Grand National 2025: Five Irish horses to follow

Which name will scoop the title won by I Am Maximum 12 months ago? The champion went off as a 7/1 favourite that day and won for jockey Paul Townend, trainer Willie Mullins and JP McManus. The team did Irish racing proud, but will we see another winner with Irish connections score Saturday’s renewal?

In his first article for Joe, respected sportsbook writer Frank Monkhouse previews the 177th running of the race, highlighting the best picks for those chasing an Irish connection. You can read the article, pick your favourite from the names provided, and wager at any legal and licensed sportsbooks advertised on this page.

Bookmakers have created their markets, published the odds and built competition-crushing promotions, including free bets and cashback. Will Irish eyes be smiling? Here are some hopefuls determined to give backers a run for their money and something to cheer.

Stumptown

Saturday’s Grand National starts at 16:00 GMT and should last around 10 minutes. Stumptown is owned by the Furze Bush Syndicate and trained by the impressive and decorated Cromwell stable. 

The eight-year-old gelding was popular in the antepost betting and has been near the head of the market for many weeks. Will Stumptown live up to expectations and deliver backers a win at odds of around 8/1? You can have your say now at the top online bookmakers, including Irish-based Paddy Power.

Why trust Stumptown with your stake in Aintree’s flagship fixture? He arrives on a four-race winning run after scoring twice at Punchestown and Cheltenham. Last month's Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham festival was the most notable victory in that purple patch. He won that race by a sizable margin and has plenty more to offer. He’ll require another huge effort on Saturday, but Stumptown has the breeding, form and fitness to deliver.

Vannilier

The same stable running Stumptown in the Grand National also sends out Vannilier, meaning Team Cromwell is a force to be reckoned with this year. He’s not been quite as popular in the betting as his teammate, but Vannilier also ranks amongst the favourites, trading at around 10/1 early in the week. He’ll go off much shorter on race day.

Vannilier also shaped well in the Cross Country, ending third behind Stumptown and Latenightpass. It was a battling performance from the ten-year-old, who rallied despite his jockey almost taking the wrong course. 

What would’ve happened in the race had the pilot not made such a blunder? We’ll never know, but we can be sure that Vannilier has Grand National form, and his character ensures backers get a run for their money.

Hewick

Irish racing controlled the Grand National antepost betting, and Hewick is another that sat in the top five for much of the build-up. You could’ve backed Hewick at 9/1 with Paddy Power on Thursday, but it remains to be seen if he’ll go off anywhere near that quote. 

Personally, I haven’t seen such a competitive Grand National betting market in many years, and it’s easy to make a strong case for many of the favourites. Hewick is an experienced ten-year-old who travels to Aintree, having won four and finished second in his eight outings over jumps this season. 

What attracted bettors to Hewick? Besides his eye-catching form, he’s a small-sized horse, similar to the great Tiger Roll, who gave supporters many happy memories at this course and race. He’s a former King George winner and recently scored over hurdles at Thurles. Another gutsy horse who is more than capable of winning a National.

I Am Maximus

The 2024 Grand National winner returns to defend his crown, and bettors have been piling in for I Am Maximus all week. Will he be one of only a select few horses to win back-to-back Grand Nationals? Sports fans can’t wait to find out, but there’s reason to be confident.

The darling of a star-studded Willie Mullins yard arrives at the track with his form for the season, detailing three wins and two places from seven runs. I Am Maximus traded at 10/1 with Paddy Power in midweek, and that’s real value.

The nine-year-old gelding owned by JP McManus won this race 12 months ago when finishing 7 ½ lengths ahead of runner-up Delta Work, with Minella Indo in third and Galvin crossing the line in fourth place. He’s not won since that memorable day on Merseyside, but I Am Maximus looks primed for another huge race. Does he have it in him to join an exclusive list of multiple Grand National champions? Many dedicated and casual bettors believe the price makes it worth finding out.

Intense Raffles

Intense Raffles is the fifth and final addition to our Irish horses to follow on Saturday, who flies the flag for the Tom Gibney yard. Simon Munir and Isaac Souede own the seven-year-old and will go off with a season record of three wins and a second from six previous starts. 

Intense Raffles last won at Fairyhouse almost exactly 12 months ago. Since that success, he then twice finished down the pecking order before being best of the rest at Fairyhouse in February, crossing the line second less than a length behind odds-on shot Nick Rockett for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

Looking through his form, we note Intense Raffles won the Irish Grand National last year and continues to improve with every race. Does he have any chance of moving up a level to win the Aintree Grand National, adding the trophy to his Irish National success? The odds suggest he’ll be competitive.

Bet on the Grand National 2025

Using the website or mobile app, you can gamble on the Grand National at Paddy Power. Create an account, make your first deposit and place a bet on Saturday’s big race. If your pick wins, Paddy Power will add the returns to your balance if your pick wins within minutes.

Paddy Power customers also enjoy a list of Grand National specials, including enhanced odds, extra places each way, cashback, profit boosts, free bets and more. Gamble on the National or any of this week’s major sports fixtures at Paddy Power and enjoy competition-crushing odds on your selections.