This year’s Randox Grand National Handicap Chase takes place on Saturday 5rh April 2025.
The Grand National is arguably the most famous race in horse racing and one of the features of the sporting calendar. Winning the race known as “The World’s Greatest Steeplechase” writes your name in the history books forever.
It requires a true test of stamina, speed, agility and courage to win a race which is broadcast to millions of viewers throughout the world.
Stats & Trends
Irish-trained horses have won 5 of the last 7 runnings.
Lucinda Russell has won 2 of the last 7 – One for Arthur & Corach Rambler. She has Apple Away (Number 75) entered this year but is doubtful to get a run.
3 of the last 5 runnings have been won by the favourite.
- I Am Maximus (2024 – Tote win £8.00)
- Corach Rambler (2023 – Tote win £9.00)
- Tiger Roll (2019 – Tote win £5.20)
Irish horses now dominate the race (the first 4 home last year were all trained in Ireland)
Nine-year-olds have a great record in the race (Winning 48 times)
JP McManus has a strong hand in the race, with 3 of the first 4 in the betting. He’s owned two of the last four winners.
Selections
Last year’s impressive winner, I AM MAXIMUS, must be high on the list to go back-to-back in the famous race. He will have to carry top weight to repeat the feat, but the way he sprinted clear last year inside the final furlong under Paul Townend makes it seem very plausible that he could do it again this time around.
IROKO is an interesting contender, as his connections have seemingly targeted this race all season. He caught the eye of the stewards and the public last time out at Cheltenham when travelling nicely into the race and staying on to finish fourth under a handy ride. He’s the right age and has the right profile of a National winner.
Last season’s Irish Grand National winner INTENSE RAFFLES ticks a lot of the right boxes. He produced a fine performance to land the big race at Fairyhouse as only a six-year-old, staying on well in the closing stages. His prep run in the Bobbyjo Chase in February, when only narrowly denied by Nick Rockett, looks like a standout piece of form. The Grand National has been the aim this season, and he’s off a good weight to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, I Am Maximus, who won the Irish National in 2023 before winning the 2024 Grand National.
NICK ROCKETT looks tailor-made for the Grand National. He’s been steadily progressing as a staying chaser in the last two seasons, and the way he won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park suggests he’s a player. He was the choice of Paul Townend that day, which speaks volumes in itself, and he picked his rivals off one by one to win in good style. He added the G3 Bobbyjo Chase to his list of honours last time out, beating the smart Intense Raffles, and he arrives here in great form.
GRANGECLARE WEST ticks a lot of boxes for a modern day Grand National winner. A classy type who won a Grade 1 as a novice at Leopardstown, beating some smart rivals. He’s held his own at the top level since, including when second to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup in February, with Ryanair winner Fact To File in third and Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin back in fourth. The form of that race makes him impossible to ignore and he looks a great each-way play in the race.
Selections:
Combination trifecta’s – I Am Maximus, Intense Raffles, Iroko, Nick Rockett.
Combination swingers - I Am Maximus, Intense Raffles, Iroko, Nick Rockett & Grangeclare West.
I Am Maximus, Intense Raffles, Iroko, Nick Rockett & Grangeclare West (E/W)
