Best Of Bets

Tag: Randox Grand National 2025

  • Grand National 2025: First Four Home

    Grand National 2025: First Four Home

    The biggest race of the year. The Grand National. Everyone has their own little traditions, their own ways to pick a winner and their own ways to watch the race around the world. This year, on this column, I aim to pick the National winner, just like last year and the year previous. Could we make it a hat-trick in the biggest race of the year?

    Main Pick: Vanillier @ 14/1 (General)

    The 2023 Grand National second is making the top of the list for me in this year’s race. Last year he was underwhelming finishing well behind in mid-division and his weight was not exactly perfect. Today, however, he returns to that same runner-up mark as 2023, 147. He also has form entering this contest. He won the P.P Hogan Memorial Cross-Country Chase at Punchestown before placing a good third behind stablemate Stumptown in the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham last month.

    He loves these types of races and with a low weight can go one better than his 2023 effort. Also he represents a trainer that, arguably, holds the strongest hand in this year’s race, Gavin Cromwell. He runs Perceval Legallois and Stumptown, but Vanillier’s experience over these National fences should not put him down the pecking order.

    Runner-Up: Three Card Brag @ 22/1 (William Hill, Betfred)

    Three Card Brag may seem an unusual type on form, but he looks an out-and-out Grand National horse. His wins have mainly come on soft or soft-heavy ground and may look unsuited on the ground for this race. But he fits the trends for winners of this race. He finished in the top three of a Grade Two Chase at Navan back in February, he’s rated between 143 and 150 (146) and carries less than 10-13 in the race (10-5).

    He’s trained by a man who knows how to win this race, Gordon Elliott, even though he may have been out of form lately. He may be a mud slugger but the longer he stays the more chance he has of being up there at the finish. Also his trainer has no less than five entries and racks up a few marathon handicap chases in Ireland throughout the season.

    Third-place: Nick Rockett @ 25/1 (Betfred)

    Nick Rockett is third on the list of 34, which doesn’t make for great reading at first. But consider what he has won and the manner of which he has. He won the famous Irish Trial for this race, the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, beating Intense Raffles by 0.75L that day. Prior to that race he won the ultra-competitive Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park for Willie Mullins back in mid-January.

    He’s chasing a hat-trick and this race, will have been the plan from the moment he recorded a top-seven finish in the Irish Grand National last year and finishing fourth in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown after that. He’s another marathon runner who will appreciate the better ground and is not to be discounted with a certain Mr P W Mullins taking the ride.

    An Outsider: Monbeg Genius @ 50/1 (General)

    Do not write any outsiders off in the Grand National at all. Whilst it may a more concentrated field, 34 runners is still hard a minefield to predict a winner. Monbeg Genius was a very useful winner of a three-mile chase at Uttoxeter back in February and avoided all the hustle and bustle of minor National events and Cheltenham.

    Earlier this season he finished second in a marathon chase on Betfair Chase day at Haydock, whilst finishing fourth in the chaotic Welsh Grand National as he fought his way through the mud and the fog just to finish. Looking back he finished third at the Cheltenham Festival and third in a Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. There’s no doubting he’s a stayer and maybe an extended three-mile chase, maybe even a four mile trip, will suit him perfectly. He will also have been hoping for better ground and will be looking for another top four finish in a big marathon contest.

    The very best of luck to whoever you are back in the Grand National 2025.

  • Grand National 2025 | Vanillier No Bland Challenger

    Grand National 2025 | Vanillier No Bland Challenger

    As National Hunt season begins its wind-down post Cheltenham, could it be third time lucky for Vanillier in the 2025 Randox Grand National?

    In the second of three in-focus looks at this year’s edition of the world’s most famous steeplechase, BestofBets has plucked a favourite, a mid-range and longer punt from the start list and here look at one of Gavin Cromwell’s big hopes.

    On the back of a hugely successful Cheltenham for the Irish trainer, in his third National outing brings his biggest list of entries to date, including one of the big favourites, winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country at Cheltenham, Stumptown.

    But could stablemate, Vanillier, finally rise to the occasion at Aintree?

    Plucky runner-up

    Just over two years ago on 15 April 2023, the 175th running of the Grand National took place, shrouded in controversy following animal welfare protests, with the race delayed by a full 14 minutes as protestors stormed the race course.

    Through the mist and mire of uncertainty rose Corach Rambler, a 9yo who took full advantage of a 10-pound weight advantage – allocated before his second victory in the Ultima a month before at Cheltenham.

    As trainer Lucinda Russell picked up her second National winner, bringing up the rear only two lengths behind to finish runner-up – and surging – Vanillier stormed home at a lofty 20/1, pocketing Gavin Cromwell over £200,000.

    This weekend, 24 months on, Cromwell gives his now 10yo a third crack a glory after plans for a return attempt in 2024 went decidedly awry.

    Struggle

    Last year, Vanillier was the antepost favourite at 7/1 and after his sterling but largely forlorn charge the year before, his weight allowance had drawn the attentions of punters in the market.

    However, by post-time his price had doubled to 14s. In hindsight, last year’s softer ground did him no favours.

    Seeing I Am Maximus take the spoils for the second race in a row after the two met at Fairyhouse, Vanillier was very much a midfield runner and weakened late on to finish outside the top 10 in 14th spot.

    In theory, the going this year may not prove much more to his liking, but following a better showing at Cheltenham and on good to soft ground, Vanillier could yet throw the challenge down to Stumptown.

    Wrong Turn

    Vanillier is one of many contenders this year who are seeing a sizeable nibble in the market and for good reason.

    So would ground set to be a good deal firmer, but still officially likely good, serve Vanillier better? The jury is out on that particular deliberation.

    Without doubt, Cromwell’s runner has had his best results on softer or heavier ground – including February’s cross county win at Punchestown and 2021 victory in the Albert Bartlett.

    It was in the former race that caused many a punter to fancy his chances in the Glenfarclas at Cheltenham last month, but said hopes took a turn for the worse – quite literally.

    Leading the field out, Vanillier bolted over fence 3 and together with Escaria Ten, narrowly avoided taking the wrong path over the 3m5.5f route.

    However, just to underline his credentials, not only did he recover to midfield within a mile, but put himself in the frame to win the race.

    As it turned out, the momentum lost scuppered his winning chances, but as he watched 5/2f Stumptown go on to victory, Vanillier again chased his stablemate and Latenightpass into a hugely creditable third place.

    If we consider his two late efforts in both the 2023 National and last month in Gloucestershire, Vanillier has a proven engine.

    It sounds perhaps obvious to again state in the race, but if Cromwell’s other big runner remains in the picture toward the closing stages, there will be real chances.

    But in the case of this grey gelding in particular, if he is not only in the mix but has left enough to tear home once more, Vanillier and likely mount Sean Flanagan could be on to a very, very good thing this weekend.

  • Grand National 2025 | Market Mover Hewick Can Mount Bid

    Grand National 2025 | Market Mover Hewick Can Mount Bid

    As the 2025 Randox Grand National moves into view, can Hewick puts his name up in lights once more?

    Some 16 months on from snatching King George VI glory at Kempton, the 10yo trained by JJ Hanlon had since been on a losing streak of seven races, but returns to Aintree on the back of a win.

    A horse with immense character and heart but with just one Group 1 win to his name, could Hewick silence his doubters, conquer the ultimate test of equine endurance and claim one of the biggest prizes in jump racing?

    Kempton glory

    Boxing Day, 2023. A crisp, sunny winter’s afternoon at Kempton Park, with the King George VI Chase once more the highlight of the festive racing calendar.

    As Allaho and Paul Townend lined up the 11/8F, both a resurgent Shishkin and defending champ, Bravemansgame, lurked to spoil the day for Willie Mullins.

    But amongst the longer prices, a plucky 8yo and former winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup, Hewick and jockey Gavin Sheehan would cause a sensation.

    As the closing stages of the contest approached the final fences, it looked a three-way scrap between the main players. In the rear-view mirrors, however, a dash of green was making a surge.

    With the penultimate jump negotiated by the leaders, Shishkin suddenly lost his footing, unseating Nico de Boinville, impeding Allaho and Bravemansgame badly, seemingly setting up a one-on-one finale. But they had not reckoned on the plucky outsider.

    As the gap closed at the front, Hewick surged toward the final fence – still in third – but driven on by Sheehan. Leaping the barrier, both leaders began to tie up having lost momentum. Hewick then bolted up and stormed past both runners to claim a famous and unlikely win.

    A 12/1 winner, Hewick was touted for another shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but as on more than one occasion last term, the weather gods did not play ball.

    However, that could change this weekend.

    Form

    For any Hewick backer this weekend, it is important to note the margin in time between his last victory.

    Yet, after a run of seven races without a win, his last outing in the Jimmy Neville Memorial Hurdle at Thurles – during Cheltenham week – ended a near 15-month drought.

    It is also worth noting his aforementioned misfortunes in terms of going, which has forced his withdrawal from many a marquee contest.

    What looks to be a big factor this year, is for even casual observers of the forecast for the week ahead, the weather at Aintree – like much of the UK this early spring – is warm, sunny and importantly for Hewick and JJ Hanlon, dry.

    Winning at home on Irish turf last time out on good ground, sticklers for form will note that his big Kempton day was on ground good and not a million miles from a firmer deck.

    Market mover

    So on recent form and potential going alone, Hewick’s chances are there; the punters believe so too.

    Available for around 25/1 only a fortnight back, the 10yo’s price has halved and at time of writing hovers around the single figure in odds, and at a best price of 10/1 with SpreadEx.

    Perhaps the big concern is the sheer gruelling nature of the biggest test of horse and jockey, and the gelding’s furthest trip to date was in the Midlands Grand National some three years where he was pulled up. However, on that day, the ground was considerably softer and not to his liking.

    Hewick has been a proven chaser before and even having fallen late in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup, was well in the picture at a huge price.

    In terms of Aintree, his debut run came on National weekend last year in the Liverpool Hurdle, but where he could only muster a sixth place, his more recent brush with a second Group 1 winner came in the Ladbrokes Chase at Drogheda back in November, following home former Ryanair Chase victor Envoi Allen, but the very well fancied 8/11F Gerri Colombe.

    Of course, the National can be in large parts a lottery, but as we have seen in recent years with both Corach Rambler and the defending champion, I Am Maximus, a successful path can be plotted by one of the shorter prices.

    Hewick’s issue will be staying in the picture and out of any congestion over the jumps, but if he stays in the mix over the final mile, he can challenge.

    Make no mistake, he has the stamina and without any question the heart of a potential champion. His backers will certainly hope so.