Intense Raffles Is The New Favourite For the Grand National in 2025 – But Can He Win?
I know that everybody was shocked when Gavin Cromwell took Inothewayurthinkin out of the Grand National, despite the fact that he was the favourite.
When the latest scratching deadline came around, the trainer wasted no time taking his Gold Cup winner out of contention. And who can blame him?
The reality is that the first time owner JP McManus won the Gold Cup, it was with Synchronised in 2012. A month later, he sent him to Aintree, and the horse fell and was fatally injured.
Like Synchronised, his second Gold Cup winner, Inothewayurthinkin, was also bred by his wife Noreen. The notion that McManus would tempt fate and repeat the process all over again while hoping for a better outcome was ludicrous.
I know that McManus made his early money in betting, but this is one gamble he was never going to take.
And so, with everyone seemingly shocked by the decision, the betting markets underwent a seismic shift.
What it also did was give us a new favourite for the 2025 Grand National.
Intense Raffles
Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles, from trainer Thomas Gibney, is the favourite for the Aintree spectacle.
The move has sparked fresh excitement and debate among racing enthusiasts, bookmakers, and punters as they scramble to reassess their predictions and tips.
With the Grand National set to unfold on Saturday, April 5, 2025, the withdrawal of Inothewayurthinkin has blown the field wide open, but so too have some very good recent performances from the other contenders.
As the dust settles on this latest development, all eyes are now on Intense Raffles and the rest of the field, who are all vying for glory in the world's most famous steeplechase.
With odds of around 6/1 to 7/1, the seven-year-old gelding, trained by Thomas Gibney, has captured the attention of experts due to his impressive recent performances.
His credentials were significantly boosted by a victory in the 2024 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, where he demonstrated both stamina and jumping ability over a challenging distance.
Intense Raffles further solidified his potential with a strong second-place finish in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase earlier this year, a race that has proven to be a reliable trial for the Grand National.
His favourable weight of 10st 10lbs for the Aintree spectacle, combined with his proven ability to handle long-distance races, has made him an attractive prospect for the four-mile test.
But is it enough, and should you be looking elsewhere for better value and a more likely winner?
The Rest Of The Field
The latest scratching stage, which coincided with Inothewayurthinkin's withdrawal, saw a total of 11 horses removed from the Grand National entries, plus three more who did not qualify.
Notable scratchings included Gentlemansgame, Monty's Star, and The Real Whacker, who finished third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, in the Gold Cup.
Since then, Farouk d'Alene has been declared a non-runner, which leaves 66 horses still in contention for the final field of 34 runners.
Close behind Intense Raffles in the betting markets are Iroko and last year's winner, I Am Maximus, both priced at around 8-1.
Iroko has been gaining momentum after a promising performance in the Premier Chase at Kelso earlier this month. Meanwhile, I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins, faces the challenge of defending his title while carrying top weight this year.
Also seeing his odds tumble is the Glenfarclas Chase winner, Stumptown, from Gavin Cromwell.
I reckon he will ultimately go off as the favourite, or near enough with his price dropping from around 20/1 to just 9/1 with some bookmakers.
Other solid each-way options include Nick Rockett and Perceval Legallois, both at longer odds.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Kandoo Kid is another interesting prospect, with the possibility of top jockey Harry Cobden in the saddle adding to its appeal.
JP McManus Runners
This season has been incredible for JP McManus and he will undoubtedly be hoping to add another trophy to his collection.
He is set to have a formidable presence in the 2025 Grand National, with six runners among the top 34 contenders.
His contingent is led by the defending champion, I Am Maximus, who will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner since Tiger Roll in 2018-2019.
Iroko, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, has caught the eye of many punters and is currently priced at around 14/1.
Capodanno, Meetingofthewaters, and Perceval Legallois, all trained by Willie Mullins, add depth to McManus's squad.
Chantry House, from Nicky Henderson, rounds out the sextet, giving McManus a strong hand in his bid for a fourth Grand National victory.
With this impressive lineup, McManus demonstrates once again why he is considered one of the most influential figures in National Hunt racing, and his green and gold silks are likely to feature prominently in the build-up to and during the iconic Aintree spectacle.
Key Dates
As is always the case, nothing is set in stone until the final declarations. We still have another scratching deadline on the calendar on March 31.
This will give a clearer picture of the likely runners, although the final declaration of the 34-strong field won't happen until two days before the race, on April 3.
The good news is that the reserve system is back in place, allowing up to four reserve horses numbered from 35 to 38.
This decision aims to maximise the likelihood of a full field of 34 runners, addressing issues that arose from the reduced field size implemented in 2024.
The reintroduction of reserves resolves previous technological challenges by placing them correctly at the bottom of the racecard, enhancing the integrity and excitement of the iconic £1 million race.
The Big Day
As we approach the big day, attention will turn to factors such as ground conditions, jockey bookings, and final preparations.
The Grand National has a history of producing surprise winners and heart-stopping finishes, and the 2025 edition looks set to continue this tradition.
Whether it's the favourite Intense Raffles, a previous winner like I Am Maximus, or a long-shot outsider that takes the glory, one thing is certain: the 2025 Grand National will provide another unforgettable chapter in the rich history of this beloved sporting event.
With £500,000 in prize money for the winner and the prestige of claiming one of racing's greatest prizes, the stakes couldn't be higher.
As the tension builds in the coming weeks, racing fans will be eagerly anticipating the moment when the tape goes up, and the roar of the Aintree crowd signals the start of the race.
In a race where anything can happen, and often does, the withdrawal of one favourite has opened up a world of possibilities, ensuring that this year's Grand National will be as unpredictable and exciting as ever.
BETFRED
