Grand National

When it comes to finding the winner of the 'big one' on 11th April, the use of some reliable recent trends could prove vital. 

2025 winner: Nick Rockett
Age: 8yo
Weight: 11st8lb
Officially rated: 163
Odds: 33-1
Jockey: Mr P Mullins
Trainer: W Mullins

Top Grand National Trainer (last 15 years) 

• Miss Lucinda Russell - 2 wins, 0 placed, 6 runners 
• Willie Mullins - 2 wins, 6 placed, 53 runners
• Gordon Elliott - 2 wins, 5 placed, 49 runners

FIVE BIG GRAND NATIONAL TRENDS

Youngsters on top

The younger horses certainly came out on top during the last 10 years, with older 10yo+ runners blanking at 0-164. Instead, the focus should be on 7-9yo's (10-217), especially the improving 8yo's (6-86).

Stick with winners

Of all the main form pointers, the most crucial is this - stick with a horse that knows where the winning line is, especially those that triumphed during their last three runs (8-168) - Nick Rockett won at Fairyhouse 30 days prior to following-up at Aintree. Those without a win from their last three efforts provided just two winners at 2-214.

Avoid poor form

During the last 10 Grand Nationals, 121 runners turned up having been well beaten last time by over 30l or didn't complete, and each subsequently lost at Aintree.

Go the distance

A mix of proving themselves over staying trips along with remaining unexposed, and therefore open to improvement beyond marathon trips of 4m+, was a trait shared by the majority of recent National winners. 

Indeed, the maximum trip over which 8 of the last 10 victors had ever run over was from 3m-3m5f (8-171), which by massively favoured them against those that were already exposed in having raced over 3m5.5f or further at 2-209.

Count the runs

Arriving at Aintree having not been overly exposed in handicap chases is a component all the best Grand National trainers knew was important, hence why each of the last 10 winners had only 1-7 runs in a handicap chase prior to lining-up for this (10-200) - those with more runs blanked at 0-166.

To recap, each of the above main trends are key when looking for this year's winner, and they have been summarised below, along with several other added trends to look out for.