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The 2025 Randox Grand National: Lydia Hislop's horse-by-horse guide

Last Updated: Thu 3 Apr 2025

Who gets five stars from our multiple award-winning broadcaster, and who gets only one? Lydia shares her thoughts on each of the 34 runners in Saturday's £1 million showpiece. Watch the big race live on Racing TV at 4pm.

LYDIA'S STAR SYSTEM

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Means business

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Capable of hitting the extended frame

⭐⭐⭐ = Might give you a brief shout

⭐⭐ = Bear with me whilst I contrive a theoretical chance

⭐ = Just no

1 I AM MAXIMUS

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 13-2.

Bounded clear from Elbow in uniquely uneventful and steadily run edition last year, despite indifferent jumping. Half as many prep-runs this time, contrary to trainer’s proven National-conditioning method. Missed latest intended start with non-respiratory infection. Remains mercurial talent, unexposed at marathon trips. Might not relish this revisit. Habit of burrowing left at fences. Best form on softer.

2 ROYALE PAGAILLE

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 100-1.

Classy Haydock specialist, most effective in deep ground. Never competitive in his fourth attempt on the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time. Makes National debut as veteran. Flat track a plus. Long hinted marathon trips will suit, but undone by habitual errors in 2023 Irish version. These fences may need to be as enfeebled as some allege. Unproven in big fields. Much un-forecast rain required.

3 NICK ROCKETT

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 20-1.

Improved performer this season. Standout Thyestes win in January, yet nearly half the field hampered at the start and he hugged favoured outside line. Well-positioned in steadily run Bobbyjo last time to beat fellow National contenders. Mixed messages on trip, fading in 2024 Irish National but keeping-on third in Bet365 Gold Cup. Versatile ground-wise. Tendency to jump right not ideal here.

4 GRANGECLARE WEST

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 22-1.

Classy but fragile talent who’s stood more racing than usual this season. Suddenly produced career best on penultimate start, running Galopin Des Champs closest in the Irish Gold Cup. Unsuitable task a month later in the Webster Cup when out-speeded and not enduring a hard race. Untried beyond three miles but promises to stay well. Handicap debut from reasonable mark. Interesting.

5 HEWICK

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 10-1.

Guinness-supping fairytale bargain buy. 2023 King George winner, detached early but last to first under this rider in the straight. Stayed extreme trips from lowlier marks, winning the Bet365 Gold Cup three seasons ago. Habitually mixes hurdling and chasing at the highest level these days but warmed up via a winning drop in grade, ridden by the son of his splashy trainer. Drying surface a big plus.

6 MINELLA INDO

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 25-1.

Former class act, winning 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup and finishing second 12 months later. Since reinvented as cross-country veteran and rolled back the years when third in this last term, jumping fluently and leading from the last until the Elbow. Returns on 1lb lower mark, again guided by 2021 heroine Rachael Blackmore. Laid out for this and should hit extended frame at least.

7 APPRECIATE IT

Rating: ⭐ Odds: 66-1.

Talented chaser, operating just below top class. Enjoyed first success since novice-chasing days two years earlier at Thurles last time. Best when able to dominate over distances short of three miles. Unproven in big fields over obstacles. Enjoys good-to-soft ground. Makes National and handicap debut here at veteran stage. Others better suited to this task.

8 MINELLA COCOONER

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 16-1.

Blossomed as a marathon chaser whilst still a novice last season, finishing third in the Irish

Grand National

prior to winning the Bet365 Gold Cup. Brought along steadily towards peak fitness this term, exactly to his trainer’s plan. Shaped well with this

Aintree

debut in mind in Grade One company. Not suited by a sprint finish in the Bobbyjo last time. Versatile ground-wise. Leading player.

9 CONFLATED

Rating: ⭐ Odds: 100-1.

Former high-class chaser. Dual Grade One winner at Leopardstown, then placed in the Gold Cup and Ryanair at successive Cheltenhams. Now steeply in decline. Marooned in graded company after failing to take to cross-country fences in the autumn. More verve dropped in class for the Festival Plate last time, jumping well until headed and clouting two out. Others far better handicapped.

10 STUMPTOWN

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 9-1.

One-time progressive handicapper reinvented as cross-country specialist after moody spell. Winner of his last four starts in that discipline, most recently when finding plenty late on at the Cheltenham Festival. Competes here from same mark. First-time cheekpieces switched for blinkers (last worn more than a year ago), to promote sweeter travelling. Capable in large fields. Might love or loathe this at the first attempt.

11 HITMAN

Rating: ⭐ Odds: 66-1.

Faint-hearted chaser on losing run of almost two-and-a-half years. Well placed to string together a trio of consistent seconds this season, finishing off his race more convincingly than usual at Newbury last time. Best form shy of three miles. Highly unlikely to stay this marathon trip. No form in big fields. First National ride for young Freddie Gingell, for as long as it lasts.

12 BEAUPORT

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 22-1.

Runs in silks of 1983 winner Corbiere. Emerged as talented but erratic staying chaser last term. Took form to a new level under a positive ride at Ascot in November, jumping better than before. National mark protected over hurdles since, reaping creditable graded places. Form and manner of jumping says he’s better at right-handed tracks, despite Midlands Grand National success.

13 BRAVEMANSGAME

Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 50-1.

One-season wonder, winning 2022 King George and going toe-to-toe until after the last with Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup three months later. Recoiled with ever-decreasing form in subsequent terms. Unlikely marathon chaser. Unproven in big fields. Yet to run well at this meeting. Risk of heightened pre-race agitation here. Belated handicap debut unlikely to help.

14 CHANTRY HOUSE

Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 80-1.

Soured from his second season over fences, disengaged attitude compounded by sketchy jumping. Regained equilibrium over hurdles last term. Took advantage of reduced chase mark and weak race to win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Errors resurfaced when upped in grade again last time. Type to take an early dislike to this task, for all it’s a less formidable test than of old.

15 THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE

Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 66-1.

Capable marathon chaser when underfoot conditions are not overly testing, but something of a bridle merchant. Showcased both traits when fourth in 2023 Scottish National, racing awkwardly from three out. Mildly elevated form and more consistent since granted longer breaks between races of late, however. Still prone to errors. Others better handicapped than this now-veteran.

16 PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 11-1.

Delivered long-threatened performance winning big-field Leopardstown handicap over Christmas, smuggled into lead after last under a patient ride. Followed up over hurdles in similar Dublin Racing Festival contest. Best form around three miles. This trip a new frontier and not guaranteed. Feasibly handicapped and thriving. Gold Cup-winning jockey Mark Walsh knows him like the back of his hand.

17 KANDOO KID

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 20-1.

Creditable third over short course of National fences in last year’s Topham, staying on from the Elbow after becoming outpaced on home turn. Proved stamina for 3m2f when winning soundly run but unusually medium-sized affair in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup. Unsuited by drop in trip returning from break last time, but still disappointing. Open to further improvement over marathon trips.

18 IROKO

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 9-1.

Conspicuously campaigned with this in mind, as openly stated by co-trainers. Jockey’s explanation “noted” by Cheltenham stewards when appearing capable of better over doubtless inadequate trip in January. Not done with until after second last against high-class Grey Dawning last time. Will improve at trip. Only too obvious chance. If successful, perhaps connections could gift the BHA a set of teeth?

19 INTENSE RAFFLES

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 12-1.

Progressive young chaser last term, culminating in Irish National success. Campaigned over hurdles this season until these weights were published. Shaped well returned to fences in Bobbyjo last time. Races handily. Jumps well but adjusts right. Only substantial form for this trainer at right-handed Fairyhouse. Regularly raced at left-handed Auteuil when based in France. Unproven on drying ground.

20 SENIOR CHIEF

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 28-1.

Focused by headgear at Cheltenham in October to deliver staying success he’d long threatened previously. Listless in Irish National and Coral Gold Cup either side. Cheekpieces reapplied here after sharpener over hurdles in February. Still unexposed as marathon chaser. Drying ground potential positive. Career best required.

21 IDAS BOY

Rating: ⭐ Odds: 150-1.

Failed to upgrade promising novice-chasing form as anticipated for Noel Meade after a year off. Repeatedly let down by jumping in competitive handicaps prior to salvaging success, cheekpieces reapplied, in unconvincing fashion in Kilbeggan’s Midlands National last summer. Prepped with spin over hurdles by new trainer Richard Phillips. Tongue-tie reapplied. Has looked reluctant to start.

22 FIL DOR

Rating: ⭐ Odds: 80-1.

One-time classy juvenile hurdler who soon found his ceiling over fences. Consistent form this season, largely pothunting place prize money. Appears trip-less. Best form on paper when staying on against decent two-milers but lacking finishing bite over further. Stamina unproven for three miles, let alone marathon distances. Sound jumper. Unproven in big fields. Making up the numbers.

23 BROADWAY BOY

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 66-1.

Built on early novice-chasing promise with improved efforts when placed at Cheltenham and Newbury in the autumn. Form has again tailed off this season. Jumping errors increasingly an issue. Promises to do better over marathon trips. Drying ground no problem. Prominent run style will test his accuracy from an early stage.

24 COKO BEACH

Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 100-1.

Formerly decent handicapper turned highly effective Punchestown Banks operator, but less of a force elsewhere these days. Three times previously a non-stayer in the National, despite jumping soundly under a more circumspect ride in a steadily run edition last year. Arrived at the top of his game then; seemingly on the downgrade as a veteran now. Likely to complete, though.

25 STAY AWAY FAY

Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 100-1.

Cheltenham Festival-winning hurdler who promised to win good prizes over marathon trips as a chaser. Wheels came off instead when pitched into the big league as a novice. Plagued by physical frailties since. Folded cheaply on his last four starts, despite drop in grade. One-off experiment with cheekpieces not repeated. Looks badly handicapped.

Watch fence-by-fence analysis of last year's National

26 MEETINGOFTHEWATERS

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 22-1.

Jumped scruffily when seventh last year, his placed chance knocked back by blunder four out. Coped with preliminaries and didn’t over-race. Only 1lb higher for sole purpose of this season’s campaign. Uncompetitive in two starts then glimmer of life last time over an inadequate trip after National weights published, ceding wide outside to nobody. Capable in big fields. Can hit the frame.

27 MONBEG GENIUS

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.

Progressive staying chaser as novice two seasons ago, culminating in Ultima third at the Festival. Filled same spot in Coral Gold Cup, highlight of unhappy follow-up season ending with cheekpieces and early blunder in same final start. More convincing this term, but didn’t improve for marathon trip in Welsh National. Headgear reapplied and ruled small field last time. Prone to odd significant error.

28 VANILLIER

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 12-1.

Runner-up in 2023. Too characteristically flat-footed when unsuited by emphasis on speed last year. Revivified by blinkers and positive tactics this term, winning over the Banks at Punchestown in February. In process of dominating when this rider all but took the wrong course early in the Festival’s Cross-Country event. Gradually back in touch, then outpaced and rallying for third. Lacks gears.

29 HORANTZAU D’AIRY

Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 100-1.

Proven at three miles when runner-up in both the Kerry and Munster Nationals last autumn. Unable to get involved in slightly better company since. Sold out of Willie Mullins’ yard in early March. Needs career best for new connections. Schooled over purpose-built National fence in Newmarket. Would be rookie trainer Michael Keady’s first winner over Jumps.

30 HYLAND

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 20-1.

Found double-figure field of seasoned handicappers different ball-game to bossing handful of novices when second at Kempton last time. Still ran well, given time to recover from losing position via halting early jumps to stay on strongly from unpromising position. Pitched in much deeper here. Unexposed and feasibly handicapped. Marathon trips a complete unknown. Needs to jump more slickly.

31 CELEBRE D’ALLEN

Rating: ⭐ Odds: 150-1.

Capable veteran. Creditable fourth over shorter course of these fences in 2023 Becher Chase, plainly failing to stay in heavy ground after threatening between the final two. Also ran well in last season’s Topham, despite failing to travel. Remarkable career best at Bangor on latest start, seeing out three miles for the first time. Marathon trip unlikely to suit, however. Another level of form required, too.

32 THREE CARD BRAG

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 22-1.

Did too much, too soon when seventh to Perceval Legallois under inexperienced pilot over Christmas at Leopardstown, circumstances conspiring against him in first-time blinkers from a standing start. Reverted to cheekpieces since. Hesitant and sketchy jumps at Navan last time suggest that issue not yet fully resolved. Big fields no problem. Versatile ground-wise. Likely to improve for this trip.

33 TWIG

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 66-1.

Unlikely smart handicapper. Indolent in his youth. Transformed by Pointing then progressive in both codes for trainer Ben Pauling. Career-best second in last term’s Ultima prior to missing the cut here. Campaigned over hurdles until listless return to fences at Doncaster last month. Still prone to hanging and idling. Now ridden by Beau Morgan, formerly by his elder brother, and owned by their mum.

34 DUFFLE COAT

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 66-1.

Aims to do better than namesake who fell in 1977 edition. Won Mayo National and second in Galway Plate during busy campaign last summer. Appeared unexpectedly to excel in Festival NH Chase last time, lying fourth and likely to have pitched for second when brought down two out. Unexposed at marathon trips; already far out-stayed pedigree. Could plug on for extended place at huge price.

LYDIA'S TOP SIX

1 Minella Cocooner

2 Iroko

3 Intense Raffles

4 Perceval Legallois

5 Hyland

6 Duffle Coat

WHO DO LYDIA'S FELLOW PRESENTERS LIKE?

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