The 2025 Grand National: guide to runners and jump ratings

The 2025 Grand National: guide to runners and jump ratings

By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Mon 24 Mar 2025
We are going to need all the clues we can get in the hunt to identify the winner of the Randox at Aintree on Saturday week (April 5).
And this year, for the first time, we have the RaceiQ Jump Index to give us a helping hand in choosing between the runners who will line up for the world’s greatest Jumps race.
This metric quantifies a horse’s jumping ability throughout its career. It compares the efficiency, speed and fluency of a horse's jumps against all those recorded in the RaceiQ database over the past couple of years.
The index then produces a score out of ten reflecting how afficiently a horse gets from A to B. This figure means we can compare the jumping abilities of horses that have never run against each other, independent of any differences in tracks, ground conditions, or race distances.
A score of seven (feel free to mimic the late Len Goodman) is about average. Anything above that is encouraging.
Of course, a good jumping technique is far from the only attribute required to win a Grand National, especially since modifications this century have made the course easier to negotiate. Twenty-one of the 32 runners last year completed without mishap.
Speed, stamina, courage, a handy weight and a bit of good fortune are other essential components.
A maximum field of 34 will be allowed to take part, with the final line up revealed at 10am on Thursday week (April 3). Below are pen pictures of the top 44 left in the race plus their respective Jump Index scores.
The profiles will be updated once we get a clearer picture of those taking part, jockey bookings, the likely ground and whether any new headgear will be equipped.
Appreciate It, Capodanno, Celebre D’Allen, Minella Crooner. Minella Drama, Shakem Up’arry and Twig are also entered in the Topham, run over a circuit of the National course 24 hours earlier. 
Enjoy a full replay of last year's exciting renewal

Stats and figures

BEST 10 JUMPERS ACCORDING TO THE RACEIQ JUMP INDEX (marks out of 10): Hewick 8.4. Intense Raffles 8.2. Grangeclare West 8. Hitman 7.9. Hyland 7.9. Iroko 7.9. Kandoo Kid 7.9. L’Homme Presse 7.9. Minella Cocooner 7.9. Perceval Legallois 7.9.
RUNNERS WHO HAVE WON OVER THE GRAND NATIONAL FENCES (1): I Am Maximus, winner of the big race last year, is in a league of his own here.
OTHER RUNNERS WITH A TOP FOUR FINISH OVER THE GRAND NATIONAL FENCES (5): Minella Indo, Kandoo Kid, Coko Beach, Vanillier and Celebre D’Allen.
GRADE ONE WINNERS (14): Appreciate It (3), Bravemansgame (3), Minella Indo (3), Chantry House (2), Conflated (2), Hewick (2), L’Homme Presse (2), Royale Pagaille (2), Capodanno (1), Grangeclare West (1), I Am Maximus (1), Minella Cocooner (1), Stay Away Fay (1), Vanillier (1).
Kandoo Kid is one of seven possible grey challengers
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WINNERS (9): Minella Indo (2), Appreciate It, Chantry House, Iroko,  L’Homme Presse, Shakem Up’arry, Stay Away Fay, Stumptown, Vanillier.
GREYS (7) : Kandoo Kid, Intense Raffles, Coko Beach, Fil Dor, Hyland, Vanillier, Duffle Coat.
MARES (2): Fontaine Collonges, Quick Wave.
HORSES WHOSE HANDICAP MARKS HAVE RISEN SINCE THE WEIGHTS WERE PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY: to follow.
HORSES WHOSE HANDICAP MARKS HAVE FALLEN SINCE THE WEIGHTS WERE PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY: Chantry House (-1), Idas Boy (-2), Broadway Boy (-2), Celebre d'Allen (-2), Farouk d'Alene (-3), Stay Away Fay (-3), Horantzau d'Airy (-3), Fontaine Collonges (-4), Royale Pagaille (-5). More to follow.

ANDY’S A TEAM

Minella Cocooner has plenty going for him

MINELLA COCOONER 

Jump Index Score: 7.9. Odds: 25-1.
Seems to come good each spring, such as this time last year when he won the bet365 Gold Cup last year after his close third to Intense Raffles in the Irish National. Ran a creditable trial at Fairyhouse last time and is versatile regards the ground. Keep in mind, too, that his sire, Flemensfirth, has been responsible for three National runners-up (King Johns Castle, The Last Samuri and Magic Of Light), while his grandad, Old Vic, sired two National winners (Comply Or Die and Don’t Push It) plus two runners-up. And his great grandad, Roselier, was responsible for other leading Aintree performers such as Bindaree, Royal Athlete, Suny Bay and Moorcroft Boy. 

INTENSE RAFFLES 

Jump Index Score: 8.2. Odds: 15-2.
Won a stamina-sapping Irish Grand National on heavy ground last year and he enhanced his Aintree claims when a close second to Nick Rockett (now 15lb better off with that rival) on unfavourable terms at Fairyhouse last time.  His chance is there for all to see but niggles are that he generally enjoys making the running/racing prominently and that he’s done virtually all his racing on soft or heavy ground. Nevertheless, he’s an accurate jumper with staying power and must be on any shortlist.

MEETINGOFTHEWATERS 

Jump Index Score: 7.6. Odds: 25-1.
Jumped superbly and travelled powerfully for a long way in the race last year before fading to be seventh. Stamina looked stretched by the testing conditions plus  he’d had a busy season. Should be fresher this time after a much lighter campaign and no surprise if he puts up another bold bid from the right end of the weights. when the weights were released in February but, while I still fancy him to run well, others have jumped ahead of him in my pecking order. 

HEWICK 

Jump Index Score: 8.4. Odds: 16-1.
The £800 bargain buy has already achieved far more than anyone could imagine, with his exploits in Britain including landing the bet365 Gold Cup in 2022 and the King George in 2023. Is a good jumper, shapes like a thorough stayer these days and gained a confidence-boosting win over hurdles last time. The better the ground, the better his chance. 

IROKO 

Jump Index Score: 7.9. Odds: 8-1.
His one win over fences came in a five-runner novice chase at Warwick 16 months ago, but that masks the fact that he’s run some fine races over fences, including when chasing home Inothewayurthinkin in a Grade One contest over 3m at the Grand National meeting last year. Connections stated at the start of the season that this race was his big target (they might have been wise to keep that to themselves because several of his runs have since come under closer scrutiny) and, stamina wise, they will be encouraged that his half-brother, and stablemate, was a staying-on third in attritional Devon National in February. Showed his ability to handle the hurly burly of a big field when winning over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. 

I AM MAXIMUS 

Jump Index Score: 6.8. Odds: 9-1.
Emphatic winner last year, having won the Irish National the previous year. I wouldn’t worry too much about two subdued spins at the highest level this season, but he’s obliged to carry top weight this time (8lb higher in the ratings than 12 months) and doubts remain over his jumping technique and, to a lesser degree, his temperament. That did not stop him powering home 12 months ago. 

MINELLA INDO 

Jump Index Score: 7.4. Odds: 50-1.
Rachael Blackmore and Minella Indo. Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the National on Minella Times in 2021
The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has got his head in front just twice since but he ran a stormer when third in last year’s National and gets a 9lb pull in the weights with the winner, I Am Maximus. Been kept fresh for his return and, for a 12-year-old, remains low mileage. No horse of his age has prevailed since Amberleigh House in 2004 but, then again, few with his quality have tried. 

STUMPTOWN 

Jump Index Score: 7.6. Odds: 10-1.
Has developed into a cross-country specialist this season and is able to race off the same mark as when staying on stoutly to win at the Cheltenham Festival this month. Much depends on whether this challenge will suit him so well, plus whether he has fully recharged his batteries after only 24 days off the track.  

MONBEG GENIUS 

Jump Index Score: 7.7. Odds: 33-1.
Snapped a two-year losing sequence when scoring in good style at Uttoxeter last time, having been fourth in the Welsh Grand National before that. That was a timely return to form as he needed a big run to have any chance of making the cut here (the weights were framed just three days later) and his close third behind Corach Rambler and Fastorslow at the Cheltenham Festival two years ago lingers in the memory. 

PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS 

Jump Index Score: 7.9. Odds: 14-1.
The form of his Paddy Power Chase win over Christmas has worked out well and he then followed up in a staying hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival (unfortunate not to have won at that meeting for the past three years). Unraced beyond 3m and career-high mark to overcome, but commands respect for the trainer-owner combination who landed this month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

ANDY’S B TEAM 

Vanillier in action over the National fences

VANILLIER 

Jump Index Score: 6.4. Odds: 12-1.
Ran a screamer when runner-up two years ago but cut little ice when trying to go one better 12 months ago. Blinkers have galvanised him on his most recent starts in cross-country races, with an easy win at Punchestown being followed by a staying-on third to stablemate Stumptown at Cheltenham. Latter effort needs marking up as his rider compromised his chance by almost taking the wrong course. Demands a second look. 

THREE CARD BRAG 

Jump Index Score: 7.5. Odds: 25-1.
Interesting contender moving up to a trip which may unlock more improvement. The second-season novice has some smart form on his CV and, like plenty of his siblings, he stays well. Had Now Is The Hour back in fourth when landing a beginners chase at Navan in January and that horse may well have won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham (off a rating of 139) but for exiting two out. Three Card Brag runs off 146 here. He has since been third in a muddling Grade Two contest at the same track, when not jumping as well as he can.

KANDOO KID 

Jump Index Score: 7.9. Odds: 25-1.
Took well to the National fences when a close third in the Topham last year and scooped the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on his return. The grey disappointed back there last time over a shorter trip, although that run was probably just to keep him ticking over.  Remains unexposed as a stayer and has had a light campaign with this race at the top of his agenda for 12 months. 

THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE 

Jump Index Score: 7.5. Odds: 66-1.
Stuck to his task when fourth in the Scottish Grand National two years ago and ran a cracker when beaten a nose at Ascot last time. That effort came after the weights for this contest had been published, so he’s 2lb well-in here for a multiple champion trainer who can pull rabbits out of that hat. 

NICK ROCKETT 

Jump Index Score: 7.6. Odds: 16-1.
Likeable customer who arrives at the top of his game, but he looks handicapped up the hilt and not sure to stay the extreme trip. Edged out Intense Raffles last time but now finds himself is 15lb worse off at the weights with a rival who seems a more certain stayer. 

CAPODANNO 

Jump Index Score: 7.4. Odds: 66-1.
Has made no impact in the past two editions of the race and no obvious reason to think he will excel this time, for all that he ran OK behind Nick Rockett and Intense Raffles last time. On the plus side, connections are persisting when they could look elsewhere. Also entered in the Topham. 

SENIOR CHIEF 

Jump Index Score: 6.8. Odds: 40-1.
Did not do himself justice when pulled up in last year’s Irish National and got back on the up when scoring on his return at Cheltenham in October. Let down by his jumping at Newbury next time and latest spin over hurdles merely a building block for here. Remains unexposed as a stayer although the handicapper has done him no favours. 

HYLAND 

Jump Index Score: 7.9. Odds: 25-1.
Useful staying hurdler who has enjoyed a decent first season over fences, although this could be a bit of a shock to his system given that he’s mostly been contesting small-field novice chases. Distant second in a Kempton handicap last time under a change of tactics (often a front-runner but came from well off the pace). Nicky Henderson, his six-time champion trainer, has famously never landed the National despite holding a licence since 1978. 

GRANGECLARE WEST 

 Jump Index Score: 8.0. Odds: 25-1.
Grangeclare West ran a cracker in the Irish Gold Cup
The lightly raced nine-year-old has yet to justify his £430,000 price tag but he put up a career-best on his penultimate start when chasing home Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup, with Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin filling the next two places. That form has a glow but he’s not the most consistent and was unable to reproduce anything like that at Navan last time. 

The rest of  the runners

Beauport won by a wide margin when last running over fences

BEAUPORT 

Jump Index Score: 6.9. Odds: 40-1.
The 2024 Midlands National winner is blessed with bottomless stamina and was a runaway winner at Ascot when last seen over fences in November. However, he’s been hit hard by the handicapper and looks vulnerable off his new rating.  

MINELLA DRAMA 

Jump Index Score: 6.9. Odds: 150-1.
Good record on the Mildmay Course at Aintree, scooping the Old Roan Chase in October. Usually races over much shorter trips, although there is stamina in his pedigree and he could outrun massive odds for a family synonymous with the great race. Also entered in the Topham. 

CONFLATED 

Jump Index Score: 7.0. Odds: 100-1.
The 2022 Irish Gold Cup winner is not the force of old and is an unlikely stayer. On the plus side, he took a step back in the right direction over an inadequate trip at Cheltenham last time and he’s run with distinction at the Grand National meeting a couple of times before (over the Mildmay fences). 

DUFFLE COAT 

Jump Index Score: 6.7. Odds: 100-1.
Won his first four races over hurdles but has found life tough going since then, gaining only one more victory from 27 races. Has run well in defeat several times, including when runner-up in the Galway Plate in July, and might have been placed in the National Hut Chase at Cheltenham last time, too, but for being brought down two out. 

BROADWAY BOY 

Jump Index Score: 7.2. Odds: 66-1.
Looked a contender after chasing home Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November (might have won but for thumping four out) but he’s run lamentably on his past two starts. Suddenly has plenty to prove. 
Paul Nicholls with two of his Aintre runners: Bravemansgame, left, and Kando Kid

BRAVEMANSGAME 

Jump Index Score: 7.0. Odds: 40-1.
Top-class performer in his prime but there’s been a steady decline in the past two years, including in the jumping department. Even if he suddenly revives, there’s a big question mark as to whether this distance is within his range. 

L’HOMME PRESSE 

Jump Index Score: 7.9. Odds: 50-1.
Classy customer who has won half of his 18 races. However, this will be a mile further than he has ever tackled before and he’s never hinted he wants such a stamina test. 

HITMAN 

Jump Index Score: 7.9. Odds: 125-1.
Not short of ability and easy enough to imagine him running well for a long way but he’s notoriously difficult to win with (last victory was in November 2022) and has a big stamina question to answer. 

TWIG 

Jump Index Score: 7.1. Odds: 66-1.
Likeable type who has mainly been kept over hurdles this season to protect his handicap mark. However, he didn’t jump with his usual zip and offered little back over the bigger obstacles at Doncaster despite the good ground being in his favour. Others much easier to enthuse about. 

ROI MAGE 

Jump Index Score: 7.2. Odds: 100-1.
The 13-year-old would easily be the most experienced runner in the line-up if making the cut – he’s had 60 races over the past decade – and has run creditably in the past two Nationals, finishing seventh in 2023 and ninth last year. Difficult to believe he can do much better. 

VELVET ELVIS 

Jump Index Score: -- (awarded a 4.3 at Aintree last year). Odds: 100-1.
Ran a personal best when runner-up to Nick Rockett in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran on his penultimate start but followed that with a subdued effort at Punchestown last time. Perhaps most significant, he ran poorly in the National 12 months ago. 

APPRECIATE IT 

Jump Index Score: 7.4. Odds: 66-1.
The runaway Supreme Novice Hurdle winner in 2021 has never won beyond 2m5f and is not an obvious one to relish this test. 

ROYALE PAGAILLE 

Jump Index Score: 6.8. Odds: 125-1.
In his element at Haydock when the mud is flying but recent efforts suggest the 11-year-old is on the downgrade. Others less exposed and much better handicapped. 

STAY AWAY FAY 

Jump Index Score: 7.1. Odds: 66-1.
The 2023 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner made a promising start over fences, but he’s had a miserable time in the past year, not helped by a dirty scope on one occasion and a breathing issue on another. Wind surgery in the summer has not helped relight his fire but well handicapped if his issues can ever be resolved (had Grey Dawning behind when they made their respective chasing debuts in November 2023). Bryony Frost, below, rides. 
Frost will be in action at Aintree (focusonracing.com)

CHANTRY HOUSE 

Jump Index Score: 7.3. Odds: 66-1.
Grand National glory has evaded six-time champion trainer Nicky Henderson since he took out a licence in 1978 and it’s difficult to see this 11-year-old ending his elusive quest. Let down by his jumping when well held at Cheltenham last time. 

COKO BEACH 

Jump Index Score: 6.3. Odds: 100-1.
Has made little impression in the past three editions of the National and it’s easy enough to expect similar after a fruitless campaign. The one ray of light for his supporters is that he is 11lb lower in the ratings than 12 months ago. 

MR INCREDIBLE 

Jump Index Score: 6.4. Odds: 150-1.
More like Mr Unreliable. He’s a quirky character who has refused to race on three occasions, failing to complete in nine of his past 12 races and being winless since November 2021. Smart stayer when in the mood (increasingly rare) and has been well-fancied for the past two renewals of the National, only to unship his rider on both occasions. 

HORANTZAU D’AIRY 

Jump Index Score: 7.5. Odds: 100-1.
Runner-up in two Nationals this season – the Kerry and Munster versions – but changed hands for 50,000gns this month and that has to be a negative as you would think it unlikely that Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci would let a potential Grand National winner slip through their fingers. Has looked in the grip of the handicapper and would not be an obvious stayer on form or breeding. 

CELEBRE D’ALLEN 

Jump Index Score: 6.6. Odds: 150-1.
The last 13-year-old to win was back in 1923 and it’s difficult to imagine a teenage horse ever landing a modern-day National. Celebre D’Allen won on his latest start, at  Bangor five months ago, and has run several good race over the National fences,  but all his best form has been up to 3m.    Also entered in the Topham. 

SHAKEM UP’ARRY 

Jump Index Score: 7.5. Odds: 100-1.
Owned by Harry Redknapp and gave the former football manager one of his best days in the sport when successful at the Cheltenham Festival last year. Has not shone since, though, and has never won over further than 2m 4f. Also entered in the Topham. 

MINELLA CROONER 

Jump Index Score: 5.7. Odds: 100-1.
He’s run four times in Britain and been pulled up each time, including in last year’s National when a 125/1 chance. Was a surprise winner at the Punchestown Festival in May but his four subsequent runs have all been stinkers. 

IDAS BOY 

Jump Index Score: 6.7. Odds: 150-1.
Owned by the Dozen Dreamers and you need a vivid imagination to entertain the idea of this 11-year-old hitting the jackpot. Can take little interest and prone to making mistakes. Offered little over hurdles at Doncaster this month after a seven-month break. 

FIL DOR 

Jump Index Score: 7.7. Odds: 80-1.
All bar one of his six wins have been achieved over 2m (the exception came in a match over 2m 6f) and there’s nothing in his form or pedigree to suggest he will stay anything like this far. 

FONTAINE COLLONGES 

Jump Index Score: 6.0. Odds: 100-1.
Her uncle is 2012 Grand National winner Neptune Collonges but it’s difficult to see her emulating him. She’s potent when fresh but, typically, has gone backwards since winning on her return at Haydock in late November. 

QUICK WAVE 

Jump Index Score: -- (got a 6.7 at Newbury). Odds: 150-1.
Shaped a bit better than the bare form suggests when sixth on her belated return at Newbury, having been absent for two years. Difficult to believe she can be competitive here. 
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