Grand National pinstickers' guide to runners

Randox Grand National 2025

Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday, 5 April Time: 16:00 BST

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. Racecards, live text, results & reports on the BBC Sport website and app.

Runners, riders, trainers and form - all the key details you need to know for Saturday's big race at Aintree.

Note: Colours and approximate odds may change.

(Racecard number, horse, trainer, jockey, recent form, age, weight carried [ie 11st 12lb is top weight]. Form: F - Fell, P - Pulled up, U - Unseated rider.)

Verdict: Lots with chances but Senior Chief could still be improving, while Hewick looks primed to run well.

1 Senior Chief 2 Hewick 3 Stumptown 4 Iroko

Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Paul Townend

Form: 311-P8 Age: 9 Weight: 11-12

Convincing victor last year, having won the Irish National 12 months earlier, and could well be in the shake-up again. Pinpointed two months ago by 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy - who advises the owner - as the pick of JP McManus' stellar squad. Would be the first horse carrying top weight to triumph since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s.

Rating: 8/10 Odds: 6-1

Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch

Form: F-1P66 Age: 11 Weight:11-9

Thrives in different conditions, at Haydock in the mud – scene of five of his seven career victories, including back-to-back runnings of the Betfair Chase. Past three runs have been disappointing. Owned by flamboyant former banker Rich Ricci, you might not get rich backing this one although trainer did triumph with 100-1 outsider Mon Mome in 2009.

Rating: 5/10 Odds: 125-1

Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Patrick Mullins

Form: 73-411 Age: 8 Weight: 11-8

Owner Stewart Andrew clearly thinks he's a rocket - he eyed Cheltenham Gold Cup, but trainer preferred to go for the National. Would be an emotional winner as Andrew's wife Sadie died in December 2022, five days after watching Nick Rockett in his first race. A winner of the Thyestes Chase then Bobbyjo Chase, where Intense Raffles was runner-up, but that rival better off at the weights here. Jockey rides for trainer father.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1

Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Brian Hayes

Form: 1-P625 Age: 9 Weight: 11-8

Would be a poignant winner as the last horse bought for owners Cheveley Park Stud by joint boss David Thompson at the end of 2020, just 19 days before his death. Runner-up in Irish Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs at 66-1 when finishing ahead of subsequent Cheltenham winners Fact To File and Inothewayurthinkin. Drying ground should suit.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1

Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon (IRE) Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

Form: 232571 Age: 10 Weight: 11-7

An £800 bargain buy who has won big races including the King George VI Chase, Bet365 Gold Cup, Galway Plate and American Grand National. Trainer, nicknamed 'Shark', has taken horse into local pub to celebrate victories, and believes he could be sent off favourite. Well backed in lead-up to race, would be suited by dry spell with good going right up his street.

Rating: 8/10 Odds: 10-1

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead (IRE) Jockey: Rachael Blackmore

Form: 443-26 Age: 12 Weight: 11-3

Looked a potential winner last year in closing stages before finishing third. Triumphed in 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup for trainer, who won National a month later with stablemate Minella Times as Rachael Blackmore became first female jockey to win the race. Could easily be prominent again for her although would be some effort to become only third horse to complete Gold Cup-National double.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1

Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe

Form: 2-5351 Age: 11 Weight: 11-2

Showed bundles of promise when winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival four years ago but much of that has been unfulfilled. Won for the first time in two years last time out at Thurles. Not the most obvious victor in trainer's talented team and no guarantee at all that he will appreciate this marathon distance.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1

Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Jonathan Burke

Form: 0-8P43 Age: 9 Weight: 11-2

While powerful trainer has other hopefuls, including last year's winner, don't let this one go under the radar. Third under top weight to Intense Raffles in last year's Irish Grand National before winning Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Breeding and form point to potential for big run. Minella horses take their name from a Tipperary family hotel run by racehorse trader John Nallen.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1

Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: Jordan Gainford

Form: U58708 Age: 11 Weight: 11-2

Boasts some decent form including Irish Gold Cup win, when Minella Indo was second, albeit that was three years ago. Has run well at this meeting before, including a good second to Jonbon over shorter distance last year. Trainer seeking fourth victory in race, but suspicion is age, weight and longer trip may be against this one.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Jockey: Keith Donoghue

Form: -U1111 Age: 11 Weight: 11-2

Secured fourth straight victory of the season by winning Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham Festival in fine style last month. That is the same race Tiger Roll won before his 2018 and 2019 National triumphs. Stumptown's trainer went to town at Cheltenham by landing the Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin, who was then made hot favourite for this but skips the race.

Rating: 8/10 Odds: 8-1

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Freddie Gingell

Form: 83-222 Age: 9 Weight: 11-1

Part-owned by former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Hitman has been a bit hit and miss. Has a habit of coming second - finishing runner-up in 11 of his 26 races - and this distance is a real unknown. Talented 19-year-old jockey credits much of his success to his mother Kim who died in 2020 from cancer aged 43.

Rating: 5/10 Odds: 150-1

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Form: 1P-132 Age: 9 Weight: 11-1

Jockey rides for trainer father, who has landed the race twice before. Winner of Midlands Grand National last year. Owner Bryan Burrough hoping for second success, 42 years after his colours were carried to victory by the Jenny Pitman-trained Corbiere. It's a tough ask but had a convincing victory over fences at Ascot earlier in season and stamina looks assured.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: James Reveley

Form: 6-2383 Age: 10 Weight: 11-0

Form has dipped since reaching top of his game two or three years ago. Won jump racing's festive showpiece, the King George VI Chase at Kempton, in 2022 and was second a year later. In between, finished runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Will take a brave man or woman to pick this one after an 11-race losing run. Stable jockey rides Kandoo Kid.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen

Form: 9-5515 Age: 11 Weight: 10-13

Bit of an enigma. Was on a 10-race losing run when won well at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Maybe he was just in the party mood. Green and gold colours of owner JP McManus look more likely to succeed elsewhere, although there is a breeding positive - Chantry House's sire Yeats was also dad to 2022 National winner Noble Yeats.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Skelton

Form: 210-32 Age: 10 Weight: 10-12

Named after owner Max McNeill's late father and ex-professional golfer Ted, who was three under par through five holes to lead The Open at Royal Portrush in 1951. Will the gelding be above or below par? Fourth in the Scottish National two years ago but well behind Minella Cocooner and Nick Rockett in last season's Bet365 Gold Cup.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Jockey: Mark Walsh

Form: 286411 Age: 8 Weight: 10-12

Another powerful weapon in the armoury of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer, who also has Stumptown and Vanillier. A beaten favourite for both the Galway Plate and Kerry National but form of his Leopardstown win in December reads well and now takes a big step up in trip. Named after a 1970s film about a 12th Century knight, could he put his rivals to the sword here?

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 12-1

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden

Form: P23-18 Age: 9 Weight: 10-11

Decent third in Topham Chase over National fences last year. Won Coral Gold Cup, formerly the Hennessy, at Newbury in November. Only one horse, Many Clouds, has gone on to also win the National, though trainer thinks he can do it. He won in 2012 with Neptune Collonges and says the grey Kandoo Kid is the "ideal horse for the race".

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr

Form: 2-2F42 Age: 7 Weight: 10-11

A Cheltenham Festival winner in 2023. Second at Aintree meeting 12 months ago to subsequent Gold Cup winner Inowthewayurthinkin when nominated by owner JP McManus as his 'National horse for next year'. Joint-trainer Oliver Greenall's father Lord Daresbury is former racecourse chairman who has an Aintree stand named after him. Co-trainer Josh Guerriero won Foxhunters' Chase over National fences as amateur jockey in 2008.

Rating: 8/10 Odds: 9-1

Trainer: Tom Gibney (IRE) Jockey: JJ Slevin

Form: 11-902 Age: 7 Weight: 10-10

Sounds like a deadly serious lottery, and has a deadly serious chance. Winner of the Irish Grand National last year. Nearly all of his races have been on soft or heavy ground. The grey runs in the 'double green' colours of owner-breeders Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Showed his wellbeing when second, despite carrying more weight, to Nick Rockett at Fairyhouse in February.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 10-1

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead (IRE) Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe

Form: 1P-169 Age: 9 Weight: 10-10

Pulled up in last year's Irish National but marked himself out as a candidate for this race when winning well at Cheltenham in October. Subsequently sixth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury when he was staying on, which could be a good sign for the test ahead. Owned by the Lucky In Life Syndicate. Will the horse live up to their name?

Rating: 8/10 Odds: 25-1

Trainer: Richard Phillips Jockey: Harry Bannister

Form: F03106 Age: 11 Weight: 10-10

Previously based in Ireland, where he won the Midlands National last summer at Kilbeggan. Having second run for amiable Gloucestershire trainer, who does a nice line in impressions. He helped buy the horse with John Rosbotham, a friend of 55 years with whom he dreamed in the school playground of having a National runner, and it runs for a syndicate of 12 called the Dozen Dreamers.

Rating: 4/10 Odds: 100-1

Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: Sam Ewing

Form: 212433 Age: 7 Weight: 10-9

Five of his six wins have come at roughly half the distance of this race. Looks an uphill task on the face of it, but interestingly mentioned as a potential surprise package by the trainer – who has won three times previously - when weights for the race were announced in February. Would probably benefit from soft ground.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Tom Bellamy

Form: 5-324P Age: 7 Weight: 10-9

Owner David Proos hoping to go two better after his family silks were carried to third by Rinus in 1990. No forlorn hope based on his second to Kandoo Kid in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. One for alliteration fans - could Broadway Boy follow Mon Mome, Party Politics and Red Rum as a nifty-sounding National winner for trainer, who has triumphed twice before?

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 66-1

Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: Jody McGarvey

Form: U50029 Age: 10 Weight: 10-9

Eleventh in last year's race, when hampered late on, having previously finished eighth and pulled up. Prominent on each occasion before fading. Winner of the Troytown Chase in 2023. Will probably be spotted towards the front again but takes a leap of faith to see him stay there and become only the fourth grey horse to win the National.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Paul O'Brien

Form: 3PP-P0 Age: 8 Weight: 10-9

Looked to be heading for big things after winning Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2023 but career over the bigger obstacles has not been straightforward and pulled up on three of his past four runs. Jockey called up for first ride in race after original bookings Bryony Frost (riding in France) then Johnny Burke (on Minella Cocooner instead) were unavailable

Rating: 5/10 Odds: 66-1

Trainer: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Danny Mullins

Form: 37-008 Age: 8 Weight: 10-7

'Caught the eye' of last year's winning trainer when the weights were revealed in February. Finished seventh in 2024 when appeared to run out of steam. That could be perceived as a stamina doubt, although might see out the trip better now a year stronger and stable's Hedgehunter won in 2005 after a tired late fall the previous year.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 25-1

Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O'Neill Jockey: Nick Scholfield

Form: 5P-241 Age: 9 Weight: 10-9

Intriguing contender who finished fourth in the Welsh Grand National before ending a two-year losing run with victory at Uttoxeter. Finished third to subsequent National winner Corach Rambler at Cheltenham Festival two years ago. Formerly owned by Tory peer Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman before being sold last year to Martin Tedham, who sponsors the trainer's yard.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell (IRE) Jockey: Sean Flanagan

Form: -P6913 Age: 10 Weight: 10-6

This was my selection in 2023, when he ended up finishing second to Corach Rambler for shrewd trainer. Was 14th last year on softer ground but comfortable Punchestown win in February showcased his credentials. Jockey is qualified aircraft pilot although nearly took wrong route at Cheltenham last month before recovering to finish third in Cross Country Chase. Chance again if the satnav is working.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 10-1

Trainer: Michael Keady Jockey: Ciaran Gethings

Form: F22999 Age: 8 Weight: 10-6

Runner-up in the Kerry and Munster Nationals when trained by Willie Mullins but switched stables last month. Now based in the Flat racing capital of Newmarket. Trainer set up on his own five months ago and is looking for first win over jumps in biggest steeplechase of all. Has to be a doubt over whether this contender possesses the same ability and stamina as some of his rivals.

Rating: 4/10 Odds: 100-1

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville

Form: 141122 Age: 8 Weight: 10-6

Novice chaser looking to break duck for trainer, who is one of the greats but has poor record in this race – with no win from 43 previous runners. Sound jumper who should like the ground. Need an omen? One of the owners, Paul Humphreys, was born on same day as Grand National legend Red Rum. Their syndicate once included the late John Sillett, Coventry City's FA Cup-winning manager.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1

Trainer: Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Jockey: Micheal Nolan

Form: 45U4-1 Age: 13 Weight: 10-6

The obstacles should not be an issue, having finished eighth and fourth in the past two runnings of the shorter Topham Chase over the National fences. However, this is a longer and stiffer task. No 13-year-old horse has won the National since Sergeant Murphy 102 years ago and hard to see an equine teenager being celebrated this time around.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 150-1

Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: Sean Bowen

Form: -33713 Age: 10 Weight: 10-5

This race has been the long-term plan, says the trainer, who has been successful three times before. And he has been dealt a nice hand with the horse sneaking in towards the bottom of the weights. Rider is actually allergic to horses, but is on the verge of becoming British champion jockey and steps in for injured Jack Kennedy.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1

Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Beau Morgan

Form: 5-2P77 Age: 10 Weight: 10-5

A family affair as 20-year-old jockey rides horse owned by his mother Georgia. The expected sunny conditions should suit as six of his seven wins have come on good ground. Second in the Ultima Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival, he ran three times over hurdles this season before finishing a distant seventh in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 80-1

Trainer: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Jockey: Danny Gilligan

Form: 352P4B Age: 8 Weight: 10-4

Unlikely to need a Duffle Coat on Merseyside this weekend with sunny spells forecast and temperatures expected to reach 18C. Unlikely too that this grey will prove good enough to triumph despite low weight. Runner-up in last summer's Galway Plate and has finished second several times but only managed to wrap up one win from his past 27 races.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1