With less than two weeks to go before the 2025 Grand National Festival gets underway, now is a great time to register with leading bookmaker BetGoodwin where you can benefit from free bet refunds worth up to £100 when you register a new betting account. Subject to full terms and conditions.
Jonjo O’Neill Jr to Partner Iroko in 2025 Grand National
Jonjo O’Neill Jr is set to take the ride on Iroko in the 2025 Randox Grand National, marking a major opportunity for the 27-year-old jockey as he aims to land his first victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase. Iroko, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, has been a model of consistency and is currently the second favourite at 8/1 for the Grand National, behind only Intense Raffles.
The booking of O’Neill Jr comes on the back of a fantastic Cheltenham Festival for the young jockey, where he enjoyed two notable wins. He guided Jagwar to victory in the Turners Novices’ Chase, giving him his first Cheltenham Festival win in six years, before shocking the racing world just 24 hours later with an extraordinary Triumph Hurdle victory aboard Poniros at 100/1 for Willie Mullins.
His ride on Iroko in the Kelso Premier Chase on 1st March 2025, where they finished runner-up behind the 5/6 favourite Grey Dawning, demonstrated the horse’s credentials as a leading contender for Aintree. With jumping ability, stamina, and an ideal racing weight, Iroko is widely seen as one of the strongest chances in the upcoming Grand National.
Jonjo O’Neill Jr’s Road to the Grand National
The son of Grand National-winning trainer Jonjo O’Neill, Jonjo Jr has long been viewed as one of the rising stars of the weighing room. Despite being from racing royalty—his father won the Grand National as a trainer with Don’t Push It in 2010, giving AP McCoy his long-awaited National win—O’Neill Jr has had to work hard to establish himself at the top level.
His Cheltenham Festival success in 2025 was particularly special, having endured a six-year gap since his last Festival winner. His victory on Jagwar for Greenall and Guerriero was a testament to his talent, and his subsequent 100/1 shock Triumph Hurdle win aboard Poniros only reinforced his ability to seize big-race opportunities.
These wins have come at a crucial time in his career, and being entrusted with the ride on Iroko in the Grand National is another significant milestone. O’Neill Jr has experience over the Aintree fences but is yet to win the race. However, with Iroko considered one of the best-handicapped horses in the field, this could be the perfect chance to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Iroko’s Grand National Credentials
Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, Iroko has been a standout performer in recent seasons. A previous Cheltenham Festival winner, having landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle in 2023, he has since proven himself a top-class staying chaser.
His form in the 2024-25 National Hunt season has been highly encouraging. Though beaten into second place at Kelso by Grey Dawning in early March, that run was seen as an ideal prep race for the Grand National, confirming his stamina and jumping ability.
Iroko will head to Aintree as one of the most well-supported contenders, with his 8/1 price reflecting his strong credentials. Several factors make him one of the most appealing bets in the race:
1. Stamina and Jumping Ability
The Grand National is a severe test of stamina and jumping, with 30 fences to be negotiated over 4 miles and 2½ furlongs. Iroko has already proven his ability to see out long distances, and his Kelso run suggested he will stay the Aintree trip well.
2. A Perfect Weight
Iroko has been assigned a weight of 10st 11lbs, which is widely seen as ideal for a Grand National contender. This means he carries a light enough burden to be competitive in a big-field handicap, yet still has enough class to compete with the best horses in the race.
3. Ground Versatility
One of the key considerations for any Grand National contender is their ability to handle different types of ground. With Aintree currently watering the course following a dry spell, the conditions on race day could range from good to soft, or even softer if unexpected rain arrives. Iroko has proven himself adaptable on various ground conditions, which will stand him in good stead for the challenge ahead.
The Challenge of the Grand National
The Grand National is the ultimate test of a racehorse, and while Iroko is rightly well-fancied, success at Aintree is never guaranteed. The race is known for its dramatic unpredictability, and favourites often find themselves caught out by the unique fences, the sheer number of runners, or just bad luck in running.
Among Iroko’s biggest challengers in the 2025 Grand National field are:
- Intense Raffles (7/1 favourite) – Intense Raffles is current favourite for the Grand National and provides Iroko with perhaps the biggest threat.
- Stumptown (10/1) – Trained by Gavin Cromwell, Stumptown won the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham and is well supported for Aintree.
- Vanillier (12/1) – Third in the Cross Country at Cheltenham and second in the 2023 Grand National, another strong contender from Cromwell’s yard.
O’Neill Jr and Iroko will have to navigate all of these challengers and the unpredictability of the race itself, but they tick many of the right boxes heading into the big day.
Final Thoughts: Can O’Neill Jr Land His Biggest Career Win?
Jonjo O’Neill Jr has long been seen as a jockey with the potential to win major races, and the 2025 Grand National presents his biggest opportunity yet. After a memorable Cheltenham Festival, where he ended his six-year wait for a Festival winner before landing a 100/1 shock Triumph Hurdle victory, he heads to Aintree full of confidence.
Iroko’s form, stamina, and weight make him one of the leading contenders, and with O’Neill Jr in the saddle, connections will be hopeful of landing a famous victory.
Winning the Grand National would not only cement O’Neill Jr’s place among the elite jockeys in the sport but also be a poignant moment for his family, following in the footsteps of his father’s famous 2010 victory with Don’t Push It.
With just weeks to go until the biggest steeplechase in the world, Iroko and Jonjo O’Neill Jr look set to play a leading role in what promises to be another thrilling renewal of the Randox Grand National.
