2025 Grand National : Final Line-Up Confirmed as Aintree Prepares for the Big Race

Full Field Set for the 2025 Grand National at Aintree

The 2025 Grand National field has been officially confirmed, with no withdrawals at Thursday’s final declaration stage. This means Duffle Coat takes the last available slot in the iconic race at Aintree.

Among the reserves waiting for a late call-up are Shakem Up’Arry—owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp—as well as Roi Mage, Favori De Champdou, and Fantastic Lady. Any non-runners can be replaced up until 13:00 BST on Friday.

Last year, the number of runners was reduced as part of new safety measures, making this year’s edition of the Grand National another historic chapter in the race’s storied past.

I Am Maximus Aims to Make History for McManus

Could the Top Weight Finally Triumph Again?

Leading owner JP McManus is aiming for a record-breaking fourth Grand National victory and is pinning his hopes on I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins.

If successful, I Am Maximus would be the first horse to win carrying top weight since Red Rum in the 1970s. Only one horse, Tiger Roll in 2019, has managed to defend their title in the modern era, making this a monumental challenge.

McManus also has two other strong contenders in Iroko and Perceval Legallois, both considered serious threats in this wide-open field.

Mullins, as ever, brings a formidable team, with Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West also among the top-weighted runners.

A Strong Irish Contingent Ready to Take on Aintree

Confirmed 2025 Grand National runners and riders for Saturday’s race

Bargain Buy Hewick Leads a Talented Pack

Ireland has once again sent a powerful contingent to Aintree, featuring several horses with serious winning credentials.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell enters a trio of top-class contenders, including Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois, and last year’s runner-up Vanillier.

One of the most intriguing runners is Hewick, a remarkable bargain buy who cost just £800 and stunned the racing world by winning the King George VI Chase in 2023. The horse has since proven himself at the highest level and could be a fairytale winner at Aintree.

Among the other key Irish runners:

• Minella Indo – The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who finished third in last year’s Grand National.
• Intense Raffles – The 2024 Irish Grand National champion, now looking to add Aintree glory to his record.

Trainer Gordon Elliott, a two-time Grand National-winning trainer, leads his team with Three Card Brag, ridden by Sean Bowen, who is on the verge of becoming British champion jockey—despite being allergic to horse hair.

British Trainers Hoping to End Irish Dominance

2025 Grand National runners and riders: Full list of confirmed horses

Nicholls, Twiston-Davies, and Skelton Look to Deliver a Home Win

The Irish have dominated the Grand National in recent years, but the British trainers are hoping to reclaim the famous trophy.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has five runners, all capable of delivering a second National victory for him. His team includes:

• Kandoo Kid
• Bravemansgame
• Threeunderthrufive
• Hitman
• Stay Away Fay

Meanwhile, Nigel Twiston-Davies, a two-time Grand National-winning trainer, will saddle Broadway Boy and Beauport, the latter carrying the same colours as Corbiere, who won the race in 1983 with trainer Jenny Pitman making history as the first female trainer to win the Grand National.

Approximate Grand National 2025 Odds

The latest betting odds suggest a competitive race, with several runners well-backed:

• 9-1: I Am Maximus, Iroko, Stumptown
• 10-1: Hewick, Intense Raffles, Vanillier
• 12-1: Perceval Legallois
• 14-1: Minella Cocooner
• 20-1 bar

One runner who won’t be in the lineup is Mr Incredible, after being barred from competing due to a series of refusals and pull-ups in his last four races.

What Time is the Grand National?

Aintree Prepares for 16:00 BST Start

The 2025 Grand National is set to begin at 16:00 BST, with runners and riders tackling 30 fences over a grueling four-and-a-quarter-mile course.

Famous fences such as:

• Becher’s Brook
• The Chair
• Canal Turn

…will once again test the stamina, skill, and bravery of both horses and jockeys in one of the most thrilling spectacles in sport.

How the Grand National Has Changed

Safety Measures Introduced to Protect Horses and Riders

Over the past few years, organisers have made significant changes to improve safety for both horses and jockeys.

Key measures include:
✅ Reducing the number of runners from 40
✅ Shortening the run to the first fence to slow the pace
✅ Lowering the height of one of the fences
✅ Reintroducing a standing start
✅ Additional veterinary checks

These changes were introduced following concerns about welfare, and they appeared to make a positive impact in last year’s race, which saw:

• No fallers
• 21 finishers—the highest since 1992
• Four horses unseating their riders
• Seven being pulled up

The race start time was also moved forward by an hour and 15 minutes to ensure better ground conditions, particularly if drying weather affects the surface.

Protests and Controversy: Animal Rising’s Stance on the Grand National

No Planned Disruptions, But Opposition Remains

Animal rights group Animal Rising, which disrupted the 2023 Grand National, has stated it has no plans to interfere with this year’s event.

However, the group remains strongly opposed to the race and has called for further changes to improve safety.

The 2023 running was delayed by 14 minutes due to protesters entering the track, leading to 118 arrests. That race also saw one fatality, with Hill Sixteen suffering a fatal injury.

While no disruptions are expected this year, security at Aintree will be on high alert to prevent any potential disturbances.

What’s On at Aintree Before the Grand National?

A Packed Schedule Ahead of Saturday’s Feature Race

Aintree hosts several top-class races leading up to the Grand National, including:

🏇 The Aintree Hurdle – Featuring 2023 Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill, who is returning after falling at Cheltenham last month.

🏇 The Bowl Chase – Grey Dawning, ridden by Harry Skelton, is the favourite, with Spillane’s Tower and Gaelic Warrior among the challengers.

🏇 The Foxhunters’ Chase – Amateur jockeys and their hunter chasers take on the famous National fences, with Willitgoahead and Lifetime Ambition among the top contenders.

The action at Aintree is already underway, but all eyes will be on Saturday’s Grand National, where a new chapter in horse racing history will be written.