Grand National 2025: Ladbrokes traders give their picks for huge race

Ladbrokes' team of traders have provided us with their picks and tips to help those looking to bet on the Grand National this year. 

The 2025 Grand National is right around the corner, with the latest odds tipping I Am Maximus, last year's winner, to emerge victorious again on April 5.

But what does Ladbrokes' team of traders think is going to happen at Aintree on Saturday?

We asked Ladbrokes' traders for their pick for this weekend's Grand National, and some of their answers are rather interesting...

I'm going for Perceval Legallois to land the National for Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus. He was impressive when winning a highly competitive Paddy Power Chase back in December and the fact he managed to pick up a big handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival when switched to hurdles last time suggests this is a highly progressive horse in red-hot form." For an each-way pick, I am chancing Beauport - this horse definitely stays and has a touch of class so should give his supporters a great run for their money.

"The one I've given to all the people who only talk to me once a year is Minella Cocooner. My National system is Irish-trained horses who have never seen the fences before (because most don't seem to like it so much second time round) but have shown an aptitude for jumping, staying, and travelling on decent ground. Minella Cocooner ticks all the boxes and is trained by someone who wins 90% of good jump races, so he'll do for me. At bigger odds the wife will be given Senior Chief, who has been shunned by Racheal Blackmore (Senior Chief, not the wife) but has shown enough in a relatively brief chasing career to suggest that a clear round of jumping might be enough to get him in the frame at decent odds."

"My pick would be Threeunderthrufive for the Paul Nicholls yard. He should relish the good ground and hasn't had a hard season so far with just two (very respectable) runs at Ascot. A rare jockey booking for the yard in Harry Skelton is no negative here either and I'd fancy him to get round and hit at least a place at a decent price."

"I’ve gone with Grangeclare West a Grade 1 winner as a novice who ran an absolute cracker in the PP GC at Leopardstown back in February. Still feels like there’s untapped potential at these distances, and now stepping into a handicap. You can probably write off his latest run; he was never really involved over a trip that was too sharp nowadays. likely just a prep for this. Twig at a price sticking to hurdles most of this season, but his first go over fences this season last time out was pretty encouraging could’ve been the plan all along to run him in this pretty versatile ground wise."

"Minella Cocooner has proven himself at a staying trip winning the bet365 Gold Cup last season and he looks set to run well again with similar ground conditions today. Beauport is another that has no stamina questions and has been competing at the top table over hurdles. He can run well at a bigger price."

"For a rock-solid each-way bet, I've nailed my colours to Iroko, who has stalked around all season with this race as his sole target. In a race of fairly known quantities, I think he is the only horse who could plausibly have 15lbs in hand. His 2nd to Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin at last year's meeting doesn't look too shabby." Dropping a win-only bomb, I'm hoping Nigel Twiston-Davies will be partying like it's 2002 (Bindaree's year) when Broadway Boy lifts the big one. Things have gone awry in his last two outings, but a repeat of his excellent 2nd in the Coral Gold Cup (jumped boldly in front and coming back for more at the end) would put him right in the mix. That form looks super strong with 3rd Victtorino and 5th Henry's Friend going on to land big pots."

"Plenty of logical form angles to take a swing at but I'm going for Stay Away Fay to win this year's Grand National as a heart-over-head pick. In the doldrums since last Spring, bought by new owners with this race as the sole target for the season. He should enjoy the quick ground, and if he gets into a rhythm near the front end of the field could run a nice race - if I didn't put him up I'd get pelters around the trading desk if he was to perform a miracle! If I was nailing my colours to one at a shorter price, the people's champ Hewick would be a good story and is another who will relish the quicker ground."

Ladbrokes has valuable insights into the favourites heading into Saturday's Grand National at Aintree, as well as a beginners guide to betting on the race for those new to the scene.

View the latest Grand National Betting odds

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.