timer following his impressive victory in the Cross Country race at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He usually jumps well, he’s a strong stayer, and he looks well handicapped off a mark of 157, so he certainly ticks a lot of boxes. His trainer is having a fine season, and there’s no reason why Stumptown couldn’t cap it off with a win in one of the biggest races of all
Hitman - 1 star
Although he’s yet to get his head in front this year, he has been in much more consistent form than in previous campaigns. However, all of his form has come over much shorter trips, and it’s hard to see him getting home on this first start over this marathon trip
Beausport - 3 stars
Owner won the race back in 1983 with Corbiere, and he might have another lively contender here in the shape of Beauport. Would probably be of more interest with cut in the ground, but he has been in good form this season, and his win in last year’s Midlands National indicates that he should relish this test
Bravemansgame - 2 stars
Another runner who was without doubt high-class on his day, but he hasn’t been operating at the same level this term. Has always been an excellent jumper, so the fences shouldn’t pose a problem, but he’s maybe not the force of old, and he’s never looked the most thorough stayer either
Chantry House - 2 stars
Has some good form to his name over fences, but has done the majority of his racing in recent years over the smaller obstacles. Returned to chasing with a bang at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, but was since beaten out of sight in the Cotswald Chase over the same C&D, and it’s hard to make a solid case for him off the back of that effort
Threeunderthrufive - 3 stars
Has some very solid form to his name, and his fourth in the Scottish National two years ago proves he can compete over these marathon trips. Best form has come on decent ground, so conditions shouldn’t be a problem, and he could well outrun his odds if taking to the fences
Perceval Legallois - 4 stars
Has been put up for the race by some shrew judges in recent days, and arrives here in good form after a win over hurdles at Leopardstown in February. Will be running off an 11lb higher mark than for his win in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas, but he could hardly have been more impressive, and he had a few of these in behind him that day. Solid claims
Kandoo Kid - 3 stars
Has done the majority of his racing over shorter trips, but put up a career-best to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury back in November. Wasn’t in the same form back at that venue in the Greatwood last month, but will have been primed for this, and if he stays the trip, then he might not be far away
Iroko - 4 stars
This has been the plan for a long time for Iroko, and he’s caught the attention of the stewards on more than one occasion this season. Is prone to a jumping error, so interesting to see how he handles this test, but his second to Inothewayurthinkin here last year reads well, and connections might have done a good job of getting him in here off a mark of 152
Intense Raffles - 3 stars
Has been at the head of the market for this over the last few weeks, and this has clearly been the plan since his victory in the Irish National at Fairyhouse last year. Was a good second to Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase back at that venue last time, and while he’s a fascinating contender, this quicker ground is an unknown
Senior Chief - 3 stars
Started the season off in good order with a win at Cheltenham, but slightly disappointed in the Coral Gold Cup next time when he was fancied at 9-2. Not a terrible run over hurdles at Naas last time, but was pulled-up in last year’s Irish National, and he’s another who arrives here with stamina doubts
Idas Boy - 1 star
Won a competitive race over fences at Kilbeggan last summer for Noel Meade, but well beaten in the Galway Plate next time, and was beaten a long way on his first start for this yard over hurdles at Doncaster last month. Makes limited appeal
Fil Dor - 1 star
Just the one win from six starts so far this season, but has ran well in defeat on more than one occasion. Has a number of good pieces of form to his name, but another who arrives here with major stamina doubts
Broadway Boy - 2 stars
Good second behind Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury earlier in the season. Really disappointing 5-6 favourite at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day though, and pulled up back there in last month’s Ultima at the festival. Could give him a chance on his best form, but whether he’ll show that is a another matter
Coko Beach - 1 star
Appeared the type that would relish this sort of test, but has really disappointed on his three visits here so far. Had a disappointing season so far by his standards, and it would be a big shock if he was anywhere to be seen at the business end
Stay Away Fay - 1 star
Classy on his day, but has been in desperate form so far this season, and although his run in the Ultima last time was slightly better, he was still 44 lengths behind the winner. Another who’d have claims on his best form, but impossible to fancy on what he’s shown of late
Meetingofthewaters - 3 stars
Fancied for this last year off a similar mark, but possibly didn’t quite get home on his first start over the trip. Might fair better on better ground this time, but his form so far this year has been questionable. Not completely written off, but others make more appeal
Monbeg Genius - 3 stars
Bounced back to form lately after a spell in the doldrums, and his win at Uttoxeter last time wasn’t far off a career-best. 5lb rise for that could be lenient, so while others appeal more from a win perspective, wouldn’t be a major shock if he hit the frame
Vanillier - 4 stars
Runner-up to Corach Rambler in this two years ago when possibly given a bit too much to do, but was very disappointing here last year when midfield, beaten over 40 lengths. Been in good form in cross country races of late though, and he was possibly unlucky not to finish closer to the winner at Cheltenham last time. Definite player if on song
Horantz d’Airy - 1 star
Few bits of decent form in the autumn when trained by Willie Mullins, but signed off his spell in Ireland with some really disappointing efforts, and starts off for a new yard with major questions to answer. Best to look elsewhere
Hyland - 3 stars
Consistent performer, only finishing out the top two once in his last seven starts. Put in his place though by Katate Dori last time in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton. Potentially still has more to come for his powerful yard, but vulnerable to classier types in this
Celebre d’Allen - 1 star
Bidding to become the first 13-y-o to win the race in over a decade, but did put up a career-best to win at Bangor-on-Dee back in November. Likeable veteran, but surely biting off more than he can chew here
Three Card Brag - 4 star
Always looked a thorough stayer, even in his novice hurdle days, and although he’s only got one win under his belt over fences, he does have some good efforts in defeat to his name. Possibly would have preferred a bit of cut in the ground, but has the assistance of Sean Bowen in the saddle, and he might have got in off a good mark here.
Twig - 2 stars
Good second to Chianti Classico in last year’s Ultima, but form has been patchy since then, and was well beaten in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster off this mark last time. Hard to make a solid case for.
Duffle Coat - 1 star
Ran well to finish second in the Galway Plate last summer, but nothing has gone right for him since then. Will relish the good ground, but too many questions to answer now to be a serious contenders
