With six Grand National wins in the last eight years, Irish trainers have become accustomed to standing at the top of the Aintree rostrum in the aftermath of the world’s greatest steeplechase, and in 2025 they look to have a really strong team heading across from the Emerald Isle for this year’s Merseyside marathon.
Here at GG, we take a look at some of the leading Irish-trained runners that are expected to be fighting it out at the finish for what looks like a hugely competitive renewal.
I Am Maximus – Willie Mullins
A runaway seven-and-a-quarter length winner of the race 12 months ago, I AM MAXIMUS is back to try and retain his crown for the legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins. He will have the burden of top weight in this year’s renewal, so will face a much sterner test off an 8lbs higher weight, but he showed he has the class to deliver the goods around the legendary Aintree racecourse, so is entitled to be towards the head of the betting for the Closutton team.
Stumptown – Gavin Cromwell
Three wins from three starts this season, STUMPTOWN has been a real revelation for Gavin Cromwell this campaign and he was last seen bounding to glory in the Cross Country Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Taking his chance off the same mark of 157 for this contest, the eight-year-old is set to have his first crack at the Aintree fences for this contest, but he looks like he’s more than capable of dealing with the test and stamina is certainly not a worry.
Intense Raffles – Thomas Gibney
Thomas Gibney’s INTENSE RAFFLES ended last season with an excellent one-and-a-half length victory in the Irish Grand National and the fast-improving seven-year-old is looking to claim more National success in the English version this weekend. Second in the Bobbyjo Chase on his last outing in February, the galloping grey is one of those further down the weights that may not be in the handicapper’s grip as of yet and could be one of the most exciting Irish-trained runners lining up.
Hewick – Shark Hanlon
A former American Grand National winner, HEWICK caused an almighty shock when coming out of the clouds to win the 2023 King George VI Chase at Kempton Park and Shark Hanlon’s stable star is ready to create more history on Saturday afternoon. A quirky operator, the ten-year-old was last seen winning a hurdle contest at Thurles, which is sure to have him primed for this contest, and providing he doesn’t get too far back through the early stages then he certainly brings a real class element to the race.
Grand National Grey Horses: Which Greys Will Line Up In 2025 Grand National?
There’s no finer sight in horse racing than watching a grey galloping to glory, and in the 2025 Grand National there will be a number of grey horses taking their chance on Saturday 5th April in the world’s greatest steeplechase at Aintree. Only three greys have been victorious in the Grand National with The Lamb…
Mon 31 Mar 2025Vanillier – Gavin Cromwell
An eye-catching, staying-on runner-up in the 2023 Grand National behind Corach Rambler, VANILLIER failed to improve on that effort in the 2024 renewal when finishing 14th. Gavin Cromwell’s veteran grey is back for another crack at the Grand National and heads to Aintree in decent form, as having won a Punchestown Cross Country contest he then finished third to Stumptown at Cheltenham last month, so he has shown the fire still burns bright.
Perceval Legallois – Gavin Cromwell
Another leading contender for the Gavin Cromwell team is PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS, who is one of the form horses taking his chance in the line-up. A winner of the valuable Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, the JP McManus-owned raider then returned to the same venue to win a competitive handicap hurdle to continue his fine run this season. Tackling this race for the first time, the eight-year-old will need to improve again, but has shown no sign of stopping, so has to be considered.
Other Contenders
There’s a really strong Irish contingent in this year’s race and they will certainly be odds-on to claim victory in the race. Minella Cocooner will be another unleashed by the Mullins yard and he showed when winning the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown at the end of last season that he’s one that can play a notable role in red-hot staying handicap chases. Meetingofthewaters will be another carrying the green and gold silks of JP McManus and is another added to the Mullins battalion, while the likes of Senior Chief, Grangeclare West and Nick Rockett all add depth to what will be a strong Irish charge.