Grand National 2025: Who are the leading Irish contenders?

In keeping with recent National Hunt trends, Ireland have dominated the Grand National over recent years with four of the last six winners trained in the country.

Barring Iroko, who is trained in the UK, Ireland have six of the top seven in the current betting.

So, who are they? Find out the Irish contenders below.

Intense Raffles

The current Grand National favourite, Intense Raffles stormed to victory in the Irish equivalent of the race last April.

Trainer Thomas Gibney has given his seven-year-old a light campaign since then in order to preserve what looks like a workable chase mark.

After two starts over hurdles, he returned to the larger obstacles in the Bobbyjo Chase where he was narrowly defeated by Nick Rockett.

I Am Maximus

The winner in 2024, I Am Maximus returns to the race with outstanding claims.

The expected mount of Paul Townend was wildly impressive when scoring by seven-lengths last season and will have been primed for a repeat.

Currently the shortest of eight entries for Willie Mullins, anything trained by the master of Closutton will be popular on the day.

Stumptown

Three wins from as many starts this season has seen Stumptown's price collapse for the Aintree showpiece.

The switch to the banks has worked wonders for Gavin Cromwell's charge, bolting up under 11st10lbs at the Cheltenham Festival on his last start.

Keith Donoghue has taken the ride for all of his races this season and is expected to be onboard come Saturday.

Hewick

With a huge following amongst fans of National Hunt racing, Hewick would be a hugely popular winner.

His remarkable 2024 King George victory is the highlight of his career so far and Gavin Sheehan has been booked for the Grand National ride.

Quick ground has been important to the Shark Hanlon-trained runner in the past and with the forecast looking dry, it's looking likely that he will get his conditions.

Vanillier

"Did well in the circumstances," is the comment attached to Vanillier's most recent run in the Cross County Chase at Cheltenham.

The grey devoured the hill to finish a good third behind Stumptown after jockey Sean Flanagan almost took the wrong course earlier on in the race, a move which cost him significant ground.

Winning a Grand National at the third attempt has been difficult but after a runner-up finish back in 2023, Vanillier returns with strong claims yet again.

Perceval Legallois

With two significant pots plundered on his last two starts, Perceval Legallois arrives in sparkling form.

Another Gavin Cromwell-trained runner, it has been announced that Mark Walsh will take the ride at Aintree.

Fresh off the back of Gold Cup success at the Cheltenham Festival, Walsh will be hopeful of landing another big one from the saddle.

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