After firing in another ten winners at the recent Cheltenham Festival, a lot of focus ahead of the Grand National will be on trainer Willie Mullins – who is set to send SIX runners to post for the Aintree showcase race on Saturday.
One of those Willie Mullins Grand National runners is last year’s winner I Am Maximus, but the Closutton handler has also gone on record saying he likes another of his entries, that is also owned by JP McManus.
You can see the full 2025 Grand National runners guide and Andy Newton’s 5-star ratings here.
Meetingofthewaters – “My Eye Was Drawn To Him When I Saw His Weight”, Said Willie Mullins
When the Grand National weights came out back in February, Willie Mullins revealed that his eye was drawn to MEETINGOFTHEWATERS – who gets into the 2025 renewal with just 10st 7lbs to carry.
With six of the last eight National winners having 10st 13lbs or less on their backs – then he also ticks one of the key Grand National trends.
Meetingofthewaters is a name the once-a-year punters with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK might remember from last year – as he finished a respectable 7th in the race in 2024.
He was also only aged 7 years-old 12 months ago and with just two winners of that age since 1940, he’s now expected to use that experience to get much closer in 2025.
Mullins added “Last year he was looking almost like the winner coming to the second-last. He was certainly going well within himself.
“He’s a year older and stronger and he has a lovely racing weight.”
Meetingofthewaters Was Is 7lbs Better Off With I Am Maximus This Time
The final result 12 months ago saw him finish just 16-lengths behind his stablemate I Am Maximus – but this time will be another year older and wiser. Plus will also be 7lbs better off at the weight with last year’s winner.
Meetingofthewaters carried 10st 8lbs last year but is set to carry a pound less (10st 7lbs) in 2025.
You can watch the full 2025 race below – but you will see that Meetingofthewaters was disputing the lead at the last. Only to fade over the final few furlongs.
Since that run he’s raced just three times this season (once over hurdles) – in a bid, you feel, to protect his handicap mark for another tilt at the big Grand National prize money.
With Meetingofthewaters also now aged 8, he’ll also be the best age of Grand National winners in the last 10 runnings – with five of the last 9 going to this age group.
Meetingofthewaters is currently around 20/1 with the best betting sites in the UK. But that price could vanish without trace – especially if jockey Mark Walsh picks to ride him.
Meetingofthewaters Career Profile
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Owner: JP McManus
- Age: 8
- Weight: 10st 7lbs
- Career Runs: 22 (4 wins)
- Chase Runs: 9 (2 wins)
- Career Prize Money: £156,531
How Many Times Has Willie Mullins Won The Grand National?
Slightly surprising is that top Irish trainer Willie Mullins has only won the Grand National twice.
Of course, most handlers would bite his arm off to have two National winners to their name.
However, this is Willie Mullins we are talking about, who has 113 total Cheltenham Festival winners.
In fact, the overall Willie Mullins Grand National record isn’t one to shout about – with only eight placed horses (2 wins) from his 61 runners in the race ever.
The first Willie Mullins Grand National win came back in 2005 with the Trevor Hemmings-owned Hedgehunter and he had to wait 18 years for his next. Which came only last year with I Am Maximus.
Strangely, both the Willie Mullins National winners returned 7/1 and favourites too.
Willie Mullins Grand National Winners
- 2005 – Hedgehunter (7/1 fav)
- 2024 – I Am Maximus (7/1 jfav)
WATCH: I Am Maximus Winning The 2024 Grand National
Willie Mullins Grand National Runners 2025
See below the expected SIX Willie Mullins Grand National runners for 2025.
Which include last year’s winner I Am Maximus and former Cheltenham Festival winner Appreciate It.
- I Am Maximus – Last year’s winner and returns on a 8lb higher rating. With 6lbs more racing weight to carry.
- Nick Rockett – Stays all day and heads here in fine form after wins in the Bobbyjo Chase and Thyestes Chase.
- Grangeclare West – Classy on his day and ran second to Galopin Des Champs in this season’s Irish Gold Cup.
- Appreciate It – Now aged 11 and former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner. But staying the trip is the unknown.
- Minella Cocooner – Likes this time of year. Having run well in the Irish National last season and winning the bet365 Gold Cup
- Meetingofthewaters – 7th last year and returns on a pound lower mark and a year older.
