The 2025 Grand National is almost upon us and you can enjoy some excellent new-customer offers ahead of the famous steeplechase, leading bookmaker Ladbrokes going ‘Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets’ to all new customers who register an account.
2025 Grand National Weights Revised following Latest Withdrawals
The withdrawal of Inothewayurthinkin, the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, from the 2025 Grand National has prompted a reassessment of the race’s dynamics, particularly concerning the weights assigned to the remaining contenders. As such, the weights have been adjusted accordingly, influencing the strategies and expectations of trainers, jockeys, and punters alike.
Impact of Inothewayurthinkin’s Withdrawal
Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Gavin Cromwell and owned by J.P. McManus, was initially assigned a weight of 11st 5lb for the Grand National. Following a commanding six-length victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the horse was among the favourites for Aintree. However, the decision to withdraw, attributed to considerations of the horse’s age and future potential, has led to a notable shift in the race’s landscape.
Revised Top Weights
With Inothewayurthinkin’s exit, the top weight remains with I Am Maximus, the defending Grand National champion trained by Willie Mullins. Carrying 11st 12lb, I Am Maximus faces the formidable task of securing back-to-back victories under top weight, a feat last achieved by the legendary Red Rum in 1974.
Following I Am Maximus, the next highest weights are assigned to:
- Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams) – 11st 9lb
- Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins) – 11st 8lb
- L’Homme Presse (Venetia Williams) – 11st 8lb
- Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins) – 11st 8lb
These horses now assume greater prominence in the betting markets and strategic considerations for the race.
Emergence of New Favourites
The reshuffling has elevated Intense Raffles, trained by Tom Gibney, to the status of race favourite, currently priced at 6-1. Carrying 10st 10lb, Intense Raffles’ favourable weight allocation enhances his prospects, making him a focal point for bettors and analysts.
Notable Withdrawals and Their Implications
In addition to Inothewayurthinkin, several other prominent horses have been withdrawn, including:
- Galvin (Gordon Elliott) – 10st 13lb
- Gentlemansgame (M.F. Morris) – 11st 5lb
- Monty’s Star (Henry de Bromhead) – 11st 5lb
- Envoi Allen (Henry de Bromhead) – 11st 8lb
These withdrawals have further altered the competitive landscape, offering opportunities for other entrants to capitalise on the revised field.
Revised Weight Allocations
The current weights for selected leading contenders are as follows:
- I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins) – 11st 12lb
- Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams) – 11st 9lb
- Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins) – 11st 8lb
- L’Homme Presse (Venetia Williams) – 11st 8lb
- Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins) – 11st 8lb
- Hewick (Miss Tara Lee Cogan) – 11st 7lb
- The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville) – 11st 4lb
- Minella Indo (Henry de Bromhead) – 11st 3lb
- Appreciate It (Willie Mullins) – 11st 2lb
- Capodanno (Willie Mullins) – 11st 2lb
- Conflated (Gordon Elliott) – 11st 2lb
- Minella Cocooner (Willie Mullins) – 11st 2lb
- Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell) – 11st 2lb
- Beauport (Nigel Twiston-Davies) – 11st 1lb
- Hitman (Paul Nicholls) – 11st 1lb
- Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls) – 11st 0lb
- Chantry House (Nicky Henderson) – 10st 13lb
- Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) – 10st 12lb
- Threeunderthrufive (Paul Nicholls) – 10st 12lb
- Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) – 10st 11lb
- Kandoo Kid (Paul Nicholls) – 10st 11lb
- Intense Raffles (Tom Gibney) – 10st 10lb
- Senior Chief (Henry de Bromhead) – 10st 10lb
- Idas Boy (Richard Phillips) – 10st 10lb
- Mr Incredible (Sandy Thomson) – 10st 9lb
- Fil Dor (Gordon Elliott) – 10st 9lb
- Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott) – 10st 9lb
- Broadway Boy (Nigel Twiston-Davies) – 10st 9lb
- Farouk d’Alene (Gary Brown) – 10st 9lb
- Stay Away Fay (Paul Nicholls) – 10st 9lb
These allocations are subject to final confirmations as the race day approaches.
Strategic Considerations
The redistribution of weights necessitates strategic adjustments from trainers and jockeys. Horses carrying top weights, such as I Am Maximus, must demonstrate exceptional stamina and class to overcome the inherent disadvantages of heavier burdens over Aintree’s demanding four-mile, two-and-a-half-furlong course. Meanwhile, those benefiting from lower weight allocations, such as Intense Raffles (10st 10lb) and Senior Chief (10st 10lb), will be seen as prime contenders due to their potential to travel and jump more efficiently over the course’s 30 iconic fences.
The weight changes have also impacted betting markets, with some previously overlooked horses now seeing a surge in support. For example, Perceval Legallois (10st 12lb), trained by Gavin Cromwell, has gained interest as a viable alternative to the withdrawn Inothewayurthinkin.
Grand National Trends and Weight Considerations
Historically, weight plays a crucial role in determining a horse’s chances of success in the Grand National. While Red Rum (12st in 1974) and Many Clouds (11st 9lb in 2015) carried heavier loads to victory, modern trends suggest that horses carrying between 10st 6lb and 11st 3lb have a stronger record of success. This bodes well for runners such as Trelawne (10st 11lb) and Iroko (10st 11lb), whose weight allocations fall within the ideal range.
Trainers often aim to balance a horse’s class with a manageable weight, and the latest adjustments will lead to further fine-tuning of race strategies. Gordon Elliott, whose yard remains well-represented with runners like Three Card Brag (10st 5lb)and Coko Beach (10st 9lb), has historically fared well with horses carrying mid-range weights.
Conclusion
The 2025 Grand National weights, as revised following Inothewayurthinkin’s withdrawal, have reshaped the dynamics of the race. With I Am Maximus (11st 12lb) still shouldering top weight and Intense Raffles (10st 10lb) emerging as the new race favourite, the field now presents an even more intriguing mix of seasoned stayers and unexposed contenders.
As final declarations approach, punters and analysts will closely examine the weight trends, course form, and trainer strategies to determine the most viable Grand National winner. While heavyweights like Royale Pagaille (11st 9lb) and Nick Rockett (11st 8lb) must defy history to triumph, lower-weighted horses like Senior Chief (10st 10lb) and Intense Raffles could emerge as the race’s key challengers.
Ultimately, the Grand National remains one of the most unpredictable spectacles in horse racing, and with a reshuffled field, the 2025 edition promises yet another thrilling contest.
