The Grand National is the most famous steeplechase in the world. It is ingrained in British culture, with millions tuning in to watch the North West-based event every year.
This year’s race will see two stables from the North West represented. Former winner Donald McCain has entered Richmond Lake and Minella Drama, while Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero will saddle Iroko.
McCain Family Rooted into Grand National History Books
The McCain family have a rich history in the Grand National. Ginger McCain won the race four times, while his son, Donald McCain, who now holds the licence at Cholmondeley Stables, was successful in 2011 with Ballabriggs.
McCain’s best chance of his second success this year is likely to come with Richmond Lake, who is 100/1 in the horse racing betting for the marathon contest. He was fourth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree earlier this season.
The bet on Grand National ante-post market also includes Minella Drama, who is 100/1 to triumph for McCain. The 10-year-old prevailed in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree earlier this season. He featured in the Grade One Melling Chase at the Grand National Meeting in 2024.
If both of McCain’s horses make the final field for the Grand National, former Champion Jockey Brian Hughes will have a big decision to make regarding which horse he rides. He may partner Richmond Lake at the Cheltenham Festival, as the chaser has entries in the Ultima Handicap Chase and Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the meeting. Minella Drama, on the other hand, does not have any entries before the richest jumps race in the UK.
Iroko Set to Represent Upcoming Training Duo
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero are considered two of the brightest trainers in the UK with a big future in the sport. They will get a chance to record the biggest triumph of their partnership so far at this year’s Grand National with Iroko.
Owned by JP McManus, a man who has won the Aintree feature three times, Iroko is a well-bred chaser who has been linked with the Grand National ever since he won on his chase debut at Warwick. He has been trained this season to be at his peak for the race in early April.
Iroko began his latest campaign at Haydock, finishing second in a graduation chase. His latest appearance came at Cheltenham where he was fourth of 11 runners in a premier handicap chase over 2m4f.
At the age of seven, Iroko is one of the youngest horses in this year’s Grand National entries. Only one seven-year-old in the last 85 years has won the race at Aintree, and that was Noble Yeats in 2022. Although he lacks the experience that some of his rivals will have, Greenall and Guerriero are confident he can be in the mix in the contest.
The 2025 Grand National is set to take place at 4pm on the 5th of April, and it will be live on terrestrial television on ITV.
