Leading bookmaker BetUK are busy preparing themselves for the 2025 Grand National with some exclusive promotions ahead of the famous steeplechase and all new customers with this betting site can claim £20 in free bets once an initial wager of £10 has been placed.
Can Hyland Give Nicky Henderson His First Grand National Victory in 2025?
Few names in British horse racing are as synonymous with success as Nicky Henderson. The legendary trainer has won just about every major National Hunt race, including multiple Cheltenham Gold Cups, Champion Hurdles, and King George VI Chases. However, there is one glaring omission from his glittering CV—the Grand National.
Despite decades at the top of the sport, Henderson has never won the world’s most famous steeplechase, and his record in the race is far from spectacular. But in 2025, he has perhaps his best chance yet with Hyland, a talented and improving chaser currently priced at 25/1.
Can Hyland break Henderson’s long-standing Grand National curse, or is he destined to be another of the trainer’s near-misses? Let’s assess his credentials, recent form, and the trainer’s troubled history with Aintree’s greatest race.
Henderson’s Struggles in the Grand National
Before we look at Hyland’s chances, it’s important to acknowledge the elephant in the room—Nicky Henderson’s poor record in the Grand National.
Despite winning almost every other major race on the jumps racing calendar, Henderson has never saddled a Grand National winner. Over the years, he has sent many highly regarded horses to Aintree, but none have been able to land the big prize.
Some of his notable Grand National contenders include:
- Zongalero (1979) – Finished second, coming closest to giving Henderson his elusive win.
- The Tsarevich (1987 & 1988) – Finished second and then fell the following year.
- Rough Quest (1996) – Was trained by Terry Casey but spent much of his career with Henderson before winning the National under different management.
- Beware The Bear (2019) – Well-fancied but never got into the race.
Henderson himself has admitted that the Grand National has never been a major focus for his yard. Unlike Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins, or Paul Nicholls, who specifically target the race with multiple contenders, Henderson has always been more Cheltenham-focused, preferring to train for Gold Cups, Champion Hurdles, and top two-mile chases.
However, Hyland could be a game-changer. He is a strong stayer, a smart jumper, and has the right kind of profile to give Henderson his long-awaited victory.
Hyland’s Credentials for the 2025 Grand National
1. Recent Form – Is He Peaking at the Right Time?
Hyland has steadily progressed through the staying chase ranks over the past two seasons. While not a household name just yet, his performances have been consistent and eye-catching.
Recent Race Performances:
- 22 February 2025 – Kempton Park (3 miles, Good to Soft): Competed in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap), finishing 2nd out of 13 runners. Ridden by Nico de Boinville, Hyland carried 11st 13lb and was beaten by 15 lengths.
- 26 December 2024 – Kempton Park (3 miles, Good): Participated in a Class 1 Chase, securing 2nd place out of 5 runners. Under Nico de Boinville, he carried 11st 7lb and finished 2.5 lengths behind the winner.
- 15 November 2024 – Cheltenham (3 miles 110 yards, Good): Achieved a victory in a Class 1 Chase. With Nico de Boinville aboard, Hyland carried 11st 7lb and won at odds of 2/1.
- 26 October 2024 – Cheltenham (3 miles 110 yards, Good): Won a Class 2 Chase, carrying 11st 7lb with Nico de Boinville as jockey, prevailing at odds of 9/2.
- 30 June 2024 – Uttoxeter (2 miles 4 furlongs, Good to Soft): Finished 4th out of 5 runners in a Class 3 Chase, carrying 11st 10lb.
2. A Stamina Horse – A Key Grand National Attribute
One of the most important factors for any Grand National contender is stamina. The 4m2½f trip at Aintree is longer than most other races on the calendar, meaning that a horse needs to stay all day. He has proven his ability to cope with long distance contests and if previous runs are anything to go by, he should have no problem staying the trip at Aintree.
3. Jumping Ability – Can He Handle the Grand National Fences?
Aintree’s famous Grand National fences are not as fearsome as they once were, but they still require a bold, accurate jumper. Horses that are sloppy over their fences often come unstuck early in the race, so jumping fluency is key.
Hyland has shown strong jumping ability throughout his career. He is not a flashy jumper, but he is efficient, safe, and consistent—qualities that bode well for a race like the Grand National.
Some of the biggest dangers in the race come at Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and Valentine’s Brook, where poor jumpers are quickly exposed. Hyland’s record over big fences suggests he should cope well.
4. The Handicap Mark – Well Weighted for a Big Run?
Weight is always a crucial factor in the Grand National. Horses carrying too much weight often struggle in the latter stages, while those who are too lightly weighted may lack the class to compete.
Hyland has been assigned a handicap mark of 147, meaning he will carry 10st 6lbs—a weight that has been ideal for many past Grand National winners.
For reference, recent winners carrying similar weights include:
- Corach Rambler (2023) – 10st 5lbs
- One For Arthur (2017) – 10st 11lbs
- Auroras Encore (2013) – 10st 3lbs
This weight puts Hyland in a great position—heavy enough to suggest he is a class horse, but light enough to ensure he is not burdened with a massive weight disadvantage.
Final Verdict – Can Hyland Win the Grand National?
While Nicky Henderson’s record in the Grand National is poor, Hyland represents one of his best chances yet to end his Aintree drought.
His stamina, jumping ability, and ideal weight all point towards a strong performance, and at 25/1, he is well worth considering for both win and each-way bets.
However, there are a few concerns:
- He has yet to race over the full Grand National trip (though his staying performances suggest he should handle it).
- Henderson’s horses have often underperformed in the race, raising questions about whether the yard’s training methods are suited to Aintree.
- He will need to cope with the unique demands of the Grand National fences, which will be a new challenge.
That said, Hyland ticks many of the right boxes and could give Henderson his long-awaited first Grand National success. He may not be the most glamorous name in the field, but he has the right credentials to go close.
If you’re looking for a value bet in the 2025 Grand National, Hyland at 25/1 is certainly worth considering.
