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Grand National – Pinstickers' guide

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: A general view as runners approach 'The Chair' during The Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase on the Opening Day at Aintree Racecourse on April 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
The Chair is arguably the most challenging obstacle on the Grand National course at 1.57m in height, and it has a 1.83m ditch in front of it

A guide to the world's most famous steeplechase, including all the runners, riders, trainers and form.

(Racecard number, horse, trainer, jockey, recent form, age, weight carried Form: F - Fell, P - Pulled up, U - Unseated rider, S - Slipped up)

4.00 Aintree Randox Grand National 4m2½f

1 I AM MAXIMUS Rating (out of 10) 8

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend

Form: 82-925 Age: 10 Weight: 11-12 Odds: 9-1

Won two years ago and second last year. He would be emulating none other than Red Rum, though, if he were to win a second National having lost in the interim.

3 BANBRIDGE 5

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Jockey: JJ Slevin

Form: 7-4423 Age: 10 Weight: 11-11 Odds: 50-1

Winner of the 2024 King George so there is no denying his class. Three miles is the upper end of his stamina limit, however, so a leap of faith needed over this far.

4 GRANGECLARE WEST 8

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Patrick Mullins

Form: 5-8481 Age: 10 Weight: 11-10 Odds: 9-1

Third 12 months ago and would have gone close to winning without a bad mistake at the last. His campaign has been built around a return bid and impressed in the Bobbyjo on his last outing.

5 GERRI COLOMBE 7

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jack Kennedy

Form: 3-P321 Age: 10 Weight: 11-10 Odds: 33-1

A one-time top-class performer, he returned from a couple of years in the wilderness to win last time out. Logic suggests his best days may be behind him.

6 HAITI COULEURS 9

Trainer: Rebecca Curtis Jockey: Sean Bowen

Form: 1P11P Age: 9 Weight: 11-10 Odds: 28-1

Had he not run in the Gold Cup he would have a massive chance. Aiming for history having already won the Irish and Welsh Nationals so clearly loves a marathon test. Still a big player.

8 FIREFOX 6

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Keith Donoghue

Form: 21246 Age: 8 Weight: 11-4 Odds: 50-1

All his best performances had been between two and two and a half miles until he was a fair fourth in the Irish Gold Cup. Beaten a relatively long way at Cheltenham and this trip surely beyond him.

9 MONTY’S STAR 6

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe

Form: 4-3056 Age: 9 Weight: 11-3 Odds: 12-1

Has perhaps not quite lived up to early expectations but has still been running to a good level. This looks to have been his target this year and could not rule out a big run.

10 SPANISH HARLEM 7

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Brian Hayes

Form: 11PUP Age: 8 Weight: 11-3 Odds: 50-1

May have been overlooked given strength of stable. Should have won Thyestes Chase on penultimate run before unseating at the last but does need to put poor last run behind him.

11 LECKY WATSON 5

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe

Form: F77P8 Age: 8 Weight: 11-2 Odds: 50-1

Won at the Cheltenham Festival last year when he looked just the type for this race but he has struggled this season. Back in handicap company might spark a revival but it needs to.

12 CHAMP KIELY 4

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins

Form: 12S57 Age: 10 Weight: 11-1 Odds: 33-1

Beat Ballyburn at the Punchestown Festival but after a good first run this season it has been downhill ever since. With stamina to prove also there are plenty of negatives.

13 IROKO 8

Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr

Form: 24-210 Age: 8 Weight: 11-1 Odds: 16-1

Went off favourite 12 months ago when he ran a stormer for a seven-year-old to finish fourth. He looked even better this season before scoping dirty at Cheltenham and another worry is if he will take to it again.

14 FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU 6

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Danny Gillgan

Form: 05F112 Age: 11 Weight: 11-1 Odds: 40-1

Has found a new lease of life over cross country fences this year and that worked for Tiger Roll. This lad is 11, though, and looks handicapped to the hilt.

15 THREE CARD BRAG 5

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Gainford

Form: 82127 Age: 9 Weight: 11-0 Odds: 66-1

In great form in the first half of the season, winning at Cheltenham and finishing second in Coral Gold Cup. Beaten a long way in the Bobbyjo after a mid-season break and hard to fancy after that.

16 OSCARS BROTHER 10

Trainer: Connor King Jockey: Daniel King

Form: 2211114 Age: 8 Weight: 10-13 Odds: 16-1

Had looked a bit of a mudlark as he rattled up a hat-trick in novice chases this winter but proved at Cheltenham he can handle quicker ground. Still at the right end of the handicap and stays all day.

17 MR VANGO 4

Trainer: Sara Bradstock Jockey: Jack Tudor

Form: 11-2PP Age: 10 Weight: 10-12 Odds: 66-1

This time last year he would have been a major player but he failed to make the cut and unfortunately his last two runs have seen the wheels come off. Would need a bog to get competitive.

18 HIGH CLASS HERO 4

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: James Bowen

Form: 23-2PP Age: 9 Weight: 10-11 Odds: 66-1

Getting this one to win might even be beyond Willie Mullins. A beaten favourite when third in the bet365 Gold Cup at the end of last season, his form has fallen off a cliff of late.

19 STELLAR STORY 8

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Robbie Dunne

Form: 2-3383 Age: 9 Weight: 10-11 Odds: 33-1

Has been mixing it with the best around for a few years now and while he has come up short, he now looks well handicapped. Much better off with Grangeclare West and Gerri Colombe from their last meeting.

20 BEAUPORT 6

Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Form: 20-4P4 Age: 10 Weight: 10-11 Odds: 80-1

Looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself for the first half of the race last year but he did too much too soon and faded into 12th. Due to be ridden more conservatively this year.

21 CAPTAIN CODY 7

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Jonathan Burke

Form: 1-37F5 Age: 8 Weight: 10-10 Odds: 20-1

Won last year’s Scottish National and has been trained since then with this day in mind. Drying ground would be in his favour and no forlorn hope if he takes to the fences.

22 JAGWAR 7

Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Mark Walsh

Form: 11-322 Age: 7 Weight: 10-10 Odds: 8-1

Seen by some as the perfect type for the race but the big problem he has got is he keeps finding ways to get beaten. Arguably should have won at Cheltenham and if he gets behind early here he could struggle.

23 PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS 6

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Harry Cobden

Form: 11F-P4 Age: 9 Weight: 10-9 Odds: 28-1

Won two big handicaps in Ireland last season and was well fancied for this but fell too early in the race to say how he would have gone. Little to recommend on what he has done this season.

24 GORGEOUS TOM 6

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Sean Flanagan

Form: 4-4245 Age: 8 Weight: 10-9 Odds: 22-1

Looked a promising novice chaser last season without being out of the top drawer. A good run over a trip too short first time out was followed by fourth in the Coral Gold Cup and this looks to have been the plan since.

25 THE REAL WHACKER 5

Trainer: Patrick Neville Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

Form: 54-256 Age: 10 Weight: 10-9 Odds: 66-1

Was a Grade One winner at Cheltenham as a novice but has generally struggled since bar winning last season’s Charlie Hill. Front-running type who could outrun his odds.

26 QUAI DE BOURBON 8

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Donagh Meyler

Form: B3-PP3 Age: 7 Weight: 10-9 Odds: 40-1

Might not quite have the reputation of some of his stablemates but could be coming in under the radar. Third in the Irish National last year and he came back to something like his best last time out.

27 ANSWER TO KAYF 5

Trainer: Terence O'Brien Jockey: John Shinnick

Form: 0-6144 Age: 10 Weight: 10-8 Odds: 100-1

Has been a great horse for connections and won the Troytown in November. That saw him shoot up the weights and likely faces a stiff task as a result.

28 JORDANS 4

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Jockey: Ben Jones

Form: 2-85P0 Age: 7 Weight: 10-8 Odds: 28-1

Looked a nice prospect last season and put up a career-best when second in Grade One company at this meeting last year. Struggled this season and big stamina doubts.

29 FINAL ORDERS 7

Form: P63151 Age: 10 Weight: 10-5 Odds: 25-1

Completed his transformation from two-miler to dour stayer when winning the Cross Country at Cheltenham. Has a touch of class and Tiger Roll proved the double can be done.

30 MARBLE SANDS 4

Trainer: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson Jockey: Tom Bellamy

Form: 250-12 Age: 10 Weight: 10-5 Odds: 80-1

Got round over the Topham fences last year albeit well beaten but has been in good heart this year, winning at Cheltenham and second in the Rowland Meyrick. Looks up against it here.

31 PANIC ATTACK 7

Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton

Form: 2-1113 Age: 10 Weight: 10-5 Odds: 8-1

Have been a revelation this season, pulling off the Paddy Power/Coral Gold Cup double. Tapped for toe over two and a half miles at Cheltenham, if she stays this trip she looks a big player.

32 TOP OF THE BILL 4

Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell

Form: P1-192 Age: 10 Weight: 10-05 Odds: 66-1

Has found a niche running well in quite valuable staying handicaps and was last seen finishing second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. This is a different kettle of fish.

33 JOHNNYWHO 8

Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O'Neill Jockey: Richie McLernon

Form: 5-5352 Age: 9 Weight: 10-04 Odds: 11-1

Looked an unlucky loser last season at Cheltenham and after a quiet campaign made amends when he returned there last month. He is 6lb well-in and has to be on any shortlist.

34 TWIG 5

Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Beau Morgan

Form: 70-117 Age: 11 Weight: 10-04 Odds: 50-1

Ran better than his finishing position suggests last year and proved he likes the fences once again when winning the Becher earlier this season. Still looks up against it.

36 IMPERIAL SAINT 6

Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Callum Pritchard

Form: 2-5618 Age: 8 Weight: 10-02 Odds: 50-1

Something of a course specialist on the Mildmay track but this is a bit different. Would be slightly ironic were he to win being owned by Richard Johnson, who had 21 rides in the race without success.

37 AMIRITE 3

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Phillip Enright

Form: P140P Age: 10 Weight: 10-02 Odds: 100-1

Fourth in the Galway Plate but two big disappointments since. Hard to see him playing a part in the finish.

VERDICT

With the race changing shape every year, it should be no surprise if more and more novices take aim at it before the handicapper can have a proper go at assessing them. Top of the list this year is OSCARS BROTHER, who rattled up a sequence in deep winter ground before showing he had a touch of class and could handle a quicker surface when fourth to Kitzbuhel at Cheltenham. Had Haiti Couleurs not run at Cheltenham he would have been a very strong fancy but he has already bounced back from one poor run this year to win the Welsh National. Others who can make the frame include Stellar Story and Quai De Bourbon.

1 OSCARS BROTHER 2 Haiti Couleurs 3 Stellar Story 4 Quai De Bourbon

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