To the heartbreak of antepost backers, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will not run in the world’s greatest steeplechase, so who is the new favourite in Paddy Power’s Grand National betting market?
Gavin Cromwell’s stable star was the favourite for the Aintree feature before denying Galopin Des Champs a hat-trick in the Blue Riband event at the Cheltenham Festival and talk immediately turned to whether he could become the first horse in 91 years since Golden Miller to achieve the double.
Inothewayurthinkin was allotted a mark of 160 by the British handicapper for the Grand National – 7lbs inferior to last year’s winner and top weight I Am Maximus – and that looked incredibly generous based on his Cheltenham heroics.
Due to the quick turnaround and the fact he could dominate at the top level for years to come, it is, perhaps, unsurprising, that trainer Gavin Cromwell and owner JP McManus have opted against a crack at the Aintree marathon.
The void left by Inothewayurthinkin at the top of Paddy Power’s betting has been filled by ownermate Iroko.
The Grand National has been the long-term plan for the 2023 Martin Pipe winner since placing second behind Inothewayurthinkin in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at last year’s Aintree meeting.
According to trainers Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, McManus pinpointed Iroko as his great National hope for 2025 immediately after that race.
Intense Raffles, the winner of last year’s Irish Grand National, is next in our non runner money back betting.
Aintree has been the plan for connections since his Fairyhouse triumph and he was enjoying a quiet campaign over hurdles before a cracking performance over fences in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase when finishing less than a length behind Thyestes scorer Nick Rockett.
Shrewdies have spotted that there will be a 15lbs swing in the weights in Intense Raffles’ favour if the pair meet again in the Grand National on Saturday, 5th April.
Despite scratching Inothewayurthinkin from the race, Cromwell still boasts a stack of leading contenders towards the top of our market.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer could call upon Cross Country Chase champ Stumptown, 2023 Grand National second Vanillier and the hat-trick seeking Perceval Legallois, who is also owned by McManus.
The famous green-and-gold colours are also set to be carried by reigning I Am Maximus.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Read More on the Grand National 2025
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- The Ultimate Grand National Betting Guide
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