Yeah Man is bidding to win the Grand National Trial at Haydock for the second year in a row on Saturday.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding is 11lbs higher in the handicap compared to 12 months ago but carries 4lbs fewer thanks to the presence of 164-rated track specialist Royale Pagaille.
The presence of the dual Betfair Chase winner means half of the 10-strong field – Famous Bridge, Where It All Began, Git Maker, Val Dancer and Jubilee Express – are running out of the weights.
Val Dancer is attempting to bring up a hat-trick, however, after scoring in the Welsh Grand National over the Christmas period.
Fontaine Collonges bids to score at Haydock for the second time this season, while mares Apple Away and Galia Des Liteaux – eighth in last year’s Grand National – complete the line-up for Saturday’s 15:15.
The latest Grand National Trial odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Grand National Trial 2025 verdict
Timeform: YEAH MAN was a ready winner of this event 12 months ago and has shown enough in a couple of starts this season to suggest he has another staying handicap in him. He can take the prize home again. There are plenty of dangers, however, with Git Maker and Apple Away particularly feared.
*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
Grand National Trial 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Grand National Trial 2025.
Royale Pagaille
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 11 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Mud lover who enhanced his excellent record at this venue when landing a second Betfair Chase in November. Pulled up after a bad mistake here last time but remains feasibly treated and warrants plenty of respect.
***
Fontaine Collonges
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Ned Fox Age: 10 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Recorded a smart handicap performance when adding to her good record fresh with easy victory at this course (25.5f, heavy) in November. Ran poorly in Welsh National since, however, and would need a career best to defy current mark.
**
Yeah Man
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Won this contest last year (off 11 lb lower) and has acquitted himself well in both starts this term, latest when fourth of 18 in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, soft, 9/2) 23 days ago, caught further back than ideal. Shortlist material.
*****
Galia Des Liteaux
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Tristan Durrell Age: 9 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Listed/Graded winner who showed she can also be competitive in staying handicaps when second in the Classic Chase at Warwick (29f) early last year. Not been in quite same form this season, however. and others look better treated.
**
Apple Away
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Wide-margin winner on second start over fences last season and back on the up when successful in listed mares chase at Perth in April. Turned in best effort of this campaign when good second of 5 in listed chase at Newbury (23.4f, good to soft) last month and looks fairly treated back handicapping.
****
Famous Bridge
Trainer: Nicky Richards Jockey: Sean Quinlan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Dual winner here (both 25.6f) last term and has run with credit in both outings this season, latest when third of 9 in handicap chase at this course (25.6f, heavy) 56 days ago. Cheekpieces now added for first time and he ought to give another good account. 2 lb out of the weights.
***
Where It All Began
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Gainford Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Staying on well when derailed by bad mistake in Welsh National on return and latest run at Gowran can be excused (badly hampered after start). Not out of things. (4 lb out of the weights).
***
Git Maker
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Tough and likeable chaser who ended last season with an excellent effort in Scottish National (third) at Ayr. Should be straighter for last month’s hurdling return and looks a likely player. 5 lb out of the handicap.
****
Val Dancer
Trainer: Mel Rowley Jockey: Charlie Hammond Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Much improved for fitting of cheekpieces and took his form to a new level when winning Welsh National at Chepstow (30.6f, good to soft) in December. 12 lb higher (6 lb out of the handicap) here but this likeable sort must enter calculations.
***
Jubilee Express
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Dylan Johnston Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Progressive over fences in cheekpieces last season, culminating with a win over C&D (heavy) in March. Found further improvement when good 1½ lengths second of 15 to Val Dancer in Welsh National at Chepstow on return and is another to consider. 8 lb out of the handicap.
***
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