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Grand National 2025: Can Vanillier Join the Ranks of Grey Legends at Aintree?
With a proud tradition but rare success, could a striking grey finally seize Grand National glory once more?
The 2025 Randox Grand National is fast approaching, and racing fans—both seasoned punters and once-a-year enthusiasts—are beginning to scan the list of potential runners, each seeking that elusive winner. For some, form, figures, and trends are the key to picking the champion; for others, it’s a name, a hunch, or even a lucky colour.
And few colours are as eye-catching—or as romantically backed—as a grey horse.
Grey runners have a long-standing appeal at Aintree. Their distinctive coats make them easy to follow in a packed field, and their appearance alone often attracts the attention of casual punters. Yet, for all the affection they inspire, grey horses have a surprisingly modest record in the Grand National.
A Rare Breed of Winner
In the near-two-century history of the Grand National—first run in 1839—only three greys have ever conquered the famous fences.
- The first was The Lamb, a remarkable two-time winner in 1868 and 1871, whose delicate appearance belied a fierce will to win.
- Then came Nicolaus Silver in 1961, who stunned the field and etched his name into the history books with a bold, front-running performance.
- More recently, Neptune Collonges provided one of the most dramatic finishes in National history when he came through with a perfectly timed run to win by a nose in 2012, providing trainer Paul Nicholls with his first and only National triumph to date.
Several others have gone close—Suny Bay and What’s Up Boys both finished runner-up in the late 1990s and early 2000s—but the grey winner remains a rare phenomenon, a fact that only fuels the mythology further.
Vanillier: The Grey Hope for 2025
Into that narrative steps Vanillier, a striking grey trained by Gavin Cromwell, and one of the most intriguing contenders for this year’s renewal.
A proven stayer with experience over the Aintree fences, Vanillier finished an excellent second in the 2023 Grand National, staying on strongly in the closing stages to nearly reel in the winner, I Am Maximus. That run confirmed him as a genuine contender in these marathon chases, and he’s been quietly aimed at a return to Merseyside ever since.
His latest appearance came in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where he finished third behind stablemate Stumptown. A significant mistake early in the race—attempting to go the wrong way on course—cost him precious ground, but he rallied well to claim a respectable placing.
With stamina proven and previous Grand National form in the book, Vanillier’s odds have shortened significantly in recent weeks. Originally available at 33/1, he’s now hovering around the 12/1 mark, especially in the wake of the withdrawal of Inowhaturthinkin, the Gold Cup winner and one-time race favourite.
The 2025 Market Movers: New Faces at the Fore
The shifting betting landscape for this year’s Grand National has seen a new front-runner emerge in the form of Intense Raffles, whose past performances include a strong win in the Irish Grand National. While talented, his recent form has been patchy, with three consecutive defeats raising questions about his current level.
Behind him in the market are Iroko and I Am Maximus, both set to carry the iconic green and gold silks of JP McManus. Notably, both horses bypassed Cheltenham in favour of arriving fresh at Aintree—a strategy that has paid dividends in previous Nationals.
- Iroko, trained by the emerging duo of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, is seen as a future star, with an attractive weight and a progressive profile.
- I Am Maximus, the defending champion, will return with the confidence of past success but faces the tough task of doing what few have done before—winning back-to-back Nationals.
Popularity and the Power of the Grey
Regardless of the outcome, Vanillier is almost certain to be one of the most backed horses on Grand National day. His colour makes him an obvious pick for casual bettors, and his form gives real substance to their optimism.
Greys have an allure all of their own, particularly in a race that so often turns up fairy-tale results. The visual of a light-coated runner streaking over the famous Aintree fences makes for compelling viewing—and a popular winner would undoubtedly spark huge celebrations, both on course and in living rooms up and down the country.
Final Thoughts: Will 2025 Be the Year of the Grey?
The Grand National remains one of the great levellers in sport. It’s a race where heroes are made, myths are written, and legends come in all shapes, sizes—and colours.
Could Vanillier join The Lamb, Nicolaus Silver, and Neptune Collonges in the exclusive club of grey Grand National winners? The omens are promising. He’s proven over the trip, battle-hardened from last year’s race, and arrives in good health with one of Ireland’s shrewdest trainers calling the shots.
Whether or not he triumphs, he’ll carry the hopes of thousands on his shoulders—not just because he’s a leading contender, but because he’s a grey. And in a race where romance often rules, that just might be enough.
