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Cheltenham Festival runners eyeing Grand National Glory
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival once again delivered a feast of top-class National Hunt racing, with its mix of thrilling finishes, dominant performances, and unexpected results shaping the landscape for the upcoming Grand National at Aintree. Among the many notable stories emerging from Cheltenham were those of horses who are now being considered strong contenders – or intriguing outsiders – for the Grand National. In particular, Gavin Cromwell’s duo of Stumptown and Vanillier stand out as key players in the 2025 Grand National field, having shown both class and stamina at Cheltenham. Other horses such as Broadway Boy, Stay Away Fay, and Conflated also enter the Aintree picture, though with varying levels of expectation and odds.
Stumptown: A Star in the Making for Cromwell
One of the most notable performances at Cheltenham came from Stumptown, trained by Gavin Cromwell, who captured the Cross Country Chase as the well-supported 5/2 favourite. The horse delivered a commanding performance, relishing the unique challenge of the Cross Country course and putting his rivals to the sword with an impressive late surge. The victory solidified Stumptown’s credentials as a staying chaser of real quality, and attention has quickly shifted to his Grand National prospects.
Now priced at 10/1 for Aintree, Stumptown represents a genuine contender for the big race. His performance at Cheltenham showcased his ability to handle unconventional tracks and navigate tricky fences, both of which are crucial skills required for the Grand National. Additionally, the Cross Country Chase has often served as a reliable stepping stone for National contenders – most notably Tiger Roll, who won both races in 2018 and 2019. If Stumptown can translate his Cheltenham form to Aintree, he could be a serious threat in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Vanillier: Another Cromwell Contender
While Stumptown took the headlines with his win, stablemate Vanillier also put in a commendable performance in the Cross Country Chase, finishing third. A former Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner at Cheltenham in 2021, Vanillier has always been considered a strong stayer, and his Cross Country effort confirmed that he still possesses the ability to compete at a high level.
Vanillier is now priced at 12/1 for the Grand National, marking him as another of the more fancied runners. He finished second in the 2023 Grand National, and his experience over the Aintree fences is a significant advantage. With his proven stamina and ability to handle marathon trips, he remains a serious contender for Gavin Cromwell and could well go one better this time around.
Broadway Boy: A Dark Horse for Aintree?
Moving away from the more prominent contenders, one intriguing prospect for the Grand National is Broadway Boy, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies. Though available at a long 66/1, Broadway Boy has attracted some speculative interest. His Cheltenham Festival run, however, left a lot to be desired. He lined up in the Ultima Handicap Chase but was ultimately pulled up, failing to make any significant impact.
Despite this disappointing showing, Broadway Boy remains an interesting Grand National outsider. Twiston-Davies has a history of success in big staying races, and if Broadway Boy can recover from his Cheltenham disappointment and prove his stamina over extended distances, he could outrun his odds. However, he will need to show a dramatic improvement in form to be considered a serious threat at Aintree.
Stay Away Fay: A Steep Challenge for Paul Nicholls’ Hope
Another longshot with Cheltenham form heading into the Grand National is Stay Away Fay, a 66/1 chance from the stable of Paul Nicholls. Stay Away Fay also contested the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival but, like Broadway Boy, struggled in the race. Given his past performances, the challenge of the National will be an even sterner test.
While Nicholls has trained numerous big-race winners, the Grand National remains a notoriously difficult puzzle to solve, and Stay Away Fay would need to produce a career-best performance to trouble the leading contenders. The National’s extreme stamina test may stretch him beyond his limits, making him a rank outsider at this stage.
Conflated: A Long Shot with Class
At the bottom end of the odds spectrum is Conflated, priced at 100/1 for the Grand National. Trained by Gordon Elliott, Conflated finished eighth in the Plate at Cheltenham, running respectably as a 40/1 shot but never truly threatening the leaders. Despite his modest showing at the Festival, he remains a horse of considerable class, having previously won Grade 1 races, including the 2022 Irish Gold Cup and the Savills Chase.
His past successes suggest that he possesses the ability to mix it with the best, but whether he still retains the stamina and resilience to handle the demands of the Grand National remains a major question. At 100/1, he is a true longshot, but he does have enough talent to spring a surprise if everything falls into place on the day.
Conclusion: Aintree Awaits
As the dust settles on another thrilling Cheltenham Festival, attention now turns to the 2025 Grand National, where these Festival performers will bid for further glory. Stumptown and Vanillier stand out as two of the more compelling contenders from the Cheltenham ranks, with both possessing proven stamina and strong credentials for the test ahead. Meanwhile, the likes of Broadway Boy, Stay Away Fay, and Conflated will hope to defy their long odds and spring a shock at Aintree.
With just weeks to go until the Grand National, the betting markets will continue to shift, and punters will eagerly track the form of these Cheltenham horses. One thing is certain: the Grand National remains as unpredictable and captivating as ever, and any one of these horses could etch their name into racing history on the biggest stage of all.
