Randox Grand National Winner

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the Randox Grand National

The distinctive challenges of the Randox Grand National have gone—never to return. However, the race remains unique, testing stamina, and luck in equal measure. Even the most educated professionals can only make an educated guess, searching for perceived value.

It’s a race where, at the right odds, you could easily back a dozen horses—and many back five or six. Personally, I’ll be chucking a few pounds at three or maybe four.

I must confess this year’s renewal hasn’t really captured my imagination, but I do have a shortlist of six. I’ve tried to pinpoint horses that could be 10lb ahead of their marks, and I’ve found two that meet the criteria.

4:00 – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 4m 2½f

Since 2015 all the last nine winners met the following trends.

Will those trends hold up in 2025?

Grand National Contenders:

The in-form Willie Mullins provides three of my shortlisted contenders:

I Am Maximus – Last year’s winner relished the 4m 2f trip, staying on strongly at the finish. He’s 8lb higher but trained to peak today. The only concern? The ground won’t be as soft as last year.

Nick Rockett – Battled well to beat Intense Raffles by ¾ length in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase last time. The runner-up, last year’s Irish Grand National winner, is 15lb better off, which makes things tough. However, Nick Rockett is not fully exposed as a stayer and has each-way claims.

Minella Cocooner – Only fourth in the Bobbyjo, but put in his best performance of the season, despite the race not being run to suit. Won the Bet365 Gold Cup (3m 5f) at Sandown last April and looks lined up for a big spring handicap chase. Could improve for the National distance and has each-way claims on decent ground.

The other three on my shortlist:

Perceval Legallois – In the same ownership as I Am Maximus, he finally clicked over fences, winning the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Backed that up with a valuable big-field handicap hurdle win at Leopardstown last time. He’s one of two horses that could be 10lb ahead of his mark.

Beauport – Bottomless stamina, as he showed when winning the Midlands Grand National (4m 2f) on heavy last year. Jumped well and galloped rivals into the ground when landing the Berkshire National at Ascot on seasonal return. Got a 12lb rise for that, but after two hurdle spins, he’s back chasing with a serious chance.

Iroko – A second-season chaser who has been aimed at this all year. Respectable trial when runner-up to Grey Dawning at Kelso last month. Lacks big-field handicap chase experience, and his jumping still looks novicey, but he’s arguably the best-handicapped horse in the race. He’d have had no chance over the old National fences, but with modifications, he might just get away with it.

Randox Grand National Verdict:

I’m not overly bullish about this year’s race, but my strongest fancies are Perceval Legallois and Iroko, with I Am Maximus a major player once again. I Am Maximus’s stablemates Nick Rockett and Minella Cocooner give Willie Mullins a strong hand in the race and have each way claims.

I’ll me back on Monday when I’ll begin my look back at Aintree’s Grand National Festival.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John