Analysing JP McManus Aintree Contenders For The 2025 Grand National

JP McManus is the biggest owner in jumps racing and the Limerick businessman bids to win the Grand National for the fourth time but who is his best chance in this year’s race?

A household name in the world of horse racing, the green and gold McManus silks are the most famous colours in the sport and he has celebrated victory in Aintree’s feature horse racing betting race on three occasions.

Don’t Push It was first to win for McManus in 2010 before Minella Times struck in 2021 and then I Am Maximus came home best of all to win last year’s race. He is a shrewd operator and he may have as many as six runners lining up in 2025.

Here, we take a look at the six potential JP McManus runners in the 2025 Grand National and assess their chances. William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell confirmed that 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will not run at Aintree but he still holds a strong hand in the Aintree showpiece.

I AM MAXIMUS

Last year’s winner has shown next to no form throughout the first half of the season but I guess Willie Mullins is minding him for one day and one day only.

He was a non-runner in the Bobbyjo Chase due to an infection so he missed that intended engagement and he comes here off the back of a 17 lengths defeat in the Irish Gold Cup.

Jody McGarvey is an intelligent jockey and he has minded his mount on each of his last two starts – though you can be sure Paul Townend will return to the saddle at Aintree.

He is widely regarded as a tricky ride but the horse that they call ‘Moo Moo’ at home can emulate some of the all-time greats by clinching back-to-back Grand Nationals.

Odds: 10/1

CAPODANNO

Capodanno ran a nice Grand National trial at Fairyhouse last month, finishing around seven lengths adrift of both Nick Rockett and Intense Raffles – two leading contenders for Aintree this year.

The concern for him is the trip. This will be his third run in the Grand National and he has failed to see out the 4m2f on both occasions. He certainly won’t be JP McManus’ main dart at the race.

Now a nine-year-old, there may be the odd punter or two that is willing to give him the benefit of doubt but he wouldn’t be for me.

His form is sketchy at best and he’s a genuine 66/1 chance. It would be a huge shock to see Capodanno prevail in the 2025 Grand National.

Odds: 66/1

CHANTRY HOUSE

Another outsider in the sports betting odds for Aintree, Chantry House claimed his first victory in almost three years when winning a Class 2 Handicap Chase on New Year’s Day.

The Grand National continues to elude Nicky Henderson and it would be some story if this two-time Grade 1 winner could give the Seven Barrows handler his first success in the Aintree feature.

He runs off a mark of 153 and that is four pounds higher than when beating Our Power and Bowtogreatness at Cheltenham. While the emotional fairytale would be a sight to behold, it’s hard to justify backing him on all known form.

For me, you’ll have drawn the short straw if you get Chantry House in the office sweepstake anyway…

Odds: 66/1

PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS

Perceval Legallois is a progressive type but he’s set to run off a career high mark and I can see the angle for taking him on. Unexposed over marathon trips, he looks like a natural stayer and he’s trained by a genius in Gavin Cromwell.

He won a Listed Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and runs off a BHA mark of 153 – some 11lbs higher than that winning mark. For me, he’s probably the third choice JP McManus runner at this stage.

He could prove me wrong but I’m not entirely sure how much he could have in hand off his current mark, unless the trip brings out significant improvement once again.

Once known as a bit of a bridesmaid horse, it’d be great to see him win on the biggest stage of all but he wouldn’t be for me.

Odds: 12/1

IROKO

Campaigned as a Grand National horse for the entire season, connections have been open with regards to Iroko’s target all year – and you’d imagine he will be primed to peak at Aintree next month.

JP McManus reportedly told Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero that this was his Grand National horse for 2025 and his careful campaigning has helped him to remain on a BHA mark of 152.

With I Am Maximus carrying top weight off a mark of 167, Iroko will have a lovely racing weight of 10-11 and he should be bang there if he stays 4m2f.

He’s ran over an intermediate distance for much of the campaign and it’ll be interesting to see just how much he improves for stepping markedly up in trip. I like his chances.

Odds: 8/1

MEETINGOFTHEWATERS

Willie Mullins himself labelled Meetingofthewaters as one of his best Grand National hopes this season but he’s had a bit of an underwhelming campaign. Having said that, he ran a nice race last year despite his lack of experience.

Approaching the second last, punters may have thought he was in with a chance but his effort petered out and he finished seventh, some 16 lengths behind the winner.

However, he was within 10 lengths of the runner up as the field finished in a cluster that day and, with another year of big-field experience under his belt, he could be a dark horse at a nice price.

He finished down the field behind Perceval Legallois at Christmas but he’ll run off a very low weight at Aintree and he’s worth considering as an each way play.

Odds: 25/1

JP McManus Grand National Specials

• JP McManus to own the winner of the 2025 Grand National – 7/4
• JP McManus to own the 1-2-3 in the 2025 Grand National – 33/1

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