The countdown is on to the 2025 Grand National, a race day engrained into many horse racing fans’ diaries. Over 70,000 spectators will descend on Aintree in Liverpool for this year’s renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase.
After an impressive triumph in 2024, I Am Maximus goes into the contest looking to defend his crown. However, the stats suggest it is going to be much tougher for Willie Mullins’ chaser this time around. Here is a look at what he will need to defy.
Top Weight Allocation
At 11st 12lb, I Am Maximus will carry top weight in the 2025 Grand National. No horse since Red Rum in 1974 has prevailed with top weight on their back. Mullins’ runner is 12/1 in the horse racing odds to match what the three-time winner achieved 31 years ago.
Royale Pagaille is the second highest-rated horse in the entries for Aintree at 11st 9lb. Those placing a bet on Grand National can get odds of 100/1 on the former Lancashire winner. If the top 34 horses in the entries all line up in the race, Broadway Boy will have the lowest weight allocation with 10st 9lb, 17lb less than the defending champion.
The manner of I Am Maximus’ victory in 2024 does indicate a repeat victory should not be ruled out. The nine-year-old remains open to improvement, and he will miss the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, ensuring he will be fresh for his trip to Liverpool.
Only Two Repeat Winners Since 1970
Red Rum and Tiger Roll are the only repeat winners of the Grand National since 1970. Red Rum made it look easy in the 70s, prevailing in 1973, 1974 and 1977. He was also runner-up in 1975 and 1976. Ginger McCain’s runner was credited with saving the race, as the popularity was decreasing prior to his success.
More recently, Tiger Roll won back-to-back renewals in 2018 and 2019. He was denied the chance to complete his hat-trick as there was no race in 2020. The multiple Grade One winner ran in the Aintree Bowl in 2021, rather than the 4m2½f contest.
The latest horse to attempt to defend his crown was Corach Rambler. The 2023 Aintree winner unseated his rider at the opening fence in the race last year.
Stronger Opposition This Year
This year’s Grand National is expected to be one of the strongest renewals for decades. There are multiple Grade One winners with entries, including L’Homme Presse, Envoi Allen and Hewick.
One of the rising stars in the chase division is last season’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase winner, Inothewayurthinkin. He has been supplemented for the Cheltenham Gold Cup at a cost of £25,000. The horse’s connections believe he has a great chance of ending Galopin Des Champs’ grip on the Gold Cup. After the Cheltenham Festival, Inothewayurthinkin will return to the UK for the Grand National. The last horse to win both of those races in the same season was Golden Miller in 1934.
The 2025 Grand National will take place on day three of Aintree’s three-day meeting on Saturday, the 5th of April.