Who Are The William Hill Ambassadors Riding In The 2025 Grand National?

The Grand National is the pinnacle of the National Hunt season and the eyes of the world will be on Aintree on Saturday 5th April 2025, with millions of viewers expected to tune in for the biggest betting event of the year.

A field of 34 runners go to post for the Grand National and winning connections will pick up the lion’s share of the £1 million prize money on offer in Aintree’s big race. Who will prevail? Only time will tell.

William Hill are offering a special price of 3/1 for any of the jockey ambassadors to win the 2025 Grand National so we’ve had a quick look through the runners and riders – the very best of luck to all four sets of connections!

Keith Donoghue

STUMPTOWN (8/1) is the choice of Keith Donoghue and I’m expecting a big run from the 2025 Cross Country Chase winner. That Cheltenham Festival race is often a fantastic pointer towards Grand National glory and Stumptown arrives here in the form of his life.

He has been popular with punters in the antepost markets for Saturday’s race and you’d have to give him a fantastic chance of going close if he takes to the Grand National fences – he could be the one to give Donoghue a first success in the Aintree feature.

J J Slevin

2024 Irish Grand National winner INTENSE RAFFLES has obvious claims for Aintree glory and J J Slevin will be on board this gallant grey as he bids to win the race for the first time. Without a doubt, he goes there with a live chance for trainer Tom Gibney.

He ran a tremendous race behind Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase in February and there is a 15lbs swing in favour of Intense Raffles – who finished less than a length behind Willie Mullins’ runner at Fairyhouse. He’d appreciate some cut in the ground but this 9/1 shot will surely feature at the business end of the race.

Sean Flanagan

Despite a howler of a mistake in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, Flanagan was able to galvanise VANILLIER (12/1) back into the race to finish a staying-on third and he could be very dangerous indeed at Aintree – having finished second off his current mark in this race two years ago.

Vanillier had valid excuses that day too and you’d expect Gavin Cromwell to instruct Flanagan to be more prominent this time around. If there is a decent pace to aim at, he’ll be finishing strongly and he’ll be a popular each way play on National Day.

Sam Twiston-Davies

Last but not least, we have Twiston-Davies and he will be riding BEAUPORT. Priced at 33/1 in horse racing odds with William Hill, he’s a fair each way price and connections will be hoping to see him run a big race – he’s been running well over hurdles in recent months and he looks in prime condition to go well at Aintree.

He’s relatively unexposed at marathon trips but won the 2024 Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter before clinching victory in the Berkshire National Handicap Chase at Ascot on his most recent start over fences. With a bit of luck, he can go well.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*