Even before the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the JP McManus-owned Inothewayurthinkin was amongst the most well-fancied contenders for the 2025 Aintree Grand National. Having slammed the two-time champion Galopin Des Champs by six lengths in the Cheltenham Festival showpiece, he was the clear Grand National favourite at around the 3/1 mark.
However, the latest Grand National declaration stage revealed that Inothewayurthinkin will not attempt the Cheltenham Gold Cup/Aintree Grand National double.
Explaining the decision to scratch his superstar chaser from the most famous race of the year, trainer Gavin Cromwell stated:
“We’ve decided to take Inothewayurthinkin out of the Grand National. He’s only seven, and we’ve worked so hard on his jumping this season that we feel it just might be a backward step to run him at Aintree.
“We’re absolutely delighted to win a Gold Cup, and it might be asking a bit much of him to try to win a Grand National as well at the age of seven.”
Other notable contenders to be withdrawn include fellow Gold Cup runners; Gentlemansgame, Monty’s Star, and The Real Whacker, and another Gavin Cromwell runner, Limerick Lace, who started as the joint favourite for the 2024 Grand National.
Irish National Hero Now Tops the Market
Following the withdrawal of Inothewayurthinkin, the market has latched onto the claims of the 2024 Irish Grand National champion, Intense Raffles, who now heads the betting at a general 7/1.
Hailing from the yard of Thomas Gibney, this Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned runner had shown little in two hurdles outings on his return to the track but bounced back to something like his best when going down by just three-quarters of a length in the Bobbyjo Chase last time out. That effort should tee him up nicely for Aintree as he bids to join Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde, and defending champion I Am Maximus as Irish and English Grand National winners.
Green and Gold Still Strongly Represented
Hot on the heels of another year as the leading owner at the Cheltenham Festival, McManus will have high hopes of landing a fourth Grand National, following the victories of Don’t Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021), and I Am Maximus (2024).
Inothewayurthinkin may head elsewhere – with a tilt at the Punchestown Gold Cup possibly on the agenda – but the famous green and gold silks still look set to be strongly represented at Aintree on 5th April. A little under three weeks before the big day, McManus retains six entries in the race, with the following quartet, in particular, catching the eye.
Iroko
The 2023 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle winner hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck with injuries but now looks poised to make his mark over fences. His four-length second to Inothewayurthinkin in the 2024 Mildmay Novices’ Chase doesn’t read too badly now and he warmed up for this with a runners-up effort behind Grey Dawning in a Listed contest at Kelso. Unexposed over marathon distances, he is currently second favourite in most betting lists.
I Am Maximus
It isn’t easy to win back-to-back Grand Nationals, but as displayed by Red Rum, Tiger Roll, and others, the task is not impossible. I Am Maximus is eight pounds higher in the handicap this time and saddled with top weight of 11st12lb. However, few winners have scored as impressively as Willie Mullins’ 2024 champ and the additional weight may not be enough to stop him.
Perceval Legallois
In the absence of Inothewayurthinkin and Limerick Lace, Gavin Cromwell may rely on this eight-year-old Balingarry gelding. He’s yet to race over anything like this far but arrives in red hot form following back-to-back Listed victories at Leopardstown.
Perceval Legallois lands the big prize pot!
The €110,000 Paddy Power Chase goes the way of @gavincromwell1 and Mark Walshpic.twitter.com/RYHfvKxwH7
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 27, 2024
Meetingofthewaters
Having finished an admirable seventh in the 2024 edition, Meetingofthewaters returns for another crack at the prize. Only a pound higher this time, and a year older and stronger, he is likely to be a popular each-way option at a general 25/1.
Meetingofthewaters runs away with the @paddypower Handicap Chase
Another win for @WillieMullinsNH with @dan2231 in the saddle pic.twitter.com/pkWYvhek21
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 27, 2023
With all six McManus runners assured of a place in the final 34-runner field, there is a fair chance that Aintree may follow in the footsteps of Cheltenham and see those instantly recognisable silks in the winner’s enclosure at the end of the main event.
