So the big one is upon us - The day when every person chooses their horse to win in the hardest race of the year to pick a winner! In the Racing List itself, we have picked a huge priced selection, however we know how this one goes and the unpredictable nature of the race historically… With this in mind, we have selected 5 horses for this one race that we would advise you to take a close look at. We will be backing all of these each way for some fun in the big one, but encourage you to have fun and enjoy!

Grand National 2025 Preview: Five Key Selections

With a full field set for the 2025 Randox Grand National (4m 2f 74y, 38 runners), we’ve picked out five horses that have strong credentials and fit many past trends for this unique marathon. Below we break down each selection’s key stats – age, weight, rating, connections – and explain why they could go well. 

Vanillier

• Age: 10
  

• Weight: 10 st 6 lb (66.2 kg) – carrying a nice low weight
  

• Official Rating (OR): 147
  

• Trainer: Gavin Cromwell; Jockey: Sean Flanagan
  

• Notable: Runner-up in the 2023 Grand National (beaten 2¼ lengths)
  

Vanillier brings proven Aintree experience and stamina. He finished 2nd of 39 in last year’s Grand National   , handling the big fences and marathon 4¼-mile trip impressively. That effort showed he stays all day and can navigate the unique National course – huge pluses for this race. He’s also a former Cheltenham Festival winner (3m Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in 2021), underlining his class and endurance early in his career. Now carrying just 10 st 6 lb, he fits the trend of many recent National winners who carried around 10–11 st. At age 10, he’s within the ideal age range (8 to 11-year-olds have dominated this race historically). His current mark of OR 147 is similar to last year’s winner’s rating, suggesting he’s not too high in the handicap. Recent Racing Post Ratings (RPRs) in the mid-150s for his best runs (including an RPR around 158 when second here in 2023) show he still has the ability to run at a high level. If Vanillier reproduces anything close to other performances, this strong stayer could be in the mix once again – and at rewarding odds.

I Am Maximus

• Age: 9
  

• Weight: 11 st 12 lb (75.3 kg) – top weight in the field
  

• Official Rating: 167  
  

• Trainer: Willie Mullins; Jockey: Paul Townend

This is the class horse of the race. I Am Maximus carries top weight of 11 st 12 lb (the heaviest assignment, reflecting his high OR 167) and for good reason – he won this last year and the Irish Grand National in 2023. In that 3¾-mile Grade 1 handicap at Fairyhouse, he outstayed a big field of 27 on heavy ground, proving his stamina and big-field prowess. That win earned him a hefty rating, but it confirms he has the quality to defy big weights. At age 9 he’s in his prime (nine-year-olds have a solid record in the National), and he’s trained by Willie Mullins with Paul Townend up – the same combo took the Irish National, and Mullins is a master at preparing stayers. Historically, carrying top weight at Aintree is a challenge (few horses manage to win the National off such a high burden), but I Am Maximus is the kind of exceptionally classy stayer who could buck that trend. He’s been posting RPRs in the mid-150s to 160 range in his wins, indicating he can run to a mark high enough to overcome weight disadvantages. His jumping is generally sound and he has the tactical speed and endurance to hold a position in the pack. If his class carries him into the late stages, I Am Maximus could be the one to outclass the field – even with 166 lb on his back.

Threeunderthrufive

• Age: 10
  

• Weight: 10 st 12 lb (68.9 kg)
  

• Official Rating: 153  
  

• Trainer: Paul Nicholls; Jockey: Harry Skelton
  

• Notable: 4th in the 2023 Scottish Grand National (4m, Ayr)  
  

A strong, proven stayer, Threeunderthrufive has the profile of a Grand National horse. He was a close 4th in last year’s Scottish Grand National (4m), showing he stays extreme distances well. That run came on good ground over 4 miles, where he kept on gamely – exactly what you want to see for Aintree’s 4m2f test. He carries 10–12 here, a very workable weight, and his OR 153 means he has a touch of class without being overburdened. At age 10, he’s seasoned but not too old. Notably, he’s coming into form: this past winter he logged back-to-back runner-up finishes in competitive long-distance handicaps (including a strong 2nd over 3m2f at Cheltenham in December)   . In those races he earned RPRs in the high-140s, indicating he’s running up to his mark. Threeunderthrufive is a sound jumper with plenty of experience over fences (he’s been consistent in big fields and has only one fall/unseat in his record). Trainer Paul Nicholls knows what it takes to win this race, and jockey Harry Skelton’s aggressive but balanced riding style should suit the horse’s front-running/prompt galloping rhythm. Threeunderthrufive also ticks trend boxes: 10-year-olds have thrived historically, and many winners had proven form in other Nationals or marathon chases. With his stamina assured and solid form, he has every chance to be there at the business end.

Monbeg Genius

• Age: 9
  

• Weight: 10 st 6 lb (66.2 kg)
  

• Official Rating: 147  
  

• Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey: Nick Scholfield
  

• Notable: 3rd in the 2023 Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, 23 runners)  
  

Monbeg Genius is a progressive handicap chaser who has been knocking on the door in big events. He was an excellent 3rd in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival   , a 23-runner, 3m1f race that often serves as a trial for future Grand National types. In that race he finished just 2¼ lengths behind Corach Rambler (who, notably, won the Grand National a month later), which boosts confidence in Monbeg Genius’s ability to compete at this level. He stays well – he followed up with a respectable 3rd in the Coral Gold Cup (3m2f handicap at Newbury in December), and his recent form includes a win in early 2024, so he arrives in good heart. With only 10 st 6 lb on his back, he’s one of the lighter-weighted contenders, fitting the trend of many past winners who carried under 11 stone. His OR 147 is identical to Vanillier’s, suggesting he’s on a lenient mark given his upward trajectory. Monbeg Genius is trained by Grand National-winning trainer Jonjo O’Neill, and although jockey Nick Scholfield hasn’t won this race, he’s a seasoned rider over fences. In terms of trends, 9-year-olds have a great record and horses that showed form at the Cheltenham Festival often run well at Aintree. Monbeg Genius’s RPRs have been in the mid-140s lately, right in line with what’s needed here. He has yet to tackle beyond 3¼ miles, but the way he finishes his races (staying on strongly up the hill at Cheltenham) indicates that the extra distance could unlock even more. Don’t be surprised to see this low-weighted improver running a big race and outrunning his odds.

Stumptown

• Age: 8
  

• Weight: 11 st 2 lb (70.8 kg)
  

• Official Rating: 157  
  

• Trainer: Gavin Cromwell; Jockey: Keith Donoghue
  

• Notable: Close 2nd in the 2023 Kim Muir Chase (3m2f, Cheltenham)   ; won a 3m5f handicap chase at Cheltenham in Dec 2024  
  

Stumptown is an up-and-coming staying chaser who has shown a real affinity for marathon trips. As a 7-year-old last season, he nearly won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham – finishing a close 2nd of 23 in that 3m2f amateur riders’ chase    – which demonstrated his talent in a big-field scenario and confirmed he stays beyond 3 miles. Since then, he has improved further over longer distances. This past December, Stumptown scored a convincing win over 3m5f at Cheltenham   , proving his stamina for an extended trip. That victory (carrying 11-4 against quality rivals like Mister Coffey) suggests that 4m2f at Aintree is within his range. He’s one of the younger runners at 8, but notably eight-year-olds can and do win the National (Tiger Roll did so at 8 in 2018), especially when they have as much experience as Stumptown – he’s already had 15 starts over fences. His jumping is slick and accurate, an important asset for these 30 Grand National fences. Trainer Gavin Cromwell has a second strong contender here (alongside Vanillier), and jockey Keith Donoghue has piloted dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll in the past – so he knows how to handle a staying chaser in a marathon race. With an OR of 157, Stumptown is towards the higher end of the ratings, but he earned that mark through consistent improvement (his recent RPRs have climbed into the 150s). He carries 11-2, which is workable for a horse of his size and ability, though he’ll be conceding weight to some older rivals. The key trends in his favor: he has proven long-distance form, is coming off a strong win (current form is excellent), and has experience in large fields. If this still-improving 8-year-old continues his upward curve, Stumptown could make a bold bid – he has the stamina, form, and jumping prowess to be a major player in the 2025 Grand National.

Each of these five horses brings a mix of solid credentials and trend-matching characteristics to the 2025 Grand National. They have the right combination of age, weight, stamina, and form that historically points to a big run in the world’s most famous steeplechase. Keep these contenders in your sights as the runners charge towards Aintree’s fences – they could be the ones to give you a great run for your money on National Day. Good luck and enjoy the race!      

Now for the rest of the day…