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

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will not compete, trainer Gavin Cromwell has confirmed. The seven-year-old, owned by JP McManus, was the race favorite after his impressive Gold Cup victory but will not attempt to become only the second horse to win both prestigious races after Golden Miller in 1934. Cromwell cited the horse’s young age and ongoing development as reasons for the decision.

With Inothewayurthinkin withdrawn, Intense Raffles is now the 6-1 favorite, while McManus still has strong contenders in Iroko and last year’s winner, I Am Maximus. The Grand National betting has become more open following this change. Inothewayurthinkin may conclude his season at the Punchestown Gold Cup, though that remains uncertain.

Following his victory in the Follow @ToteRacing On Twitter Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, the Willie Mullins-trained Nick Rockett was shortened to 12-1.

The Bobbyjo Chase was a key National trial, though it lost some of its intrigue with the absence of last year’s Grand National champion I Am Maximus, ruled out due to an infection. That withdrawal led to jockey Paul Townendswitching to Nick Rockett, originally set to ride I Am Maximus. Sent off the 5-6 favourite, Nick Rockett was content to track Intense Raffles, who attempted to make all the running. The two remained locked together heading into the final three fences, but Nick Rockett’s stamina and class showed as he edged out his rival by three-quarters of a length, despite Intense Raffles conceding 3lb.

Trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has yet to decide who will ride Hewick on April 5. The 10-year-old, a bargain €850 purchase and 2023 King George winner, impressed with a recent victory at Thurles under Hanlon’s 17-year-old son Paddy. However, Paddy is ineligible to ride at Aintree, so Hewick will be partnered by a more experienced jockey.

Hanlon will discuss options with owner T J McDonald, with Gavin Sheehan, who won the King George on Hewick, and regular rider Jordan Gainford as the leading candidates. Hanlon emphasized the long-term plan for Hewick to target the Grand National and hopes for a bit of luck on the day.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is preparing a two-pronged attack on the race with Beauport and Broadway Boy. Both horses recently impressed during a schooling session over Aintree-style fences at Cheltenham's cross-country course, signaling their readiness for the upcoming challenge.​

Beauport, a nine-year-old gelding, has demonstrated his stamina and form by winning the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter last year and the Berkshire National at Ascot earlier this season. He also finished third in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Christmas and performed admirably over hurdles at Haydock last month. Currently, Beauport is assigned a weight of 11st 1lb for the Grand National and is listed at odds of 33-1. ​

Broadway Boy, a seven-year-old, carries the hopes of owner David Proos, whose family colors finished third in the 1990 Grand National with Rinus. Despite a disappointing run in the Ultima at Cheltenham, connections believe the quicker ground was a factor, and plan to equip him with cheekpieces for the National. Broadway Boy is assigned a weight of 10st 9lb and is also listed at odds of 33-1.

Both horses would prefer softer ground conditions, and the team is hopeful that watering will occur before the race.

BetGoodwin

Randox Health Grand National
Grade 3, £1,000,000 guaranteed
7yo plus, 4m 2f 74y, Class 1
66 remaining entries
Going:

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Mar 19)
1 311-P8 I Am Maximus 9 11-12 W P Mullins
2 F-1P66 Royale Pagaille 11 11-9 Venetia Williams
3 73-411 Nick Rockett 8 11-8 W P Mullins
4 24-31P L'Homme Presse 10 11-8 Venetia Williams
5 1-P625 Grangeclare West 9 11-8 W P Mullins
6 232571 Hewick 10 11-7 John Joseph Hanlon
7 443-26 Minella Indo 12 11-3 Henry De Bromhead
8 2-5351 Appreciate It 11 11-2 W P Mullins
9 0-8P43 Capodanno 9 11-2 W P Mullins
10 1-5894 Minella Cocooner 9 11-2 W P Mullins
11 U58708 Conflated 11 11-2 Gordon Elliott
12 -U1111 Stumptown 8 11-2 Gavin Cromwell
13 83-222 Hitman 9 11-1 Paul Nicholls
14 1P-132 Beauport 9 11-1 Nigel Twiston-Davies
15 6-2383 Bravemansgame 10 11-0 Paul Nicholls
16 9-5515 Chantry House 11 10-13 Nicky Henderson
17 210-32 Threeunderthrufive 10 10-12 Paul Nicholls
18 286411 Perceval Legallois 8 10-12 Gavin Cromwell
19 P23-18 Kandoo Kid 9 10-11 Paul Nicholls
20 2-2F42 Iroko 7 10-11 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
21 11-902 Intense Raffles 7 10-10 Thomas Gibney
22 1P-169 Senior Chief 8 10-10 Henry De Bromhead
23 F03106 Idas Boy 11 10-10 Richard Phillips
24 2UP-PR Mr Incredible 9 10-9 Sandy Thomson
25 212433 Fil Dor 7 10-9 Gordon Elliott
26 5-324P Broadway Boy 7 10-9 Nigel Twiston-Davies
27 U50029 Coko Beach 10 10-9 Gordon Elliott
NR 52PP-P Farouk d'Alene 10 10-9 Gary Brown NON-RUNNER
29 3PP-P0 Stay Away Fay 8 10-9 Paul Nicholls
30 P1-028 Velvet Elvis 9 10-7 Gavin Cromwell
31 2P-1P9 Minella Drama 10 10-7 Donald McCain
32 37-008 Meetingofthewaters 8 10-7 W P Mullins
33 5P-241 Monbeg Genius 9 10-6 Jonjo & A J O'Neill
34 -P6913 Vanillier 10 10-6 Gavin Cromwell
35 F22999 Horantzau d'Airy 8 10-6 Michael Keady
36 141122 Hyland 8 10-6 Nicky Henderson
37 45U4-1 Celebre d'Allen 13 10-6 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
38 9-1PP7 Fontaine Collonges 10 10-6 Venetia Williams
39 -33713 Three Card Brag 8 10-5 Gordon Elliott
40 -1P65P Minella Crooner 9 10-5 Gordon Elliott
41 5-2P77 Twig 10 10-5 Ben Pauling
42 /1P1/6 Quick Wave 12 10-5 Venetia Williams
43 352P4B Duffle Coat 8 10-4 Gordon Elliott
44 10-F50 Shakem Up'arry 11 10-4 Ben Pauling
45 9-2157 Roi Mage 13 10-4 Patrick Griffin
46 1-8331 Favori De Champdou 10 10-3 Gordon Elliott
47 1-423P Fantastic Lady 10 10-3 Nicky Henderson
48 9-34U9 Yeah Man 8 10-3 Gavin Cromwell
49 3P-111 Mr Vango 9 10-2 Mrs Sara V Bradstock
50 1-P0UP Macdermott 7 10-2 W P Mullins
51 63-225 Mister Coffey 10 10-2 Nicky Henderson
52 P3P046 Chemical Energy 9 10-2 Gordon Elliott
53 -P4300 Desertmore House 10 10-1 Martin Brassil
54 54-323 Malina Girl 8 10-1 Gavin Cromwell
55 -4232P Richmond Lake 9 10-1 Donald McCain
56 41P314 La Renommee 7 10-0 Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole
57 15310P Stuzzikini 7 9-13 Gordon Elliott
58 1113PP King Turgeon 7 9-13 David Pipe
59 02-2U3 Surrey Quest 8 9-12 Toby Lawes
60 11-47P Cruz Control 8 9-12 Tom Lacey
61 -4222P Apple Away 8 9-11 Lucinda Russell
62 -0664P Busselton 8 9-11 Joseph O'Brien
63 6-P074 Spanish Harlem 7 9-11 W P Mullins
64 4-2316 Famous Bridge 9 9-9 Nicky Richards
65 0-P448 Escaria Ten 11 9-7 Martin Keighley
66 8-P0FP Where It All Began 9 9-7 Gordon Elliott
67 0/6-6P Pats Fancy 10 9-3 Rebecca Curtis

Odds catcher