AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
2025 Grand National: Star Pinstickers’ Guide
GRAND NATIONAL PINSTICKERS’ GUIDE: Here is our exclusive Star Pinstickers’ Guide to Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree, compiled by WILLIAM KEDJANYI. Also check out the latest starsports.bet GRAND NATIONAL BETTING and look out for a huge range of specials and offers on the big race due off at 4.00pm.
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1 I Am Maximus (Paul Townend) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A dominant winner last year, when powering clear after the last to win by seven and a half lengths, with Minella Indo then third. Has been targeted at this race since, so efforts in the Savills and the Irish Gold Cup can be safely ignored, and whilst he’s 8lbs higher, that rise is very fair and he will have been trained to the minute for a repeat bid. Said to have pleased Paul Townend in his last work and is a major player.
2 Royale Pagaille (Charlie Deutsch) ⭐⭐
An absolute stalwart for Charlie Deutsch, Venetia Williams and the Ricci’s with two Betfiar Chase wins, including a battle royale in November when he got the better of Grey Dawning in an epic duel. He’s not hit the same form since and his two runs in handicaps at Haydock suggest he’s too high in the weights before the issue of the ground (best on soft surfaces) comes into account.
3 Nick Rockett (Patrick Mullins) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Has plenty of experience and an impressive CV in top staying handicaps, having finished third to stablemate and fellow rival Minella Cocooner in the Bet365 Gold Cup, and fourth behind Perceval Legallois in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown before winning the Thyestes and Bobbjyjo Chases back to back. He’s much worse off at the weights with Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles but has proven his credentials this season and can run a big race here. A must for the shortlist.
4 Grangeclare West (Brian Hayes) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
He was one of the best novice chasers around when beating Corbetts Cross in the Nevile Hotels novice chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival in 2023, and ran a screamer when second in the Irish Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs at this year’s Dublin Racing Festival. On that form he has every chance but he was a disappointment in the Webster Cup at Navan when last seen, and the trip is a possible question mark.
5 Hewick (Gavin Sheehan) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A modern legend of the game, winning the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, Galway Plate, American Grand National, and King George VI Chase. Second in the Down Royal Champion Chase in November and then followed up hjs seventh in the Irish Gold Cup with a comfortable hurdles win in decent conditions race. With decent ground by national standards, has plenty in his favour.
6 Minella Indo (Rachael Blackmore) ⭐⭐⭐
2021 Gold Cup winner and a hugely creditable third to I Am Maximus in this last year, and in only chase run since was a very fair second in October at Punchestown giving 6lbs to French Dynamite. Had a warm-up over hurdles and, despite being 12, is entitled to serious respect off a 1lb lower mark than last year.
7 Appreciate It (Sean O’Keefe) ⭐
Back to winning ways when in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles in January, a well deserved win after fair efforts in top company, but his best looks to be behind him and stamina doubts as well to boot, so opposable.
8 Minella Cocooner (Johnathan Burke) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Was third off top weight to Intense Raffles in the Irish National last year and followed up with an incredibly game success (beat Nick Rockett into third) in the Bet365 Gold Cup, finishing incredibly strongly off what was a relatively slow pace for a staying handicap chase. Has been prepared for this since, with his three runs in Grade 1 company easily ignored, whilst his fourth in the Thyestes came on a softer surface than he may want. Overpriced.
9 Conflated (Jordan Gainford) ⭐
A two-time Grade 1 winner over fences in 2022, he’s been disappointing since and has dropped 10lbs. Ran a good race in the Plate at Cheltenham but wasn’t able to get involved and easily opposable.
10 Stumptown (Keith Donoughe) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the most in form horses in the race, having won his last three over the banks, including an impressive victory in the Festival Cross country, which is now a handicap (seven length winner off 157). Travelled like a dream coming into the home straight and finished his race strongly at Cheltenham, suggesting that this test will suit him down to the ground, and has to be a leading player here.
11 Hitman (Freddie Gingell) ⭐⭐
One of the most talented horses in the field, with creditable seconds this season in the Old Roan, at Ascot, and also in the Denman Chase, but has found winning difficult (just one win in the last four years) and also doesn’t appear likely to relish this trip, so others appeal more.
12 Beauport (Sam Twiston-Davies) ⭐⭐⭐
A high-class handicap chaser who took the Midlands National in 2024 before not showing the same form in the Scottish National afterwards. Was right on song when he turned the Berkshire National into an absolute route, putting his rivals under pressure they couldn’t handle. Has since run two cracking races over hurdles to protect his mark, finishing a fine third in the Long Walk and a good second at Haydock, and has a very fair racing weight. Ought to go well and not many will beat him for stamina.
13 Bravemansgame (James Reveley) ⭐⭐
One of the best trainers in chasing during 2022/2023, winning the King George and then finishing second to Galopin des Champs in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (also third at Punchestown) but has since felt the effects of those efforts and looks regressive now, having finished weakly in the Denman Chase at Newbury last time out. Avoidable.
14 Chantry House (James Bowen) ⭐⭐
Immensely talented but had looked like his best days where behind him until he romped home at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Didn’t make an impact in the Cotswold Chase afterwards and has plenty to prove, with other contenders making much more appeal.
15 Threeunderthrufive (Harry Skelton) ⭐⭐⭐
Stacks of good form in valuable races, including a nose second in the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot when last seen. Prominent traveller and jumper who should have no problem with getting into a rythmn and his fourth in the Scottish Grand National two years ago suggests that he’ll stay but he may also be found out by the handicapper.
16 Perceval Legallois (Mark Walsh) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Has long been fancied for many big handicap chases but had been disappointing when beaten as favourite in the Galway Plate and Kerry National. It all came together for him in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, when he stormed home for a seven length win, and he followed up with victory over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival. Looked in great heart then and finished with the same zest that he did in the Paddy Power, and with the winning secret unlocked, he must rate a major player to all.
17 Kandoo Kid (Harry Cobden) ⭐⭐⭐
Third in the Topham last year when he relished the test and then stepped up a gear to take the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (formerly Hennessy), travelling powerfully and finding plenty to beat Broadway Boy. He had a satisfactory warm-up in the Greatwood when he didn’t have the pace of others over a shorter trip and is interesting, assuming stamina holds up. Ought to travel as well as any horse.
18 Iroko (Jonjo O’Neill Jr) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Second to now Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin at this meeting last year and has since been targeted at this race, with three promising efforts culminating in a fair second to Aintree Bowl runner up Grey Dawning. He has shaped as if a trip won’t be an issue, ground not a problem and fine racing weight, making him one of a number of horses with a serious shout off a fine racing weight.
19 Intense Raffles (JJ Slevin) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ground out victory in last year’s Irish Grand National and since pointed straight here, with two runs over hurdles at Navan before a fine second in the Thyestes to Nick Rockett, despite being rated 10lb inferior and having to give away 3lb. Now 15lbs better, he’s outstandingly handicapped on that basis, although the ground – watered, but on a drying surface with no rain forecast and warm temperatures – is a possible concern. If he handles it, he will have a huge say.
20 Senior Chief (Darragh O’Keffe) ⭐⭐⭐
High class horse who pushed Minella Cocooner close when the pair met on their chasing debuts, and bounced back from disappointment in Irish National to win a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham in October. Was beaten fair and square in the Coral Gold Cup and will need to have improved for something since then if he’s to reverse form with Kandoo Kid, but he ought to give Darragh O’Keefe a good spin.
21 Idas Boy (Harry Bannister) ⭐
Sprung a shock when landing the Midlands National in Ireland (July 2024) and couldn’t follow it up in the Galway Plate off a higher mark. Presumably, this has been the target but will do well to get involved at 11 years old, even if at his best with the class on show.
22 Fil Dor (Jordan Gainford) ⭐
Respectable form since going chasing, finishing behind Dinoblue, El Fabiolo, and Saint Sam, but is taking a massive step up in trip and hasn’t finished out his races well. Won a match when 1/40 at Thurles but hasn’t quite built on the promise of his earlier career and not sure that this test is going to suit.
23 Broadway Boy (Tom Bellamy) ⭐⭐
Looked highly promising as a front-running novice chaser but didn’t quite fulfil that promise (threatened to be graded class) and after a promising reappearance behind Senior Chief, he was a fine second in the Coral Gold Cup behind Kandoo Kid when recovering from a bad mistake four out. Disappointed twice since at Cheltenham (physical issues the first time, no obvious excuse at Festival), and others appeal more.
24 Coko Beach (Jody McGargvey) ⭐
Jumps and stays well but hasn’t been in a mile of Stumptown, Nick Rockett, or Vaniller when they last met and easily passed over.
25 Stay Away Fay (Paul O’Brien) ⭐
High class as a staying novice chaser, landing a Grade 2 and then finishing third in the Cotswold Chase giving weight away, but since hasn’t been anything like the same horse, pulled up in the Scottish National, at Hurdles over Wincanton and never sighted in the Ultima. Others appeal much more.
26 Meetingofthewaters (Danny Mullins) ⭐⭐⭐
One of the most progressive staying handicap chasers in training a season ago, romping home in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown before finishing a creditable third in the Ultima and then travelling smoothly into this race last year before appearing not to get home, fading in the straight and down the elbow. Arrives here well handicapped, just 1lb higher, but the stamina question remains.
27 Monbeg Genius (Nick Scholfield) ⭐⭐⭐
Rapidly progressive in 2022/23, taking two handicap chases at Chepstow in style before finishing third in the best renewal of the Ultima on record – good third in the Coral Gold Cup of that year but has gone off the boil since until his fourth in the Welsh National and an impressive win at Uttoxeter last time out. Has place claims if putting his best foot forward, assuming his best days aren’t behind him.
28 Vanillier (Sean Flanagan) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A closing second to Corach Rambler in 2023 renewal here but didn’t have the same spark despite being well handicapped last year, finishing only 14th. Had been off the boil until bolting up over the banks at Punchestown in February and then finishing a hugely creditable third in the Cross Country despite taking the wrong course at the third obstacle. On that form he is a seriously well handicapped horse – but has his best chance been and gone?
29 Horantzau D’Airy (Ciraran Gethings) ⭐⭐
Ex-Willie Mullins inmate will make his first appearance for his new trainer Michael Keady when he lines up at Aintree having changed handicaps for 50,000 guineas. Creditable performances when second to runaway winner Flooring Porter in the Kerry National and Real Steel in the Munster National, but well behind in the Paddy Power and at the Dublin Racing Festival and In deeper waters here again.
30 Hyland (Nico De Boinville) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Improved massively for fences and a step up in trip, winning back-to-back novice chases at Showcase and Open meetings in October and November from good yardsticks before a fine second to the high-class novice chaser The Jukebox Man in the Kauto Star at Christmas. Could never reel in Katate Dori in the Ladbrokes Trophy, but the ground was softer than he wanted, and he made eye-catching late progress up the straight, suggesting an extended marathon trip was at least worth a try.
31 Celebre D’Allen (Micheal Nolan) ⭐⭐⭐
The oldest runner in the field, although he has two strong efforts – even if not recent – having finished fourth in the Topham last year before winning well at Bangor. A 7lbs rise for that effort is fair, and he frankly carried better credentials than a few here, but he was tired when fourth in the Becher Chase (heavy) in December 2023, so others may stay better and others certainly have more to give.
32 Three Card Brag ⭐⭐⭐
Did far too much too soon when seventh in the Paddy Power Chase and since broken his duck over fences and finished second to Graded rivals in a Grade 2 at Navan. Great racing weight and ought to enjoy the test, although he will need to use reverses sparingly to get home here.
33 Twig ⭐⭐
A fine second in the Ultima of 2024 (was fifth in the 3m1f handicap chase on today’s card after that) and has since been campaigned solely over hurdles. Has a fair mark due to that and looks like he’ll stay standing on his head, but we may have seen his best.
34 Duffle Coat ⭐⭐⭐
Took the Mayo National at Ballinrobe last May and was running a big race when brought down two out in the National Hunt Chase at Chetenham when last seen. Second in the Galway Plate on good ground is also eye-catching, and – compared to the rest of the field – has no weight. Interesting at huge odds, for all that this is a much classier race than the National Hunt Chase.
VERDICT
One of the highest quality renewals of the Grand National on paper for some years, with a number of progressive handicap chasers and several horses on the verge of graded class, and the outstanding cross-country chaser of the season. Perceval Legallois has long been thought of as a top handicap chaser and finally repaid the faith with an emphatic Paddy Power Chase win at Leopardstown over Christmas, hitting the line in a fashion that suggested he may well thrive for the national trip. This distance is perhaps a leap into the unknown, and he may not be the most fluent jumper, but the modern national suits a horse of his typ,e and he has some of the strongest form claims in the field.
Willie Mullins has swept all before him at Aintree so far and has a typically strong hand, with last year’s Bet365 Gold Cup winner Minella Cocooner of interest. The cat is out of the bag somewhat with regard to his price, but this ground ought to suit him perfectly and he’s nicely weighted on a line through fellow contender and Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles to boot. His Grade 1 runs this season can be forgotten, and he should also enjoy a sounder surface here than in the Bobbyjo, behind Nick Rockett and Intense Raffles. He’s also had a quieter preparation for this than he did of the Bet365, which he won after a third in the Irish National only 26 days earlier.
Go all in on the Bobbyjo form line by having the Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles and the Thyestes and Bobbyjo winner Nick Rockett onside. Intense Raffles has been pointed in this direction since his Fairyhouse success and, despite being rated 10lb inferior and having to give away 3lbs. he got the better off Nick Rockett at Fairyhouse. He’s 15lbs better off with Nick Rockett now and if handling the ground and the early pace – the big questions – then he’s arguably the best handicapped horse in this field.
Nick Rockett is badly off at those weights but everything else about him screams national contender. A fine fourth in the Paddy Power on his comeback, he jumped, travelled and fought to the line to take the Thyestes and then showed guts and class to double that up with the Bobbyjo. This test ought to suit him down to the ground. He’s a better horse than he’s ever been, stamina wouldn’t appear to be a problem and neither would the ground.
The most appealing of the home challengers at the prices is Hyland, who is light on experience but has shaped as if he can go at least further than 3m, with two impressive defeats of solid yardsticks at Cheltenham suggesting he will be comfortable going forward to a marathon trip, and a mark of 147 has given him a phenomenal racing weight after a fine second at Kempton that can be marked up. At the prices, he just beats Iroko – one of the classiest of the market leaders who has been laser-focused at this race – and the Gavin Cromwell cross-country pairing of Stumptown and Vanillier. Beauport, who has been in excellent form over hurdles and has stamina all but confirmed, is another to consider. Last year’s winner I Am Maximus is worthy of massive respect, although this is a better renewal and at the time of writing, he’s too short at 6/1 with Star. Here are my preferred horses, in order – good luck!
1. Perceval Legallois
2. Minella Cocooner
3. Intense Raffles
4. Nick Rockett
5. Hyland
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