Mr Vango attempts to bring up a lucrative handicap hat-trick in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
The nine-year-old landed the London National before scooting to glory in the Peter Marsh and has only been hit with a 3lbs hike in the ratings for that success, although he has to lug top weight over the marathon 4m2f trip.
Knockanore has already proved he can handle extreme distances when romping to a 16l success in the Eider at Newcastle last time out, but he is up 10lbs in the handicap for that success.
Apple Away hasn’t quite lived up to the promise of her novice hurdling campaign but was an encouraging second in the Grand National Trial last month.
Welsh Grand National winner Val Dancer was third in the Haydock test and enjoys a huge swing at the weights with Lucinda Russell’s mare.
The latest Midlands Grand National 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.
Midlands Grand National 2025 verdict
Timeform: This is wide open but KNOCKANORE proved a revelation on his first go over a marathon trip when routing his field in Newcastle’s Eider Chase and with ground conditions again likely to be far from testing he can follow up with talented claimer Freddie Mitchell once more taking off 5 lb. The admirable Mr Vango is feared most in his hat-trick bid, although Tanganyika, Apple Away and Val Dancer all seem sure to have a say too. Invincible Nao completes the shortlist in a cracking Midlands National.
*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
Midlands Grand National 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Midlands Grand National 2025.
Mr Vango
Trainer: Sara Bradstock Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 9 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Has quickly made up into a smart chaser and followed up a winning return at Sandown (3m4f) with a game success in Peter Marsh at Haydock in January. Up another 3 lb but this really likeable type is a likely player in his hat-trick bid.
****
Apple Away
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Yet to score this season but she is knocking on the door and came in a clear second of 9 in Grand National Trial at Haydock four weeks ago. This longer trip promises to suit so big shout off just a 1lb higher mark.
****
Galia Des Liteaux
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 9 Weight: 11st 8lbs
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, so others are preferred.
**
Iron Bridge
Trainer: Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill Jockey: Richie McLernon Age: 9 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Useful handicapper but winless since 2022 and he failed to build on his reappearance Carlisle third when pulled up in Welsh National at Chepstow. Needs to get back on track after a break.
***
Saint Davy
Trainer: Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 8 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Made a promising start in this sphere when third at Sandown but hasn’t gone on in two subsequent starts, a fading fourth of six in 23f Newbury handicap last month. Takes a big step up in trip now and others appeal more.
**
Tanganyika
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Very much on the up since sent chasing, scoring at Market Rasen (3m) then following up impressively at Carlisle (3m) last month. This demands more but he’s a major player with better still to come now tackling a marathon trip for the first time.
****
Val Dancer
Trainer: Mel Rowley Jockey: Charlie Hammond Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Much improved for fitting of cheekpieces and took his form to a new level when winning Welsh National at Chepstow in December. Ran another cracker off 12 lb higher (6 lb out of the handicap) when third in Haydock’s Grand National Trial since and this likeable sort must enter calculations.
****
Egbert
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Tom Cannon Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Dual chase winner at up to 3m last season and added Haydock’s Tommy Whittle in December. Running well, though held in third, when fell last in Eider at Newcastle since. No easy ride but he could have a part to play off the same mark.
***
Where It All Began
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Danny Gilligan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Irish raider landed Grand National Trial at Punchestown last February. Hasn’t come close to that form since though, looking increasingly temperamental and he fell in last month’s repeat bid. Others appeal more.
**
Fortunedefortunata
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jake Coen Age: 8 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Irish challenger left his previous chasing efforts behind when bagging 17-runner handicap chase at Punchestown (27f) 23 days ago, overcoming last-fence error. Likely to do better still stepping up in trip. Well in the mix.
***
Anglers Crag
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Henry Brooke Age: 10 Weight: 11st 1lbs
A big improver for current stable after wind surgery last term, completing the four-timer in Newcastle’s Eider. Caught the eye when fourth of 14 in Edinburgh National at Musselburgh last time so he’s very much one to consider eased 1 lb.
***
Knockanore
Trainer: Ryan Potter Jockey: Freddie Mitchell Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Opened his chase account over 2m4f here in December and took his form up a couple of notches when a wide-margin winner of Newcastle’s Eider three weeks ago. Hiked up 10 lb but not taken lightly with talented 5 lb claimer Freddie Mitchell again up.
*****
Passing Well
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Yet to score this season but this reliable sort has been placed on all five runs, a solid third of 17 to Knockanore in Eider at Newcastle 21 days ago. Can go well again.
***
Ioupy Collonges
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 7 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Resumed winning ways in 3m1f handicap at Wincanton on Boxing Day and backed it up with a good second of 6 there following month when fitted with cheekpieces. This consistent can make his presence felt if his stamina holds out.
***
Bodhisattva
Trainer: John McConnell Jockey: Callum Pritchard Age: 8 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Irish challenger is on a losing run but he posted a good second in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh in February before unseating 18th in Eider at Newcastle three weeks ago. Possibilities.
***
My Silver Lining
Trainer: Emma Lavelle Jockey: James Best Age: 9 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Bagged Warwick’s Classic Chase last season but he’s been pulled up in three of his four runs this term, latest when tried in cheekpieces at Wincanton in January. Others more persuasive.
**
Invincible Nao
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 7 Weight: 10st 8lbs
On the up since the hood went on and bids for a hat-trick after a pair of handicap wins at Plumpton, getting up late on latter occasion over 28.5f. No forlorn hope on his first go over a marathon distance.
***
Read These Next
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
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- Grand National weights: Full list of Aintree 2025 handicap ratings
- Antepost Betting: What exactly is antepost betting on horse racing?
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