Grand National tips: Aintree betting selections from Telegraph Sport

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I Am Maximus is back to defend the crown he won 12 months ago - PA Wire/Nigel French

Grand National 2025 runners, riders​

With just one day to go until the Grand National, the time has come for you to make your selection for the most famous race of all.

If you need a run-down of all 34 contenders, click here for Telegraph Sport’s full runners and riders guide and here to download our sweepstake kit.

If you’re looking to back one of our selections then it could pay to check out these Grand National free bets first.

Here, we turn to our experts for their predictions for the race’s winner as well the who will fill out the first four places.

Marcus Armytage​

Hyland (Nicky Henderson)

His trainer has never been able to replicate his first National runner Zongalero, who finished second. Since, nearly a quarter of his 40 plus runners have tipped up at the first he may never get a better chance than with Hyland.

The novice chaser has no weight and, as much as the chuck water on the course to soften it up, it is drying out and having walked the course on Thursday and I reckon the ground is nearer good than soft.

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Hyland is aiming to give Nicky Henderson his first win in the Grand National - PA /David Davies

That won’t suit the soft ground brigade but Hyland will love it. He had a very good racing weight and Grade One form - he has just got to survive the first!

First-four prediction

1. Hyland
2. Iroko
3. Perceval Legallois
4. Beauport

Marlborough​

Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell)

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of this year’s Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, along with owner JP McManus must have been tempted to run that horse in this year’s Grand National, but the decision to keep him at home would have been made easier knowing they had Perceval Legallois entered with an excellent chance.

This eight-year-old gelding has been a slow burner over fences. Having a looked a promising staying horse over hurdles, connections decided to take a patient approach and he didn’t run over three miles again until this season where his form has taken off. His win at Leopardstown in December was the perfect audition for a Grand National, dourly staying on up the run-in to win with loads in hand.

That patient approach has meant he is still unexposed over marathon trips and he is able to run on Saturday with only 10 stone 12 pounds on his back. Jockey, Mark Walsh mentioned after Perceval Legallois’ latest victory he feels he has unfinished business with this horse. They can get the job done to give owner, JP McManus a record breaking fourth win in the race.

Charlie Brooks​

Intense Raffles (Tom Gibney)

Since he won the Irish Grand National a year ago, the plan has clearly been to win the Grand National.

His handicap mark over fences has been protected by two quiet runs over hurdles this season. His only run over fences was an excellent second in the Bobby chase at Fairyhouse, cunningly after the weights for the national had been published. He ran an excellent second, form which is good enough if he stays the extra five furlongs.

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Intense Raffles goes for glory for trainer Tom Gibney and jockey JJ Slevin - PA Wire/Niall Carson

Rain would not do any harm, but he should also have the class to go on better ground.

First-four prediction

1. Intense Raffles
2. Stumptown
3. Vanilier
4. Hewick

Tom Ward​

Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell)

Another horse from the Cromwell stable who looks to have been laid out for this race all season. Perceval Legallois first caught the eye winning at the 2023 Dublin Racing Festival when he demolished a competitive handicap hurdle field off what, in hindsight, was a mark that far underestimated his abilities.

Hi switch to chasing has not been without its ups and downs but he this season he has slowly come to the boil, running well in the Kerry National and the Troytown before dotting up in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas off a mark of 142. He got an 11lb hike in the weights for his trouble that day but the manner of the success suggested there could be even more to come even off a revised mark.

Switched back to hurdles at this year’s Dublin Racing Festival, he again took down a big handicap in what could prove to be the perfect prep for the Grand National. The only unknown is the trip but he’s bred to stay and has looked strongest at the finish in both wins this season. He has a huge chance.

First-four prediction

1. Perceval Legallois
2. Vanillier
3. Beauport
4. Hyland

Tom Morgan​

Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell)

Stumptown has been excelling on the jumps and is as obvious a choice as any. The bay gelding has been rising through the ranks steadily as a force in recent years.

Consistent performances and an ability to thrive under pressure are an ideal blend. BoyleSports Racing AI Simulator gives Stumptown an 11.5 per cent chance of success in its algorithm factoring in odds, trainer performance, horse ratings, ground preference, age trends, and previous form.

First-four prediction

1. Stumptown
2. Hewick
3. Intense Raffles
4. I Am Maximus

Celebrity picks​

JP McManus (Three-time winning owner): “We’ve got a few with chances but I think I Am Maximus has the best chance; he’s proven.”

Bob Champion, winning jockey on Aldaniti in 1981: “Stumptown, jumps, stays and will keep galloping.”

Ben Wallace, former government minister: “Nick Rocket, won a good trial and one from the all conquering Willie Mullins yard.”

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