Photo Healy RacingThe Grand National staged at Aintree Racecourse is not only a unique and stunning spectacle but one of the biggest betting races of the year. It is easy to get lost in the form and the wealth of information available on each of the 34 runners but fear not, we are here to present you with Grand National tips and trends as we assist you in finding this year’s winner and those contenders representing excellent each-way value.
Vincent has followed this year’s contenders with a keen eye over the National Hunt season and studied the form to present his best Grand National tip. A horse who will be primed for this year’s race.
The Grand National trends serve as an excellent guide for the big race, often revealing the winning horses and those that place. Approaching the race from this perspective can be highly beneficial, especially when considering the insights and tips provided by our editor and racing expert, Vincent Finegan, who has been consistently identifying winners lately.
Once you've pinpointed your potential winner, remember to claim your free bets. There's no better way to utilise credited free bets than on your Grand National selections. Additionally, you can find extra places offered by select bookmakers to enhance your potential returns on this iconic race.
Find below your 2025 Grand National trends as a starting point to finding the next Grand National hero.
If you are looking for more pointers for finding this year's Grand National winner, follow the advice below:
Horses are prepared especially for the Grand National and spend the season running in races to get them spot on for the race. Look at their previous races and how often they have run this season.
It should be noted that many Grand National horses will run over hurdles at the start of the season before taking on fences. Six of the last 13 winners of the race ran at the Cheltenham Festival although it is worth considering if the horse had a hard race at Prestbury Park.
Also consider if this has been the plan all season, these horses are often better prepared for the race than those for which it has been an afterthought.
The Aintree Grand National fences are unique in nature - much bigger and wider than standard ‘chase’ fences. Some horses particularly enjoy the Aintree fences while some may find them challenging and not take to them at all. Horses that have fallen or unseated their rider three or more times do not tend to have a good record in the race.
A bold and accurate-jumping horse is a must for the Grand National and it is an even bigger advantage if the horse has previous form over these imposing obstacles, most notably in the Grand National itself. Amberleigh House returned victorious in 2004 Grand National and had run over these obstacles six times prior to his win in the Topham Chase, Becher Chase and the in the Grand National itself.
The Grand National is a handicap race which means the better horses in the race must carry more weight then than the less talented horses. This system is designed to make it a fair contest.
Those carrying more weight may find it too much over the long distance so it may be worth looking further down the weights to find a horse who might not be hindered by too much weight.
The Grand National weights are released in February each year. If you want to be really shrewd try and find horses which may have run since the weights were revealed and may be ‘ahead of the handicapper’.
Stamina is one of the key attributes of a Grand National winner, just like a long distance cross country runner. Ten of the last twelve winners of the race had at least seven runs over three miles.
This may seem obvious but there are high-class horses who may not have tackled long distances which means their ability to stay the trip is an unknown. Find horses in the race which have run over long distances as you can be safe in the knowledge the trip will not be an issue.
Certain trainers target the Grand National with a certain type of horse. For example, Martin Brassil won the race with Numbersixvalverde in 2006 and boasts an outstanding record with this type of horse - all of his Grand National contenders have completed the course. Ted Walsh, Lucinda Russell, Henry de Bromhead and Tom George also have a superb record in the race when it comes to completing the course.
January 2024 Ain t That A Shame winning trainer Henry de Bromhead with mom Sally and Rachael BlackmorePhoto Healy RacingLikewise, certain jockeys ride this course better than others. The dependable Sam Waley-Cohen who won last year aboard Noble Yeats was always one to watch, however he has retired, so instead look out for Patrick Mullins, Ryan Mania and Rachael Blackmore who ride the course well.
Two-thirds of horses priced at 8-1 or shorter have completed the course although favourites do not have a good record in the race. Last year’s winner I Am Maximus was one of those, however Noble Yeats, triumphed at 50-1 in 2022 and there was a staggering 100-1 winner of the race in 2009 - Mon Mome. Only three favourites have won the Grand National in the past 13 years.
Betting on the Grand National is a major part of the interest around the event and attempting to unearth the winner or an each-way bet at a big price - is what it is all about. 34 horses lining up means excellent value is on offer.
Find the latest odds for the Grand National 2025 before you place your bet from all the best bookies below:
4.004m. 2f. 74yds. 34 Declared.Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £1,000,000.00 7-y-o plus
1st - €500,000.00 2nd - €200,000.00 3rd - €100,000.00 4th - €65,000.00 5th - €40,000.00 6th - €30,000.00 7th - €20,000.00 8th - €15,000.00 9th - €10,000.00 10th - €5,000.00 Going - Good; National: Good to Soft.
Formscan - Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads a strong JP McManus squad with Iroko, Perceval Legallois and Meetingofthewaters other strong candidates in the famous green and gold silks. That said, an 8lb higher mark for t he former, combined with a preparation that hasn't completely gone to plan and his potential quirks, are enough to look elsewhere. Iroko has long been touted as the ideal Aintree type and warrants plenty of respect, despite the trip being a slight concern. Similar comments apply to Perceval Legallois, but the eight-year-old arrives at the top of his game after big handicap successes at Leopardstown. Intense Raffles won the Irish National last season and arrives following a fine effort in the Bobbyjo when just denied by Nick Rockett, but the reopposing fourth, MINELLA COCOONER, makes plenty of appeal. A sound jumper who won the bet365 Gold Cup on a decent surface at Sandown last April, that Fairyhouse effort was his best of the season and it appears he has been brought along steadily to peak on the big day. Stumptown (first) and Vanillier (third) further boost Gavin Cromwell's hopes following their efforts in the Cross Country at Cheltenham, while Hewick, Minella Indo and Hyland are others expected to prove popular.
Once you have pinpointed your Grand National fancies, make sure you don't miss out on Grand National free bet offers to ensure you are maximising your potential profit.
