As the Grand National hype continues to ramp up several notches, we look as which horses will be having their first run in the famous Aintree race – as 14 of the last 16 winners were making their debuts in the contest – meaning this could be the perfect way of trying to find the winner.
88% Of The Last 16 Grand National Winners Were Making Their Debuts In The Race
The term ‘horses for courses’ is used a lot in the world of horse racing and most of the time having previous experience of a track is a big plus.
However, if the recent Grand National trends are anything to go by – then having run in the big race before doesn’t really matter.
This is because a massive 14 of the last 16 Grand National winners since 2008 were making their debuts in the race – which equates to a 88% return.
Read on as we’ll list the Grand National 2025 runners that will be competing in the contest for the first time.
Only Tiger Roll and Mon Mome Since 2008 Had Run In The Grand National Before
Since 2008, only Tiger Roll, who won the Grand National in 2018 and 2019, and the 2009 shock 100/1 winner Mon Mome had previous experience of the race.
Tiger Roll had already won the race in 2018 and returned a year later to successfully defend his Aintree crown – becoming the first horse since Red Rum in the 70’s to win back-to-back Grand Nationals.
While in 2009 the race saw one of its biggest ever priced winners when the Venetia Williams-trained Mon Mome won at 100/1.
However, it wasn’t the first time the horse had run in the race – he was 10th in the previous year’s renewal in 2008.
Mon Mome was beaten 58 lengths behind Comply Or Die that year – but kicked that form into touch a year later to land the spoils rated 7lbs higher. With Comply Or Die this time 12 lengths back in second (watch below).
75% of the last 16 National winners had also NEVER run over these unique fences in ANY race before.
As there are some other races each season – like the Topham Chase, Foxhunters, Becher Chase and Grand Sefton Chase – that are also staged over the National course and fences.
Since 2008, in addition to Tiger Roll and Mon Mome, only One For Arthur (2017 winner) and Pineau De Re (2014 winner) had run over the fences in the past. Both ran in that season’s Becher Chase.
Meaning only FOUR of the last 16 National winners had run over the fences in the past – while 75% hadn’t.
This season’s Becher Chase 2024 was abandoned.
Who Are The 2025 Grand National Horses Having Their FIRST Run In The Race?
- Royale Pagaille
- Nick Rockett
- Grangeclare West
- Hewick
- Appreciate It
- Minella Cocooner
- Stumptown
- Conflated
- Hitman
- Beauport
- Bravemansgame
- Chantry House
- Threeunderthrufive
- Perceval Legallois
- Kandoo Kid
- Iroko
- Intense Raffles
- Senior Chief
- Idas Boy
- Fil Dor
- Broadway Boy
- Stay Away Fay
- Monbeg Genius
- Horantzau d’Airy
- Hyland
- Celebre d’Allen
- Three Card Brag
- Twig
Grand National Winners Since 2008 And Their Experience In The Race
| Year | Winner | First Run In National? | National Fences Experience? |
| 2024 | I Am Maximus | Yes | No |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | Yes | No |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | Yes | No |
| 2021 | Minella Times | Yes | No |
| 2020 | Cancelled (Covid) | – | – |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | No (Won 2018 Race) | Yes – Ran In 2018 National |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | Yes | No |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | Yes | Yes – 5th 2016 Becher Chase |
| 2016 | Rule The World | Yes | No |
| 2015 | Many Clouds | Yes | No |
| 2014 | Pineau De Re | Yes | Yes – Fell 2013 Becher Chase |
| 2013 | Auroras Encore | Yes | No |
| 2012 | Neptune Collonges | Yes | No |
| 2011 | Ballabriggs | Yes | No |
| 2010 | Don’t Push It | Yes | No |
| 2009 | Mon Mome | No (10th 2008 Race) | Yes – Ran In 2008 National |
| 2008 | Comply Or Die | Yes | No |
2025 Aintree Grand National Race Details
📅 Date: Saturday, April 5th 2025
⌚ Time: 4:00pm
🏇 Racecourse: Aintree
🔄 Trip: 4m 2 1/2f
💷 Winner: £500,000
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
See here the full 2025 Aintree Grand National Festival race schedule, running order and TV channels.
