Grand National Favourites 2025: I Am Maximus Leads the Market at 7/1 – Can the Champ Do It Again?

Who are the favourites for the Grand National?

The running of the 2025 Grand National is here, and heading into the big race, three horses dominate the betting boards – a returning champion, a rising British star, and a cross-country specialist in red-hot form. Here’s a quick look at the top trio in the market: 

I Am Maximus – 7/1 Grand National Favourite

Last year’s dominant winner returns to Aintree to defend his crown and bids to become the first back-to-back Grand National winner since Tiger Roll. Although his prep has been fairly quiet compared to others and he now has to carry top weight, the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old has class in abundance and stays all day. Bookies make him the one to beat, and if he runs to last year’s level, it is hard to argue with them.

Iroko – 9/1

Lightly raced but full of potential is Iroko – this British-trained chaser has quietly built a strong case to be considered in the winner discussion. He is a Cheltenham Festival winner over hurdles and runner-up in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novice Chase, which sees him come into the Grand National well-handicapped. There are question marks over his experience in a field like this, but his talent could easily overshadow those concerns. 

Stumptown – 11/1

Stupmtown is a progressive cross-country star and is unbeaten in his last four races, including a brilliant victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap at Cheltenham. Trained by Gavin Cromwell, Stumptown has proven stamina, thrives in big fields, and despite being the third-favourite, is flying under the radar. A bold jumper with a massive engine, he is tailor-made for Aintree. 

How many favourites have won the Grand National?

Backing the favourite in the Grand National has never been for the faint-hearted – but at the same time, it is not quite the same lottery some make it out to be (ironically, the first ever winner of this grand spectacle was called Lottery!).

Since the first running way back in 1839, a total of 30 favourites (or joint favourites) have lived up to expectation in the world’s most iconic steeplechase – that’s a strike rate of 17% from 176 editions. 

In more recent times, favourite-backers have enjoyed success. Since 1990, eight favourites have won – including the last two renewals: 

• 2023 – Corach Rambler (8/1 favourite)
• 2024 – I Am Maximus (7/1 joint-favourite)

In fact, three favourites have won in the last five years, suggesting the tide might be turning on the market leader. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers. 

Favourites in the Grand National – By the Numbers 

• First winning favourite: Lottery (1839, 5/1 favourite)
• Total favourites to win: 30
• Favourites since 1990 to win: 8
• Favourites strike-rate (all-time): 17%
• Favourite strike-rate since 1990: 24% 

If a favourite wins again this year, it would make history, as we have never seen three Grand National favourites win in a row!

How many horses in the Grand National?

Following changes introduced last year to help enhance the safety and welfare of both horses and jockeys, the Grand National is set to feature a maximum of 34 runners, all vying for glory. 

I Am Maximus returns to Aintree to defend his crown this year and is the current market leader despite carrying top weight, while Iroko is the leading British-trained contender in the star-studded field. At the Friday 1 pm deadline, all 34 runners confirmed their entry. 

What horses are running in the Grand National?

Here is the 34-horse lineup for the 2025 Grand National:

1. I Am Maximus 
2. Royale Pagaille
3. Nick Rockett 
4. Grangeclare West 
5. Hewick 
6. Minella Indo 
7. Appreciate It 
8. Minella Cocooner 
9. Conflated 
10. Stumptown 
11. Hitman 
12. Beauport 
13. Bravemansgame 
14. Chantry House 
15. Threeunderthrufive 
16. Perceval Legallois
17. Kandoo Kid 
18. Iroko
19. Intense Raffles 
20. Senior Chief 
21. Idas Boy 
22. Fil Dor 
23. Broadway Boy 
24. Coko Beach 
25. Stay Away Fay
26. Meetingofthewaters 
27. Monbeg Genius 
28. Vanillier 
29. Horantzau D'Airy 
30. Hyland 
31. Celebre D'Allen 
32. Three Card Brag 
33. Twig 
34. Duffle Coat 

In addition to the 34 confirmed runners, four reserves have also been named:

• Shakem Up’Arry
• Roi Mage
• Favori De Champdou
• Fantastic Lady

For any of these reserves to get a run in the big race, a horse from the main field must be withdrawn before 1 pm on Friday. After that deadline, the final line-up is locked in.

What horse won the 2024 Grand National?

The 2024 Grand National was won in stunning style by I Am Maximum, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townsend. Sent off as the joint-favourite at 7/1, he returned for his backers with a commanding performance over the fences here at Aintree. 

Donning the famous green and gold silks of owner JP McManus, I Am Maximus produced a sweeping late run before dashing clear up the run-in to win by 7½ lengths, making it one of the most impressive Grand National victories in recent memory. 

The win was special for several reasons: 

• It was Mullins’ second Grand National win after Hedgehunter in 2005
• It earned Paul Townsend his first-ever Grand National win
• I Am Maximus became one of the few recent favourites to land the race, and his success added to the growing trend of market leaders delivering the goods at Aintree.

Now, in 2025, I Am Maximus is back and looking to become the first back-to-back champ since Tiger Roll and only the second since the legendary Red Rum.

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