I picked the Grand National winner last year - here is my horseracing tip for 2025 glory at the Aintree steeplechase
I Am Maximus was victorious in the 2024 edition of the festival - and Davy Russell has dipped his toe into the odds market again
Two-time Grand National winning jockey Davy Russell hit the nail on the head at the festival last year.
The Aintree victor, who clinched back-to-back Grand Nationals on board Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019, successfully picked out the 2024 winner, I Am Maximus, who took the crown off Corach Rambler.
And now as anticipation builds for the 2025 showpiece steeplechase this weekend, Russell has given punters big racing tips on who he thinks will win this year’s renewal.
At the time of writing, I Am Maximus is priced up around 10/1 and is the sixth-most popular Grand National bet over the past week on Oddschecker.
Russell said: “I was just so impressed by I Am Maximus last year. [Jockey] Paul Townend was fantastic on him.
"He’s got a good enough profile for the race, and he’s got a very good chance this year.”
He added: "You always see some really good racing. The racing is very competitive. Although they don't have the real flashy names turn up - as in the horses.
"But this year might be different. The way Cheltenham went it looks like Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth, they are going to clash and there are other big names to get the juices flowing there.
"It is a marvellous festival and all those races take centre stage on each day. You must take each day as it comes."
As each way shout, Russell has tipped up Three Card Brag to run a big race, explaining: “Three Card Brag was a good novice hurdler and a good novice chaser.
"He could be interesting at a bigger price. I think he’s one who might just slip under the radar.”
Three Card Brag is currently priced around the 20/1 – 22/1 mark and has been one of the last horses to make it into the field.
Latest Grand National Odds with Oddschecker:
Iroko – 8/1 Stumptown – 8/1 I Am Maximus – 10/1 Vanillier – 10/1 Hewick – 10/1 Intense Raffles – 12/1 Perceval Legallois – 12/1 Minella Cocooner – 14/1 Hyland – 20/1 Meetingofthewaters – 22/1.
The full list of runners and riders for Grand National
I Am Maximus Paul Townend
Royale Pagaille Charlie Deutsch
Nick Rockett Patrick Mullins
Grangeclare West Brian Hayes
Hewick Gavin Sheehan
Minella Indo Rachael Blackmore
Appreciate It Sean O'Keeffe
Minella Cocooner Jonathan Burke
Conflated Jordan Gainford
Stumptown Keith Donoghue
Hitman Freddie Gingell
Beauport Sam Twiston-Davies
Bravemansgame James Reveley
Chantry House James Bowen
Threeunderthrufive Harry Skelton
Perceval Legallois Mark Walsh
Kandoo Kid Harry Cobden
Iroko Jonjo O'Neill Jr
Intense Raffles JJ Slevin
Senior Chief Darragh O'Keeffe
Idas Boy Harry Bannister
Fil Dor Sam Ewing
Broadway Boy Tom Bellamy
Coko Beach Jody McGarvey
Stay Away Fay Paul O'Brien
Meetingofthewaters Danny Mullins
Monbeg Genius Nick Scholfield
Vanillier Sean Flanagan
Horantzau D'Airy Ciaran Gethings
Hyland Nico de Boinville
Celebre D'Allen Micheal Nolan
Three Card Brag Sean Bowen
Twig Beau Morgan
Duffle Coat Danny Gilligan.
The World's Greatest Steeplechase is the biggest gambled on horserace on the planet and bookmakers estimate £250m will be wagered on the three days of the Aintree festival and £150m on the big race alone.