Grand National Festival 2025 betting preview

The Cheltenham Festival might be over for another year, but jump racing fans can look forward to plenty of top-class action with three thrilling days of action at Aintree - being watched on by the incoming Jockey Club CEO and former Ladbrokes Coral boss Jim Mullen. 

After 33 of the 34 Grand National runners were confirmed on Monday, accompanying the cavalcade that is the Grand National are no fewer than 11 Grade One races spread across the meeting. 

In case your pick doesn’t tack up, bet365 have wheeled out an enticing ‘no runner no bet’ special offer ahead of the Festival at Aintree means bettors can have peace of mind if the horse they back for the Grand National does not make the line-up on the day. 

Check out the best UK bookmakers to claim free bets worth up to £850!

Whether you are after a tip for the world’s most famous steeplechase or some help at dissecting the supporting races on offer, then FIRST provides this one-stop shop to help you find a few winners.

Grand National Festival 2025: Day one

The opening day of the Grand National Festival starts with a real bang with four Grade One races back-to-back. 

Many will be wondering if Nicky Henderson’s superstar Constitution Hill can bounce back from his fall in the Champion Hurdle in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle, a race he won in 2023. 

It could turn out to be a profitable day for the Seven Barrows master, who also holds strong claims with Jango Baie in the EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase. 

However, our NAP (best bet of the day) starts with a runner from the Dan Skelton yard that has been kept fresh for the meeting. 

FIRST’s top tip: Grey Dawning to win the Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (9/4 Coral)

Had things gone to plan earlier in the season then Grey Dawning could have been lining up in the Gold Cup, but as a result of missing that race, he arrives here as a fresh horse.

When it comes to a man with a plan there are few better than trainer Dan Skelton, who has targeted this race since for the eight-year-old he pulled up in the King George VI Chase.

After putting in a bold display of jumping with a confidence-boosting win in a listed race at Kelso last month the son of Flemensfirth arrives here cherry-ripe. 

This will be a much tougher test, but with a number of his rivals arriving with question marks next to their name, he looks a solid bet to scoop another Grade One.  

Extra tips

Mambonumberfive looks like a tasty each-way bet in the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle. 

The Born To Sea gelding cost a hefty sum, but after a below-par debut for Ben Pauling at Cheltenham he looked the real deal in the Grade Two Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton Park. 

With the switching of targets for JCB Triumph Hurdle runner-up Lulamba it has given the race a more open feel to it. 

And with Mambonumberfive arriving here fresh, having swerved the Cheltenham Festival, he looks an appealing alternative at the prices to continue his progression. 

Pick: Mambonumberfive each-way in the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, three places (25/1 Ladbrokes).

Grand National Festival 2025: Day two

If day one was enough to get the juices flowing then the second day is equally compelling with a card-oozing quality from start to finish.

Jonbon fluffed his lines when bidding for a first Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at last month’s Cheltenham Festival and he will bid for compensation when attempting to defend his title in the My Pension Expert Melling Chase.

The second day also marks the first time the professional jockeys will get a taste of the Grand National fences in the Topham Handicap Chase. 

And although the race has thrown up several surprise winners, youthful legs would appear to be the horses to side with given that eight of the last 11 winners have been aged nine or under. 

FIRST’s top tip: Tripoli Flyer to win the Top Novices’ Hurdle (3/1 Ladbrokes)

Tripoli Flyer was denied a run at the Cheltenham Festival after picking up a temperature in the build-up, but compensation awaits here. 

After finishing second in the Grade Two bumper at the meeting 12 months ago he can go one better on his return to the Merseyside venue. 

Despite making a few mistakes en route to victory in the Grade Two Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle last month it was a performance that underlined his talents. 

Although his jumping will need to be on point to win here he has reportedly schooled well at home this week. 

And with ground conditions looking ideal he should take plenty of stopping against a host of rivals that have all been in a battle at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Extra tips

David Pipe might not have the quality of horse he once possessed, but in Jurancon he can be rewarded with a big race win for taking a patient approach. 

The six-year-old has done little wrong this season having won four of his six starts over hurdles and finishing second in his other two. 

This will be the first time he has tackled two and a half miles, but the manner in which he has won his last two starts at Newbury suggests it should be well within reach. 

Five of the last 11 renewals have been won by six-year-olds which further enhances his claim off what looks like a workable mark of 132. 

Pick: Jurancon each-way in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle, four places (14/1 Spreadex)

Grand National Festival 2025: Day three

As three days of entertaining action enters the home straight households up and down the country will be glued to the television as 34 runners tackle this year’s Randox Grand National. 

In recent seasons the race has been dominated by Irish runners with six of the last 10 renewals being won by raiders from across the Irish Sea. 

And while Irish raiders once again dominate the betting there appears to be a strong contingent flying the flag for the home team that could easily have a say in the race. 

I Am Maximus is back to defend his title, but only Tiger Roll has managed to do that since the legendary Red Rum back in the 1970s, so the percentage call is to look elsewhere. 

FIRST’s top tip: Hyland each-way four places in the Grand National (20/1 Spreadex)

Nicky Henderson is yet to win the Randox Grand National in more than 40 years of training, but the race that has so far eluded him might finally be heading his way. 

Having made the cut for the race earlier this week Hyland looks the ideal type to tackle the Premier Handicap given his prominent style of running in a race where it pays to be handy. 

Although proving no match for Katate Dori in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase that effort can be marked up with his usual tactics swapped for hold-up ones. 

While his stamina will have to be taken on trust, ground conditions are key to Hyland, who likes to race on a sound surface which he will be assured of here. 

Only three winners have carried more than 11st to glory in the past 10 renewals of the race, which is another bonus for Hyland, who will have a featherweight of 10st 6lbs on his back, as is the fact that five of the last 10 winners have been eight-year-olds.

Extra tips

Mr Hope Street looks a solid bet to give trainer Dan Skelton a third straight success in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle. 

While he has only raced the once over and extended three miles it was a triumphant one at Southwell back in December. 

The Grade One-winning trainer believes the seven-year-old has more to offer over this trip and given his rate of improvement a mark of 127 could still underestimate him. 

Pick: Mr Hope Street to win the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (6/1 Ladbrokes).

Odds correct at the time of writing.