Nicky Henderson Runners In The 2025 Grand National

Nicky Henderson, who has won just about every race in the country, has actually never won the Grand National.

His first Grand National as a trainer was in 1979 with Zongalero, which turned out to be the best result he has ever had in the race, as the horse came runner-up by just one and a half lengths to Rubstic.

Can Henderson finally break his Grand National betting hoodoo this year? He’ll be hoping that one of the following horses can do help him do just that:

CHANTRY HOUSE

Eleven-year-old Chantry House is somewhat of an enigma nowadays, giving us a flash of his old brilliance when claiming his first victory in almost three years in a Class 2 Handicap Chase on New Year’s Day.

However there was no such follow up in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at the end of January, where he was firmly put to the sword by L’Homme Presse, finishing some thirty lengths behind Venetia Williams’ runner.

Rest assured, Chantry House is no back number in the grand scheme of jumps racing. He was a dual Grade 1 winner in his novice chasing days, winning at both the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree in 2021.

He wouldn’t be the silliest 100/1 shot you could place your little each-way bet on when betting on horse racing.

HYLAND

A barrage of support has come for Nicky Henderson’s Hyland in recent weeks and he’s as short as 16/1 now in our Grand National odds.

The eight-year-old has won three of his six starts over fences thus far, with his best result coming this season in the Ladbrokes Trophy, where he finished second to the runaway winner Katate Dori.

Questioned over the tactics aboard Hyland that day, Henderson said it merely underlined the horse’s versatility: “Normally he is up there, or he makes the running, as he did in the Grade One at Kempton Park at Christmas. I was pleased enough with his latest run as it was on soft ground and he was ridden from the back in the ruck.

“In those smaller-field races he often leads, but he doesn’t have to lead though in a big handicap. Given he was right in the ruck in his last race on ground that was soft enough for him it showed him to be very versatile which does help.”

With the promising novice Hyland, Henderson may well have unearthed a genuine contender.

FANTASTIC LADY

Game mare Fantastic Lady is borderline to get into the race, but if she does she’s a 150/1 shot to take home the spoils.

Henderson discussed her participation in Aintree’s showpiece twelve months ago, but she was given the green light this time round, having impressed when winning the Oaksey Chase at Sandown last April.

We last saw her being pulled up in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham which hardly inspires confidence for this unique test.