by Mick the Ram

One of the most prominent annual events in the UK sporting calendar takes place on Saturday 5 April with the running of the 2025 Grand National steeplechase.

The race is not only a test of the animal’s endurance, but also challenges the skills of the jockey in the saddle, as the huge field of runners chase a total prize pot of £1m, with a whopping £500,000 for the winning connections.

Not quite the same

For many traditionalists, the Grand National has lost a little of its intensity and charm with the recent reduction from what was a cut-off of 40 entries, down to its current 34 runners.

This was done for safety purposes, following the heavy falls and unfortunate deaths of numerous horses over the years, often brought down at the challenging fences by over-crowding.

The idea to change was explained as to allow the best racehorses to show their true class in the latter part of the race. Nevertheless, the fact that this new rule was introduced following on from the reduction in height and difficulty of many of the infamous jumps, has in some people’s eyes, taken away some of the romance of the race.

Still challenging fences

Those fences do however remain in place – albeit a little shorter – and represent immense obstacles to overcome, particularly on the second time around as fatigue sets in. They are made from spruce from the Lake District and their construction takes around a month to complete.

The likes of Becher’s Brook – named after a top jockey named Captain Martin Becher who sheltered in the brook below the fence from the horses leaping above his head after being unseated – is still very much a daunting proposition.

So too is the 5ft 2ins Chair, which is the tallest and broadest on the circuit and is one of only two fences that is jumped just the once, much to both horse and jockey’s probable relief.

Class can play a part

In races of such large fields such as this, luck inevitably plays a big part, but proven stamina and comfort on the course’s ground (firm, soft, heavy etc.) are key indicators.

Since the alterations were introduced there is also far greater chance that those horses with a touch of class about them can make it tell, as the race reaches its climax.

This 2025 version of the race has been majorly shaken up over the past few weeks, once the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Inothewayurthinkin, was pulled out having been the clear favourite, and as a consequence, leaving the National wide open.

Chance possible but not to the max

Last year’s winner, I Am Maximus, will still have his supporters, but he’ll be carrying a much greater weight and is unlikely to have things quite so much his own way this time around, but he remains towards the top of the odds in the betting.

There is actually very little to choose between 5 or 6 of the leading fancies. With favouritism swapping every day in the lead up to the off.

Anyone’s race

The likes of Stumptown has all the right credentials to take the race, with bags of stamina and the fact he won the same race at the Cheltenham Festival as two-time winner Tiger Roll did before his 2018 and 2019 National triumphs, is a very good pointer.  

Both Iroko – who is one that has really caught the eye, possessing that genuine class previously mentioned and who has a liking for the course having been placed on both his previous outings – and the powerful grey, Intense Raffles – who won the Irish National last year and seems to have been aimed at this race all year – are very popular with the punters.

Plenty of movement in betting markets

Hewick was bought for just £800 and is not much bigger than a pony, but he defied his short stature to win the King George in 2023, and if he can handle the fences, has to have a great chance.

However, one that has really captured the tipsters imagination in the past week is the 2023 National runner-up Vanillier. He came late that day and was still running on at the finish and whispers from his yard are that he is primed for a huge run.

Most open national in years

Perceval Legallois has an excellent profile and Minella Cocooner seems to have progressed at a rapid rate, with many believing there is still more to come, and the fact that Aintree is a left-handed track looks like it will suit him, as he tends to jump out to his left.

The lightly-raced Nick Rocket is another very much in the progressive bracket and is bred to stay all day long; whilst Grangeclare West will undoubtedly have his followers after chasing home the impressive Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup, finishing ahead Inothewayurthinkin – who was initially installed as favourite for this race.  

Others that have good chances of finishing in the first four include: Beauport, Kandoo Kid, Hyland and Senior Chief; plus Minella Indo, who was leading right up to the elbow last year, before settling for third place and with Rachel Blackmore booked for the ride, will attract a great deal of support.

Could it be a grey day?

For many, especially the once-a-year gamblers, the lure of a grey horse is hard to resist and this year 7 of the 34 runners fall into that category. That represents a fifth of the field, so the odds are pretty good for at least a place for one of them.

However, on only three previous occasions has a grey triumphed, the most recent being in 2012 when Neptune Collonges won by a nose. Therefore, punters backing either Intense Raffles, Vanillier, Hyland, Kandoo Kid, Coko Beach, Fil Dor, or Duffle Coat for a win, will need that particular trend to take a turn.