Randox Grand National
 AutoUpdating 150x150 Gif
Grade 3 Handicap,
Aintree 16:00
£1,000,000 guaranteed
7yo plus, 4m 2f 74y, Class 1  
Saturday 5th April 2025

Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid will not race before the weights are announced on February 11, according to trainer Paul Nicholls.

The grey has seen his Newbury victory repeatedly validated by subsequent performances, elevating his rating to 152. Nicholls plans to preserve this mark for the Grand National in April, where he believes Kandoo Kid has strong potential after finishing third in last season's Topham Chase.

Nicholls may consider a prep run in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury on March 1, but it's not essential as Kandoo Kid performs well fresh.

Nicholls is also preparing two other potential National runners: Bravemansgame, who might run in the Denman Chase beforehand, and Threeunderthrufive.

All eyes are on King Turgeon, the impressive six-year-old trained by David Pipe. Following his latest victory at Cheltenham on December 13, there is a growing anticipation about his potential participation in the world's most famous steeplechase.

King Turgeon has had an exceptional start to his campaign, dominating his rivals at Chepstow and then triumphing over the Grand National fences in the Grand Sefton in November. His plans were temporarily disrupted when Storm Darragh led to the abandonment of the Becher Chase, but he swiftly adapted by securing another victory at Cheltenham, completing his hat-trick in fine style.

David Pipe, who famously won the Grand National with Comply Or Die in 2008, acknowledges that there is still a discussion to be had regarding King Turgeon's Grand National bid. With a revised mark of 139, King Turgeon will likely need a further hike in the weights to ensure his place in the prestigious race. However, Pipe remains optimistic about the young horse’s continued improvement. "We haven’t done much with him since, he’s been out in the field and he seems fine. The owner is going to come to the yard and we’ll have a discussion about where we’re going to go. I thought it was a good performance in the Grand Sefton, but he put in another career-best the other day and he’s obviously young and improving."

Jumping is one of King Turgeon's key strengths, and he has shown great courage and maturity in his recent races. Pipe adds, "There’s definitely a discussion to be had (about the Grand National). He’s strengthened up a lot and he showed a lot of courage to get back up the other day. He’d have to go and win again for us to be able to even think about the National and I haven’t even had a look at the programme book for his next race yet, so we’ll see."

Irish National winner Intense Raffles is set for a campaign focused primarily on hurdles early in the season, with the ultimate goal being Aintree. Trained by Tom Gibney, the six-year-old captured the spotlight at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, in just his third race in Ireland. With an 11lb rise in his handicap mark, Gibney is intent on preserving this for the Grand National, a priority for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

“He’s in good form, training well, and causing no concerns. Most of our jumpers have been back in since the end of July, and we’re making good progress,” Gibney explained.

The main target is Aintree at season's end, with the plan to work backwards from there. They aim to start him somewhere in November, though the exact location is yet to be decided. To safeguard his chase mark, he’ll be competing mainly in hurdle races this season.

QuinnBet

2024 Randox Health Grand National
Grade 3, £1,000,000 guaranteed
7yo plus, 4m 2f 74y, Class 1
32 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    I Am Maximus 8 11-6 W P Mullins Paul Townend 7/1J
2 7½ Delta Work 11 11-4 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 28/1
3 ½ Minella Indo 11 11-6 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 28/1
4 ½ Galvin 10 11-2 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 40/1
5 1¾ Kitty's Light 8 10-7 Christian Williams Jack Tudor 12/1
6 5½ Ain't That A Shame 10 10-13 Henry De Bromhead Mr David Maxwell 40/1
7 nse Meetingofthewaters 7 10-8 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 11/1
8 5 Galia Des Liteaux 8 10-7 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 28/1
9 4¼ Roi Mage 12 10-8 Patrick Griffin James Reveley 66/1
10 4½ Limerick Lace 7 10-8 Gavin Cromwell Mark Walsh 7/1J
11 3½ Coko Beach 9 11-8 Gordon Elliott Jordan Gainford 28/1
12 3 Latenightpass 11 10-10 T Ellis Miss Gina Andrews 50/1
13 1¾ The Goffer 7 10-8 Gordon Elliott Sean Bowen 50/1
14 3¾ Vanillier 9 10-12 Gavin Cromwell Sean Flanagan 14/1
15 3 Eklat De Rire 10 10-7 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 100/1
16 5½ Capodanno 8 11-8 W P Mullins Keith Donoghue 28/1
17 3 Panda Boy 8 10-7 Martin Brassil J J Slevin 11/1
18 ¾ Nassalam 7 11-8 Gary Moore Caoilin Quinn 50/1
19 1¾ Noble Yeats 9 11-12 Emmet Mullins Harry Cobden 12/1
20 40 Eldorado Allen 10 11-0 Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell 66/1
21 13 Adamantly Chosen 7 10-9 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe 33/1
PU Mac Tottie 11 10-9 Peter Bowen James Bowen 80/1
PU Janidil 10 11-6 W P Mullins Jody McGarvey 125/1
PU Foxy Jacks 10 11-4 M F Morris Gavin Brouder 33/1
PU Stattler t 9 11-5 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 40/1
PU Farouk d'Alene 9 11-1 Gordon Elliott Donagh Meyler 100/1
PU Chemical Energy 8 10-9 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 50/1
PU Minella Crooner 8 10-10 Gordon Elliott Kevin Sexton 125/1
UR Corach Rambler 10 11-6 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 15/2
UR Mahler Mission 8 11-5 John C McConnell Ben Harvey 18/1
UR Mr Incredible 8 10-11 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 10/1
UR Glengouly 8 10-7 W P Mullins Michael O'Sullivan 100/1
NR 19 Run Wild Fred 10 10-10 Gordon Elliott NON RUNNER
NR 33 Chambard 12 10-7 Venetia Williams NON RUNNER

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