{"id":43361,"date":"2025-04-04T10:02:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T10:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=43361"},"modified":"2025-04-04T15:17:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T15:17:40","slug":"willie-mullins-2025-grand-national-runners-aintree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/willie-mullins-2025-grand-national-runners-aintree\/","title":{"rendered":"Bookies Cautious Of Willie Mullins Grand National Runner, And It’s NOT I Am Maximus"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

You can see the full 2025 Grand National runners guide<\/a> and Andy Newton’s 5-star ratings here.<\/p>\n

Meetingofthewaters – “My Eye Was Drawn To Him When I Saw His Weight”<\/em>, Said Willie Mullins<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When the Grand National weights came out back in February, Willie Mullins<\/strong> revealed that his eye was drawn to MEETINGOFTHEWATERS<\/strong> – who gets into the 2025 renewal with just 10st 7lbs to carry.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Mullins added\u00a0“Last year he was looking almost like the winner coming to the second-last. He was certainly going well within himself. <\/em><\/p>\n

“He\u2019s a year older and stronger and he has a lovely racing weight.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Meetingofthewaters Was Is 7lbs Better Off With I Am Maximus This Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Meetingofthewaters carried 10st 8lbs last year but is set to carry a pound less (10st 7lbs) in 2025.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Meetingofthewaters Career Profile<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • <\/i> Trainer: Willie Mullins<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Owner: JP McManus<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Age: 8<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Weight: 10st 7lbs<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Career Runs: 22 (4 wins)<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Chase Runs: 9 (2 wins)<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> Career Prize Money: \u00a3156,531<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/div>\n

    How Many Times Has Willie Mullins Won The Grand National?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Slightly surprising is that top Irish trainer Willie Mullins<\/strong> has only won the Grand National twice.<\/p>\n

    Of course, most handlers would bite his arm off to have two National winners to their name.<\/p>\n

    However, this is Willie Mullins we are talking about, who has 113 total Cheltenham Festival winners.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    The first Willie Mullins Grand National win came back in 2005 with the Trevor Hemmings-owned Hedgehunter<\/strong> and he had to wait 18 years for his next. Which came only last year with I Am Maximus<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Strangely, both the Willie Mullins National winners returned 7\/1 and favourites too.<\/p>\n

    Willie Mullins Grand National Winners<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    <\/p>\n
      \n
    • <\/i> 2005 – Hedgehunter (7\/1 fav)<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 2024 – I Am Maximus (7\/1 jfav)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      <\/div>\n

      WATCH: I Am Maximus Winning The 2024 Grand National<\/strong><\/h3>\n