I Am Maximus Tops 2025 Grand National Weights for JP McManus
The weights for the Grand National – where owner JP McManus has a strong hand – have been released.
I Am Maximus is 12/1 second favourite to win the famous steeplechase for a second successive time. © Getty Images
Key Facts:
- Reigning champion will have to re-write the record books to win a second National.
- JP McManus-owned runners dominate the betting.
- Thirty-two runners are scheduled to go to post on April 5th.
- Trainer says the early favourite is not a certain runner at this stage.
I Am Maximus will have to bridge a 51-year gap to successfully defend his Grand National title. Not since Red Rum landed his second Grand National in 1974 has a horse carried top-weight to victory in the famous marathon contest.
The reigning champion has been allocated 11-stone 12-pounds, three pounds or more than his rivals.
Like I Am Maximus, 47 of the 87 Grand National entries are trained in Ireland. In addition to the 2024 winner, his trainer, perennial champion trainer Willie Mullins, has an additional nine horses entered in the Aintree showpiece. Gordon Elliott has 15 horses on the entry list; the shortest priced of these is 33/1.
Royale Pagaille, representing British trainer Venetia Williams, sits second on the list. The two-time Betfair Chase winner, with an exceptional record at Haydock Park, is set to carry 11-stone 9-pounds. Stablemate L’Homme Presse has been allocated one pound less.
Willie Mullins’s pair of Grangeclare West and Nick Rockett, plus Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen, are others that have been allocated 11-stone 8-pounds. In total, 21 candidates have been allocated 11-stone or more.
Randox Grand National 2025 Powerhouse Owners
Numerically, Ireland’s Gavin Cromwell has a strong entry with eight potential runners. Three of his possible representatives are owned by JP McManus, who has eight National entries himself. Remarkably, seven of these have been allocated weights that put them in the top 32 on the list.
Another surprise is the small number of entries owned by Gigginstown House Stud. The prominent horse racing and breeding operation owned by Ryanair CEO has just four candidates. The 12-year-old Delta Work – the 2024 Grand National runner-up – is the shortest-priced of the quartet, quoted on odds of 50/1.
2025 @RandoxHealth Grand National weights ⚖️
Who catches your eye? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/Epin2RBcag
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) February 11, 2025
How Do the Bookmakers View the 2025 Grand National?
The UK’s best gambling sites have reacted to the unveiling of the Grand National weights by making 2024 Cheltenham and Aintree Festival winner Inothewayurthinkin the 10/1 ante-post favourite. I Am Maximus is 12/1 (second favourite) to win the famous steeplechase for a second successive time.
Third down the betting list, priced on 14/1, is Iroko. Like the pair above him in the betting, he is owned by JP McManus and has enjoyed big race success. In his case, there was glory in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
However, Iroko’s most recent outing was clouded in controversy, which is best summed up by industry ratings and analysis publication Timeform. It wrote: “Iroko still has untapped potential and gave the biggest indication yet he’s building up to something bigger and better in the spring.”
“With previous comments regarding the Grand National remaining valid; patiently ridden, travelled as well as any, still plenty to do 3 out, yet to be asked for effort when approaching straight, steadied into last 2, no further impression, not unduly punished, the stewards holding an enquiry into his performance, from which they noted explanations.”
What You Need to Know About the 2025 Grand National
- The first round of scratches will be on February 25th
- The second round of scratches will be on March 18th
- Five-day confirmations: March 31st
- 48-hour declarations and final field: April 3rd
- The Grand National will take place on Saturday, April 5th
- Post time is scheduled for 4 pm when a field of 32 horses should face the starter
- The Grand National will be broadcast live on ITV1, Racing TV and bookmaker streaming sites
Cromwell Says Favourite Is No Certain Runner
Interestingly, the top 15 horses in the Grand National betting are aged between seven and nine. The 10-year-old Vanillier is the shortest-priced of the older runners. Speaking to his sponsor’s William Hill blog, Vanillier’s trainer, Gavin Cromwell, stated last season’s Grand National fourteenth would have a prior outing in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Those interested in the early betting favourite should take on board Cromwell’s thoughts on his horse, which can be found on the same blog. “Inothewayurthinkin is on 160, which is the same as his mark in Ireland,” he wrote.
“I wouldn’t say he is a certain runner at this stage, and we will look at other options for him, including the Bowl at Aintree. He will also get an entry in the Irish National as well.”
