Grand National Trial tips and runner-by-runner guide to Punchestown 2.25 on Thursday
Gordon Elliott fires five darts in his bid to win the Grand National Trial at Punchestown for the fourth year in a row.
Where It All Began attempts to retain the crown after a demolition job in last season’s edition, but the gelding has been badly out of form in his two outings this term and remains 8lbs above his previous winning mark.
The booking of Sam Ewing suggests Will Do, who was fifth in the Paddy Power Chase and sixth in last month’s Thyestes, is the stable’s leading hope, however.
Gavin Cromwell has enjoyed plenty of success in lucrative handicaps and fields top weight and Thyestes second Velvet Elvis as well as Ask Anything.
Willie Mullins, meanwhile, saddles last year’s Scottish Grand National winner Macdermott among his three runners.
The latest Grand National Trial odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Grand National Trial 2025 verdict
Timeform: VELVET ELVIS was reinvigorated by the return to chasing and the addition of cheekpieces when running the race of his life to finish second in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran last month and can go one better with the headgear again sported. Cork scorer Kings Halo is next on the list, with course winner Favori de Champdou and in-form Will Do also in the mix. St Denis’s Well completes the shortlist.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Grand National Trial 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Grand National Trial 2025.
Velvet Elvis
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 9 Weight: 11st 12lbs
22/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, very good second of 18 in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, soft) 24 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Shortlist material.
*****
Favori De Champdou
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Mr J. H. Williamson Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Course winner. Six wins from 17 NH runs. Creditable third of 18 in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, soft, 16/1) 24 days ago. Player.
****
Macdermott
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 7 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Unseated rider in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, soft, 28/1) 24 days ago.
**
Spanish Harlem
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 7 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Eleven runs since last win in 2022. 16/1, bit below form seventh of 18 in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, soft) 24 days ago.
**
Ask Anything
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: C. Stone-Walsh Age: 7 Weight: 10st 12lbs
7/1, creditable fourth of 16 in handicap hurdle at this course (20.6f, heavy) 35 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Significantly back up in trip. Others more persuasive.
***
Macs Charm
Trainer: Colm A. Murphy Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 10 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Bit below form eighth of 18 in handicap chase (22/1) at Gowran (25f, soft) 24 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time.
***
Sphagnum
Trainer: J. P. Broderick Jockey: D. P. Maxwell Age: 8 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Latest win in chase at Cork in November. Pulled up in handicap chase (12/1) at Fairyhouse (29.7f, good) 77 days ago, labouring from early final circuit.
**
Where It All Began
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Gainford Age: 9 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Latest win in chase at Cork in November. Pulled up in handicap chase (12/1) at Fairyhouse (29.7f, good) 81 days ago. Took this 12 months ago though so could bounce back.
**
Cleatus Poolaw
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: D. J. Gilligan Age: 7 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Useful winner at 19f over hurdles. 28/1, below form seventh of 14 in novice chase at Gowran (20f, soft) 24 days ago. Significantly up in trip.
***
Bushman’s Pass
Trainer: Oliver McKiernan Jockey: Phillip Enright Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Respectable fifth of 18 in handicap chase (22/1) at Gowran (25f, soft) 24 days ago.
**
Klarc Kent
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 9 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Eleven runs since last win in 2022. 40/1, ninth of 18 in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, soft) 24 days ago.
**
Will Do
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs
13/2, not seen to best effect when sixth of 18 in handicap chase at Gowran (25f, soft) 24 days ago. Not taken lightly.
***
Stormy Judge
Trainer: P. A. Fahy Jockey: H. E. Sexton Age: 10 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. 16/1, unseated rider in handicap chase at Limerick (19.4f, soft) 50 days ago. Significantly back up in trip.
***
Kings Halo
Trainer: James Daniel Dullea Jockey: Richard Deegan Age: 10 Weight: 10st 3lbs
1 win from 3 runs this season. Improved to win 9-runner handicap chase at Cork (20f, soft, 14/1) 30 days ago, keeping on well. Significantly up in trip. Looks competitive on form.
****
St Denis’s Well
Trainer: Ian Patrick Donoghue Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Latest win in hurdle at Down Royal in December. Unseated rider in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft, 9/1) 49 days ago.
***
Fortunedefortunata
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. Coen Age: 8 Weight: 10st 0lbs
Bit below form eleventh of 25 in handicap hurdle (40/1) at Leopardstown (24.1f, good to soft) 15 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Makes handicap chase debut. Plenty to find on form.
**
Beau Walking
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Patrick Michael O’Brien Age: 7 Weight: 10st 0lbs
125/1, eleventh of 14 in novice chase at Gowran (20f, soft) 28 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Tongue strap back on. Makes handicap chase debut. Easy to look elsewhere.
**
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