Irish Grand National 2025: Runners to Watch and Early Betting News
A guide to the main contenders following five-day declarations for the Easter Monday showpiece at Fairyhouse
The Irish Grand National remains the highlight of Easter Monday, offering up a true test of endurance over 3 miles and 5 furlongs and featuring a formidable 24 fences.
Past winners such as Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde and I Am Maximus have gone on to land Grand National glory at Aintree, while this year’s Aintree victor Nick Rockett was a beaten favourite in this contest last season, finishing seventh under Paul Townend.
Leading Contenders for the 2025 Renewal
Haiti Couleurs
A fast-improving novice with three wins from four over fences. He landed the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, a race that has previously produced several Irish National winners. Last seen scoring off 135 by over four lengths, and should remain competitive here off a 6lb higher rating. Favourite with leading bookmaker William Hill.
High Class Hero
Well-fancied for the Scottish National before being rerouted to Fairyhouse. Has claimed six wins from ten starts under rules, including a defeat of Loughglynn in February. Although he disappointed when beaten at Thurles last time, he may be well treated off 148 if bouncing back.
Johnnywho
Trained with a Cheltenham handicap in mind and almost pulled it off, going down by a neck in the Kim Muir off a mark of 140. Now racing off 146 for connections who previously won this race in 2014 with Shutthefrontdoor.
Now Is The Hour
Caught the eye on multiple occasions prior to a late fall in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Likely to prefer softer ground, but is still feasibly weighted off a mark of 141.
Kinturk Kalanisi
Represents Tom Gibney, who won this race last year with Intense Raffles. A consistent novice who was travelling well when unseating late in the Leinster National. Could be dangerous at the foot of the weights.
Better Days Ahead
Still unexposed over fences with figures of 1213, the defeats coming in top company. Finished just over four lengths behind in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham and proved his mettle in big fields when winning last year’s Martin Pipe.
Daily Present
Put in a solid season and got his reward by narrowly winning the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, edging Johnnywho. Now races from a 7lb higher rating.
Malina Girl
Vastly experienced with 23 chase starts under her belt. Though without a win since late 2023, she’s placed on all three starts this term, including a third in the Ultima at Cheltenham from the same rating she carries here.
Any Second Now
A seasoned campaigner at 13 years old, second in this race last year behind Intense Raffles off 140. Runs this time from a pound lower and has performed creditably in his two outings this season.
Aworkinprogress
An improving six-year-old boasting four wins from four over fences. Rated just 121, and while he’ll need some luck to make the cut, he would be one to note if he does.
Quai De Bourbon
Has endured some tough luck, unseating in the Brown Advisory and brought down at Aintree last time. Still lightly raced over fences, with this being just his fifth chase start.
Bioluminescence
Scored on debut over fences in a Grade 2 mares’ event at Limerick, and has twice finished second since. Skipped Cheltenham due to fast ground but brings solid credentials after placing here in February.
Favori De Champdou
Took a small-field chase at Down Royal last month, having previously placed behind Nick Rockett in the Thyestes. He lines up off 143, a pound below that effort.
Panda Boy
Last got his head in front back in May 2022, but continues to run with credit in top handicaps. Was 17th in last season’s Aintree National and more recently third in the Leinster National from this same mark.
Statistical Trends to Note
- 9 of the last 11 winners were beaten on their previous start
- 8 of the last 11 were aged 7 to 9
- 8 of the last 11 carried 10st 13 or less
- 8 of the last 11 had run in at least five chases
- 8 of the last 11 had already won two or more chases
- 8 of the last 11 had experience at Fairyhouse – four had won there
Best Bet: Kinturk Kalanisi (Each-Way at 16/1)
Kinturk Kalanisi, available at 16/1, looks a strong each-way selection. The seven-year-old novice was a close third behind Better Days Ahead and Slade Steel on debut over fences, before narrowly going down on his second start here over an inadequate 2m5f.
He then chased home a winner at Navan, with Captain Cody — who went on to win the Scottish Grand National — behind in third. Last time, he was still travelling well when unseating two out in the Leinster National, and crucially, that leaves him able to race from the same mark of 135.
He creeps into the field at the bottom of the weights, and if he keeps the errors at bay, he could run a massive race for last year’s winning yard.
