The modern Grand National does not please everyone, be it those who feel it is too safe or those who feel the opposite, and it undoubtedly does not have the same grip on the public that it once did. But there are ways in which this year’s edition was a clear success, most notably that it was a high-quality renewal, with the first 3 all good enough to place in a typical Cheltenham Gold Cup judged on the form they showed here. Indeed, the well-established “race strength” measure, derived from the performance ratings of the first 5 home, was easily the highest in over 30 years, and very likely in history, with places often filled by horses putting up relatively ordinary performances back in the day. The margin to the third horse and to the fourth horse was the second-narrowest (behind 2007 and 2006 respectively) in over 30 years, with a large number of horses – and punters! – in with a shout until well into the closing stages. The pace was initially sensible – for instance, bang on recent averages between fences 2 and 6, which have not moved – but was stronger from after the Melling Road on the first circuit (before Fence 13) and did not let up from there until approaching the second-last. The finish from there was quite slow, but not very slow, reflecting a good test of stamina for conditions which were not as testing as sometimes on this well-watered course, but which still qualified as “good to soft”. Nick Rockett’s final 4f went by in 62.11s for a 102.4% finishing speed, where around 106.0% is “par”. One other reason to celebrate the 2025 Grand National was the unparalleled feat of Willie Mullins in saddling the first, second, third, fifth and seventh (as well as a brought-down runner), something the greatest jumps trainer of this century, and quite possibly of all time, was visibly moved by.
NICK ROCKETT (c168 here, 162 previously) put up the best Grand National-winning performance in many a year in defying such a high mark, with second and third rated right up with him also, taking well to these unique (but nowadays more forgiving) fences and travelling well towards the front of mid-division and having his move delayed until shaken up after 3 out, improving to lead narrowly at the next then in a battle royal with the second until asserting in the final 100 yards. He is in his prime in chasing terms but has not had a lot of racing, winning his race over fences on New Year’s Day last year, and could yet progress further in 2025/2026, when he should be making his mark in open Grade 1s given a sufficient test.
I AM MAXIMUS (c171 here, 164+ previously) could not quite back up his win in this race 12 months earlier but put up one of the best ever performances in defeat in this race (174-rated Suny Bay, runner-up in 1998, was the last horse to run to a figure over 170), mostly in mid-field on the inner, briefly niggled along soon after halfway, improving after 3 out, pretty much disputing the lead from 2 out, and going as short as 2/5 in running at one point, but held near the finish, this race less of a test of late speed than last year. He is young enough to have another crack (or 2) at this and his return to this unique test certainly saw a big revival compared to his 2 efforts in Grade 1s at 3m previously this campaign.
GRANGECLARE WEST (c166+ here and previously) confirmed the form he had shown when chasing home Galopin des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup 2 starts back, unlucky not to run the winner very close as he was knocked out of his stride by a mistake at the last, taking a while to recover then going on at the finish. He had raced towards the front of mid-field before improving after halfway, leading briefly before 2 out. His career has been punctuated with lengthy layoffs prior to this season and his trainer has done quite some job in getting him to this level twice this year already.
IROKO (c153 here, 160 previously) looked best in at the weights beforehand and shaped quite well in running respectably, in mid to rear early, none too fluent at a few on the Second Circuit, nodding at 2nd Valentine’s and with a bit to do until improving after 3 out, one paced when jumping left and a bit slowly at the last but going on again at the death. He has time on his side, as well as some valuable experience here now, though he will start the next campaign off a higher mark than he ran off here.
MEETINGOFTHEWATERS (c147+ here and previously) ran creditably but seemed to fail for stamina right at the end, patiently ridden until improving after 3 out, still third for much of the run-in.
SENIOR CHIEF (c149 here, 151 previously) put in a bold showing on his first attempt over these fences, towards the front of mid-field until closing 3 out, one paced late on but not dropping away as he might and as a few others did.
MINELLA COCOONER (c155+ here and previously) shaped better than the result and should be of interest if turned out again this campaign, making a couple of errors but never all that far away and in the mix (went as low as 4/1 in running) until no extra on the long run-in.
HEWICK (c156 here, 160 previously) ran a creditable race against mostly younger and, at least in some cases, better-handicapped rivals, close up (wider than most initially and despite a mistake at the 2nd Canal Turn) until gradually left behind from 2 out.
MINELLA INDO (c150 here, 159 previously) is not as good as he was but ran respectably, initially held up, progressing to have a chance after 3 out but no extra late on.
TWIG (c126 here, 144 previously)
THREE CARD BRAG (c125 here, 145 previously)
BEAUPORT (c125 here, 156 previously) was a bit too free, close up for a long way and in fact leading for a while mid-race.
HORANTZAU D’AIRY (c107 here, 141 previously)
VANILLIER (c106 here, 146 previously)
BRAVEMANSGAME (c108 here, 154 previously) took to things pretty well, jumping soundly and close up, initially quite wide, but faded out of contention late on.
CHANTRY HOUSE (c99 here, 154 previously)
CONFLATED (c0 here, 148 previously)
HITMAN (c0 here, 156 previously)
IDAS BOY (c0 here, 151 previously)
INTENSE RAFFLES (c0 here, 155 previously) was slowly away and behind, getting hampered a couple of times and seeming not to take to it, before being pulled up.
KANDOO KID (c0 here, 148+ previously) was held up in mid-to-rear and still travelling comfortably enough when falling at the 21st.
MONBEG GENIUS (c0 here, 146 previously)
PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS (c0 here, 154 previously)
ROYALE PAGAILLE (c0 here, 163? previously) was not going from before halfway.
STAY AWAY FAY (c0 here, ? previously)
STUMPTOWN (c0 here, 161 previously) was reported to be lame after the race, hampered a couple of times.
THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE (c0 here, 156 previously)
APPRECIATE IT (c0 here, 160 previously)
FIL DOR (c0 here, 151 previously)
BROADWAY BOY (c0 here, 150 previously) led most of the way, ensuring a good pace from before halfway, and was up by a few lengths when taking a crashing fall at the 25th (Second Valentine’s). Plenty were still to play their cards at that stage, and it is likely that he would have come back. He eventually got back up.
COKO BEACH (c0 here, 146 previously)
HYLAND (c0 here, 146 previously)
CELEBRE D’ALLEN (c0 here, 145 previously) looked like easily out-running his odds when leading briefly 3 out but stopped rapidly thereafter and was eventually pulled up on the run-in (reported to be suffering from heat stroke, from which he seemed to recover, but deteriorated a couple of days later and could not be saved).
DUFFLE COAT (c0 here, 143 previously)
