Formerly trained in France by Patrice Quinton, Intense Raffles joined Thomas Gibney in Trim, Co. Meath in November 2023 and enjoyed an unblemished novice campaign in 2023/24, winning three times at Fairyhouse. His biggest win, so far, came in the Irish Grand National, run over three miles and five furlongs, on heavy going, at the Ratoath course on April 1, 2024. An 11lb weight rise inevitably followed, at least over fences, but for his first two starts of 2024/25 the son of top-class National Hunt sire Martaline has been campaigned over hurdles, for which his handicap mark remains 10lb lower.
After two modest efforts over the smaller obstacles at Navan in December and January, Intense Raffles made his first appearance of the season over obstacles in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase, over three and a quarter miles, back at Fairyhouse in late February. On that occasion, he made the running, but could never quite shake off the attentions of favourite Nick Rockett, who was in receipt of 3lb, and was eventually beaten threequarters of a length, with the pair 6 lengths clear of the third horse home.
Intense Raffles could potentitally face Nick Rockett again in the Grand National, in which the latter is set to concede 12lb, so it is not difficult to see why he is just second favourite, at 10/1, ante-post to become the first winner of the celebrated steeplechase in the two-tone green colours of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. All of his best form, so far, has come with plenty of cut in the ground so, while four miles and two and half furlongs seems likely to be within his compass, it remains to be see if he is quite so effective if the going at Aintree is slightly faster.
On 18th March, Intense Raffles became favourite to win the Grand National, to be held on Saturday, 5th Apr 2025, at 4:00 pm, when Inothewayurthinkin was withdrawn from the race.