Racing legends Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy have revealed their top four for the 2025 Grand National but the iconic due have not seen eye-to-eye when it comes to their favoured picks
Horse racing icons AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh have disagreed on their picks for this year’s Grand National. Speaking on ITV ahead of the race on Saturday morning the iconic duo were asked to weigh in on their top four for 2025.
The Grand National field is much more bunched than in previous years, with no real short-priced favourite. Last year’s winner, I Am Maximum looks set to go off as the jolly, with the rest of the market principals, including Iroko, Perceval Legallois, Stumptown and Hewick all only a few points back.
Nevertheless, McCoy can’t see past the favourite, trained by Willie Mullins, when it comes to the winner. “I went I am Maximus last year and I’m going again this year,” McCoy, 50, said. “Grangeclare West, Stumptown and Intense Raffles.” he added, rounding off his choices.
However it was then revealed that the pair only shared one horse for their favourites. Walsh plucked for Perceval Legallois, Minella Cocooner, I am Maximus, and Fil Dor.
Walsh also backed up his claims to Racing TV. “I think Perceval Legallois is the one to be with myself,” the former jockey said.
“I thought he was a good winner of the Paddy Power. I think he’s got some cracking runs in all the right top handicap chases, and Gavin Cromwell’s horses are in great form. I really like the chance of Perceval Legallois.”
It’s notoriously difficult to pick a winner for the National, given the sheer number of riders and length, but that doesn’t stop millions from having a go every year.
Thirty-four runners are set to battle it out over four miles and two and a half furlongs at Aintree on Saturday afternoon and numerous experts have had their say on who will take the crown.
The three-time winning owner JP McManus is seeking a record fourth victory for an owner in the contest and has Iroko and Perceval Legallois running – yet elected for last year’s winner, telling The Telegraph : “We’ve got a few with chances but I think I Am Maximus has the best chance; he’s proven.”
Broadcaster Matt Chapman also backed I Am Maximus. He said: “So impressive 12 months ago, I just think he can do it again, even though he’s been hopeless in all his runs since.”
Analyst Kevin Blake shared that his pick to win was Minella Cocooner, echoing Walsh’s enthusiasm. “I think he has a perfect profile for the race,” he said. “He’s been training for it all season, shaped beautifully last time. Minella Cocooner, Willy Mullins, Johnny Burke, get the job done.”
Meanwhile, Mirror Sport’s chief racing correspondent David Yates, wrote: “The key to National glory is timing – the knack of reaching your peak when it matters most. And the eight-year-old Perceval Legallois – the name comes from a French film about the Knights of the Round Table – travels to Aintree with the perfect profile.
“Although he won just one of his four starts as a novice chaser last season – he fell twice – Perceval Legallois is putting it together now.”
“His British Horseracing Authority rating of 153 means Perceval Legallois carries 11st 12lb weight – a manageable weight.
“His jumping issues appear a thing of the past – it’s worth pointing out the famous fences are not the formidable obstacles of yesteryear – and it’s not hard to share Cromwell’s view that, while he’s unraced at beyond three miles, the gelding is likely to last home over the National’s four-mile, two-furlong and 74-yard distance.”
The odds for McCoy’s picks are I Am Maximus at 6-1, Stumptown at 8-1, Grangeclare West at 25-1 and Intense Raffles at 12/1. Walsh’s choices come in with Minella Cocooner at 12-1, Perceval Legallois at 12-1, while you can get Fil Dor at 50/1 at the time of writing.
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