Aintree Grand National tip and preview

The Aintree Grand National takes place at 4.00pm on Saturday 5th April, and the 2025 renewal looks particularly wide open and competitive. Ground conditions will surely be on the softer side of good (watering to maintain if necessary), and the top Irish trainers typically hold a particularly strong hand.

Bettingexpert 1,2,3 selections

1 – VANILLIER

13.00

Gavin Cromwell has enjoyed a fantastic winter in Ireland, and tasted Cheltenham festival glory when it mattered in the Gold Cup, and his smart stayer has been trained with Aintree in mind all season. He warmed up for this
prestigious prize with a cracking third behind Stumptown in the Cross Country at the Cheltenham festival, looking very unlucky to lose in the circumstances after losing his place early, and has vital National experience in the book (cracking second to Corach Rambler in the 2023 renewal).

2 – IROKO

9.00

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriro are a training team to follow in the coming years, and their unexposed chaser is expected to relish every yard of this sapping 4m2f trip. He remains open to plenty more improvement over
fences after just seven career starts in this sphere, and went into every notebook in the land when a tenderly handled fourth at Cheltenham in January in strong handicap company.

3 – MINELLA INDO

51.00

Those looking for an each-way big priced contender could do a lot worse than Henry de Bromhead’s classy chaser, who has won 6 of his 20 starts over fences and comes here fresh after a very light campaign this winter. He may now be a
12-y-o which will put off the stats-boys, but ran a screamer in this race in 2024 in third behind I am Maximus, and seems sure to give his running again from an attractive mark.

Best of the rest

INTENSE RAFFLES

9.00

The ante-post plunge since the weights were revealed, and posted a good trial when second to Nick Rockett in the Bobby-Jo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. Won the 2024 Irish Grand National over 3m5f, but would not be a certain
stayer round here and a single figure price makes no appeal at all given his lack of experience at Aintree.

STUMPTOWN

11.00

Under the pump from halfway in the CC at Cheltenham, but rallied grimly to land the spoils to the delight of punters. Proven at 3m5f but no Aintree form in the book, and Gavin Cromwell’s other runner Vanillier is fancied to reverse the form.

HEWICK

13.00

Shark Hanlon has endured a tumultuous season, and a win for his gallant warrior would certainly bring the house down at Aintree. He has won a remarkable 6 from 17 over fences, but does have stamina to prove over this sort of trip and his jumping could be an issue too.

I AM MAXIMUS

13.00

The 2024 hero has not shown much in two starts this season and has plenty to prove at the moment. No appeal at all at the prices, for all Willie Mullins is more than capable of reviving one on the big day.

PERCIVAL LEGALLOIS

15.00

Has attracted market support in recent weeks, and is a young improver from an excellent yard. However, he has never run beyond three miles or raced outside of Ireland, and has plenty to prove at the current prices.

NICK ROCKETT

15.00

Has won 3 from 8 over fences, revelling in the mud to post improved form in recent months in Ireland for his top yard. Stamina to prove and his mark has now shot up, but entitled to maximum respect as a thriving 8-y-o from the Mullins yard.

GRANGECLARE WEST

21.00

Untried beyond three miles but shapes as through this kind of trip might suit, and certainly you can argue he is very well handicapped on them pick of his form….a lively outsider who has been nibbled at in the ante-post market.

KANDOO KID

21.00

Paul Nicholls number one candidate, with the booking of the top class Harry Cobden certainly increasing confidence of a bold showing on his first attempt over the National fences. Exuberant type who may struggle to stay 4m2f when the chips are down up the long straight.

MINELLA COCOONER

26.00

Has not been at his best all winter in warm company, and younger, less exposed rivals may have his measure again.

THREE CARD BRAG

26.00

Unexposed Elliott raider who impressed with his jumping and attitude when winning over 3m at Navan in January. More to come after six runs over fences, and some appeal at around the 25/1 mark for all he lacks Aintree experience.

MEETINGOFTHEWATERS

26.00

Only seventh behind I am Maximum in 2024 when gambled on down to 11/1, he has been showing little in three runs so far this season. He could be a plot for the day given his connections, and a late market move would certainly increase confidence that a revival was on the cards.

HYLAND

26.00

Nicky Henderson’s record at Aintree is absolutely awful over the years, and his good ground three miler has to be a very doubtful stayer over this 4m2f trip on watered ground. A very unlikely stayer and the Irish raiders all look a lot better treated.

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