Blue Grand National Horses

Beauport led last year's Grand National in the second-half of the race and appeared to be really enjoying himself at the head of affairs before overtaken at the third-last fence. His effort capitulated very quickly after that, which was somewhat surprising for a horse who had won the Midlands National over a similar distance. 

Trainers Nigel and Willie Twiston-Davies have been swapping his races between hurdles and fences over the last few seasons and he started this season with a very encouraging run over the larger obstacles when a close-up fourth over three-miles and three furlongs at Cheltenham in November. Two less inspiring efforts have come over hurdles since then so it's difficult to know what kind of form the ten-year-old gelding is in. 

If Beauport does turn up at Aintree he will run from a three pound lower mark than last year but even with that reduction it's hard to fancy him given how quickly he checked out last year but he has since had wind operation so perhaps an improved performance could be on the cards.

Mr Vango was one of the horses of last season winning the London National at Sandown, the Peter Marsh at Haydock and ending the season with another victory, this time in the Midlands National. 

The gelding’s connections were frustrated he wasn’t on a high enough rating to make the final field at Aintree but have focused this season on getting the ten-year-old into this year’s Grand National.

This season started well for Mr Vango when he showed his aptitude for the National fences when finishing a short-head runner-up to Twig in the Becher Chase in December but Grand National plans have gone awry for the horse since then. The Sara Bradstock trained chaser turned in a rare blip in his form figures when pulling up in a race at Sandown but connections were further frustrated when Mr Vango pulled up again next time out, this time in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. 

After two such disappointing performances, Mr Vango’s participation in the Grand National must be in some doubt, but if his trainer can get him back to the form of last year he would be a live player at Aintree.

French import Jordans has been something of a “talking horse” since transferring to Joseph O’Brien but the facts are that he has only won one race for O'Brien in ten attempts.

The seven-year-old gelding did run a fine race last season when runner-up to Caldwell Potter in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree but his four runs this season have been disappointing. He started this season with a couple of races over hurdles but then pulled up when seemingly well-fancied when returned to fences for the Thyestes at Gowran Park in January. He was again well backed when running over 2m 5f at Leopardstown in March but could only manage a well beaten eleventh place finish.

It could be he is the type of horse who finds his best form when we approach the end of the season and the sun is shining and if he could recreate the form of his race with Caldwell Potter he would have a chance from only a one pound higher mark.

One of the stars of the Joseph O'Brien yard, Banbridge has won three Grade One races, including the King George at Kempton, a race he very nearly won for the second time this year when just losing out by a nose to The Jukebox Man. 

It's something of a surprise to see Banbridge entered for the Grand National as his two attempts at distances further than three miles have resulted in two comprehensive defeats where it very much looked as if he didn't stay.

Given his stamina doubts he looks an unlikely winner of the Grand National.

Pied Piper's form over fences this season has been mixed with a string a fair efforts in decent contests through the autumn up to Christmas but has fallen on his last two starts.

He finished runner up in a Novice Chase over 3m1f at Cheltenham in October before a fair 5th of 19 in the Troytown Handicap (3miles) at Navan, a race quite often regarded as a Grand National pointer. He signed off 2025 with another fair effort finishing 9th of 28 in the Paddy Power Chase (3 miles) at Leopardstown.

He did win three times in Novice company in early 2025 so is capable but will need to rebuild confidence after those recent falls. Ground wise he is versatile having won on good to soft and heavy.