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Five Horses Skipping Cheltenham Set to Sparkle at Aintree
Fresh legs and big ambitions – meet the stars who bypassed Prestbury Park in pursuit of Merseyside glory
With just 20 days separating Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham and the opening race of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, it’s no surprise that several high-profile horses swerved the Cotswolds in favour of arriving fresh for the spring riches on offer in Liverpool.
From Grand National hopefuls to top-class hurdlers and novice chasers, these five talented runners may have been absent from Cheltenham, but they’re ready to light up Aintree in the days ahead.
🏇 Hewick
Randox Grand National – Saturday, 5 April (4:00pm)
Trainer: John ‘Shark’ Hanlon
Form: 232571
Few horses are as universally admired as Hewick, the rags-to-riches hero who cost just £800 and has gone on to win at Grade 1 level, including the 2023 King George VI Chase. His popularity is soaring again after bypassing Cheltenhamin favour of a successful return to action in a hurdle race at Thurles on 15 March.
That win sent a clear signal that he’s in form and full of confidence, and his odds for the Grand National have shortened significantly, now sitting around 10/1 in most markets. Trainer Shark Hanlon has confirmed that Gavin Sheehan, who guided Hewick to King George glory, will be back on board.
If the ground is good, as forecast, Hewick will have conditions to suit. He boasts class, staying power, and a brilliant story—traits that could make him the crowd’s choice and a genuine threat to the big names at Aintree.
🐴 Grey Dawning
Aintree Bowl – Thursday, 3 April (2:55pm)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Form: 3-2P1
Grey Dawning has had a stop-start campaign, but a return to winning ways in the Premier Chase at Kelso in March confirmed he’s still a serious force. He had earlier gone close in the Betfair Chase, only to be caught by Royale Pagaille, and was then pulled up in the King George after a mistake at the first fence knocked him out of contention.
Trainer Dan Skelton opted to skip the Gold Cup, instead targeting Aintree’s Grade 1 Bowl, a race that could suit this strong stayer down to the ground. While he was beaten at Aintree last season after a long campaign, this time he arrives fresh and seemingly back to his best.
Expect a bold showing against an open-looking field of seasoned campaigners.
🏆 Iroko
Randox Grand National – Saturday, 5 April (4:00pm)
Trainers: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Form: 2-2F42
Iroko has been quietly campaigned all season with one big day in mind—the Grand National. Owned by JP McManusand ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr, the seven-year-old is second favourite for the Aintree showpiece behind Intense Raffles, with Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin ruled out.
While his form doesn’t include a win this term, Iroko’s performances have been consistently solid. His fourth-place finish at Cheltenham on Trials Day in January caught the eye, and he was second to Grey Dawning at Kelso, staying on well in the closing stages.
With stamina, tactical versatility, and a proven connection with his rider, Iroko is a serious National contender and could be the horse to return British trainers to the top step at Aintree.
🟠 Langer Dan
William Hill Aintree Hurdle – Thursday, 3 April (3:30pm)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Form: 2-355
It was strange not seeing Langer Dan at Cheltenham. The dual Coral Cup winner had been expected to run in the Stayers’ Hurdle, but a late withdrawal due to a respiratory infection meant a six-year Festival streak came to an abrupt end.
His form this season has been underwhelming, with a string of unplaced finishes, but trainer Dan Skelton insists the spring is when Langer Dan comes alive. If back to his best, he could be a real factor in the Aintree Hurdle, even in the face of a stacked field that could include Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth, and Bob Olinger.
His class and consistency in April cannot be overlooked—he’s a live each-way chance in a red-hot renewal.
🇮🇪 Croke Park
Mildmay Novices’ Chase – Friday, 4 April (1:45pm)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Form: P-1112
A rising star from the powerful Gordon Elliott yard, Croke Park has quietly put together a highly promising novice chase campaign, with three wins on the bounce, including back-to-back Grade 1 victories.
He was last seen finishing second to Ballyburn at the Dublin Racing Festival, and while he missed Cheltenham, he looks primed for the Mildmay Novices’ Chase. Among his scalps this season is Better Days Ahead, who ran well at Cheltenham and gives solid form lines to his campaign.
Croke Park failed to complete the course at Aintree last season, but he’s been transformed over fences and arrives this time with a legitimate chance to add another Grade 1 to his name.
Fresh Faces, Big Chances
While the Cheltenham Festival remains the pinnacle of the jumps season, Aintree is no afterthought—and these five horses could prove that skipping Prestbury Park was a winning move.
With Hewick bidding to add the National to his fairytale story, Iroko primed to peak on the big day, and stars like Grey Dawning and Croke Park returning fresh, the 2025 Aintree Festival is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in years.
So if you missed these horses last month, don’t worry—their biggest moments may be just around the corner.
