The excitement is building.
Ante-post betting slip is burning a hole in my pocket.
Who doesn’t love the greatest steeplechase in the world? Four miles two and a half furlongs on this modified Grand National course. The ultimate test of horse and jockey. Thank the Lord we have come a long way from the days of horses jumping stone walls.
As seen last year, the new modifications should make the National safer for horse and jockey. The run to the first fence has been shortened blunt the speed at the first fence. And the reduction of horse numbers to 34 is a positive.
On the 11th February 2025, we saw the weights published for 90 Grand National Entrants.
The first withdrawal stage happens on the 25th February, were numbers will be substantially reduced and the betting market will bring more clarity. Much has to do with the intentions of connections and how individual horses are progressing with regard to their health and fitness. Any setbacks in training will see horses withdrawn.
Ante-post bettors will be looking for value.
From past experience, we have seen how horses can win and place at incredibly big odds. Who could forget Mon Mome (2009) winning for Venetia Williams at 100/1. A superb day for jockey Liam Tredwell and owner Vida Bingham.
The absence of one fancied horses in the betting can transform the market.
Let’s take a look at the Top 5 Grand National Runners 2025 for legendary gambler J.P.McManus.
As with most races, this with focus on horses at the top of the betting. However, we will add some insight regarding each runner and throw in a few stats.
It’s interesting to see J. P. McManus has a strong hand. After I Am Maximus success he detailed ambitions of winning consecutive races or more.
Let’s take a quick look at his successes in the Aintree Grand National:
2024 – I Am Maximus
2021 – Minella Times
2010 – Don’t Push It
These victories came via three different trainers: Willie Mullins (2024), Henry de Bromhead (2021) & Jonjo O’Neill (2010). It’s worth noting that all winners were well found in the market priced 7/1, 11/1 & 10/1 respectively.
It’s hardly a surprise from the Richest MAN From Limerick!
Self-made billionaire and professional gambler. The man who took £1M from Fearless Bookmaker Freddie Williams at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006. Sadly departed. It’s interesting to see McManus has I Am Maximus making a return to Aintree for second helpings. Considering Mullins said: ‘It would be a ‘tough’ task under top weight’ you get a feeling this return could be akin to eating a prickly pear.
Top 5 Grand National Runners :
1) I Am Maximus – Willie Mullins:
This nine-year-old son of Authorized ran out a very tidy winner in last year’s race. It was a perfect ride from Paul Townend. The issue could be carrying top weight of 11-12. I keep reading he’s carrying 8lb higher but from my maths it’s 6lb. With two runs under his belt this season, he hasn’t looked great pulling up and a long-beaten eighth at Leopardstown in the Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1). He finished almost exactly the same distance behind Galopin de Champs the year before. There is a lot to like about I Am Maximus but there must be concerns about the weight. In fact, no horse has won with more weight since Red Rum (1974) when he carried 12-00 for Ginger McCain, Brian Fletcher and flamboyant owner Noel Le Mare. That day it was a fast time for such a considerable weight but good ground. If the going is testing it may be an issue for I Am Maximus. Presently, priced at odds of 12/1.
2) Inothewayurthinkin – Gavin Cromwell:
This bay gelding, a son of Walk In The Park, is lightly raced for Navan trainer Gavin Cromwell. Another horse for J.P.McManus who was seen finishing a gallant fourth place in the Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (1st February). That was a fair effort when running on in the latter staged with I Am Maximus some ten lengths further behind. Looking on the betting exchanges, Inothewayurthinkin has been well backed (ante-post) from 30/1. A few thousand was bet at those odds. You have to think the money would be on the best of McManus horses so I’d take that as a pointer. He has valuable experience at the course when winning ‘comfortably’ in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) on soft ground over 3m 1f. That day he beat another protagonist in the shape of Iroko who looks to be heading to the National. Presently, priced at odds of 8/1.
3) Iroko – Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero:
Another of the J.P. McManus juggernauts. This seven-year-old French-bred gelding is lightly raced with four wins to his name. Iroko hasn’t raced beyond 3m 1f. The sire was very lightly raced with just four starts (raced from 2m 2f – 2m 3 1/3f) similar to the light-raced mare who had one win under her belt. Iroko finished behind Inothewayurthinkin in the Mildmay. His last three runs saw him hampered and fall when favourite at Ascot. It was interesting to read about his Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (25th January). A stewards’ Inquiry held into his running and riding where Jonjo O’Neill Jr said: ‘His instructions were to sit midfield and to try and get gelding jumping, having felt he lost his confidence after falling in his previous run at Ascot, adding that he had formed this opinion having schooled gelding at home…’ It doesn’t sound the best preparation for the Aintree Grand National. However, there has been good money for this gelding on the exchanged backed from 50/1. Also, he could be well in the weights at 10-11. Presently, priced at 14/1.
The two other fancied McManus horses are:
4) Meetingofthewaters – Willie Mullins:
He was fancied to go well when 11/1 behind I Am Maximus in the 2024 Aintree Grand National when finishing 7th beaten just under 16-lengths. He is weighted at 10-7. Presently, priced at odds of 25/1.
5) Percevall Legallois – Gavin Cromwell:
This eight-year-old gelding in the ownership of J.P.McManus is well raced and shown fair form winning two Listed races.
I’d suspect the shortest of these J.P.McManus horses is the one to be on.