Grand National Betting Preview
For much of the general population, the sport of horse racing rumbles on in the background, only rarely intruding on the public consciousness. However, that all changes on Saturday afternoon as racing explodes into the spotlight – making headline news on the front and back pages.
The reason for such clamour is the arrival of the biggest betting race of the British season, as the Randox Grand National rumbles into view. With its iconic obstacles, including The Chair, Canal Turn, and Becher’s Brook, “The National” has become a cornerstone of British sporting culture and is the one race of the year when everyone – from the shopkeeper to the milkman and on to great auntie Elsie has a bet.
With the public punting in their masses, it would seem rude not to join them. Here, we look at the key considerations when navigating the vast Grand National field and pick out our three best bets ahead of the 2025 edition of the Aintree spectacular.
Grand National Key Factors
- The Going - An often overlooked factor when assessing the Grand National is the state of the ground at the Merseyside venue. Many horses excel on good to soft or quicker ground but struggle on soft or heavy going, whilst others need the mud to fly to display their best form. With the ground at the track currently described as good to soft and little rain expected, we will focus our attention on those runners who prefer a quicker surface
- Stamina - It may be stating the obvious, but staying power is one of the number one requirements for Grand National success. With so few races taking place over 4m+, this can be difficult to assess in advance. However, eight of the past ten winners had hinted at staying this far with a previous win over at least 3m
- The Jockey - Don’t forget the man or woman in the saddle. Few, if any, races present such a challenge as the Grand National and its 30 formidable obstacles. A proven ability to successfully navigate the course can count for plenty
- Trainer Form - Over the course of a season, many yards enjoy hot and cold spells – seemingly unstoppable at times and under a cloud at others. We will take the common-sense approach here and side with those trainers who arrive at Aintree in decent heart
2025 Grand National Best Bets: Three Against the Field
There is no shortage of strong challengers in 2025, but the following trio tops our list of runners with the most appealing combination of ground suitability, stamina, jockey ability, and trainer form.
Hewick – 10/1 with bet365
This pocket rocket from the Shark Hanlon operation has emerged as one of the most popular horses in training and is already coming in for strong support ahead of the big race. With nine of his ten career wins coming on good to soft or quicker, the ground looks to be in his favour this year, whilst the fact that he has won twice over 3m5f augurs well for his ability to see out the trip.
Shark Hanlon has been operating at a solid 17% strike rate over the past fortnight, whilst jockey Gavin Sheehan knows what it takes to prevail around here, having partnered Blaklion to success in the 2017 Becher Chase. Already boasting wins in the King George VI Chase and US Grand National on his CV, Hewick looks worth backing to add the English version to his haul.
Kandoo Kid – 20/1 with Betfred
Paul Nicholls claimed this race for the only time in 2012 when saddling Neptune Collonges to victory. The 14-time champion trainer looks to have solid claims of doubling his tally with Kandoo Kid, whose two chase wins have come on good to soft ground.
Significantly, the best effort of this horse’s career came over the longest trip he has encountered when staying on strongly to claim the 3m2f Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Unlike many, he has also displayed an aptitude for these fences, having finished a fine third in the 2024 Topham Chase.
Turning to the trainer and jockey, Paul Nicholls hit the mark with two of his first five runners in April, whilst Harry Cobden won back-to-back editions of the Topham Chase over these fences in 2017 and 2018.
Threeunderthrufive – 66/1 with William Hill
It would be a shame to let the Grand National pass by without having a punt on one at a really big price. Despite those long odds, Threeunderthrufive has much to recommend him. Also hailing from the in-form Paul Nicholls operation, he has the services of Harry Skelton, who claimed the 2022 Becher Chase with Ashtown Lad
Threeunderthrufive has scored seven times over three miles, six times on good to soft or quicker going and ran a fine prep for this when going down by just a nose in the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot. Having completed 15 of 16 outings over fences, he’s a reliable jumper and an appealing price to hit the frame.
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