Willie Mullins' Grand National contenders Willie Mullins conquered Aintree with I Am Maximus last season, a result that helped catapult him to becoming champion trainer in Britain for the first time. It was his second Grand National win on Merseyside following the 2005 success with Hedgehunter and the Closutton powerhouse will be targeting the race again, his attack set to be spearheaded by the returning I Am Maximus. Get €30 in FREE BETS with bet365 Here's a look at some of Mullins' contenders for the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday April 5th. I Am Maximus The defending champion, his season has been geared towards this return to Aintree. He was rated 159 when he won 12 months ago and is 8lb higher in the eyes of the assessor after two spins in Grade 1 company this season, most recently when 17 lengths behind stablemate Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February. He carried 11st 6lb last season and powered home from the elbow to win well and will carry 6lb more this time off 11st 12lb, conceding upwards of 3lb to his 33 rivals, but he could still have plenty to offer. Grangeclare West This Cheveley Park Stud inmate chased home Galopin Des Champs in that Irish Gold Cup, beaten under five lengths, clear of I Am Maximus, but isn't the most reliable conveyance. He was a Grade 1-winning novice at Leopardstown in December 2023 and a drop back to 2m4½f at Navan on his most recent run was probably against him. The nine-year-old is on a career-high mark of 163, set to carry 11st 8lb in the National, but the son of Presenting is far from being exposed and will be interesting if his stamina holds out. Nick Rockett Victories in the Thyestes at Gowran Park and the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse since the New Year have marked Nick Rockett down as a real live contender for Aintree. He went off as favourite for the Irish National last season, but was well beaten in finishing seventh as a novice. Everything he has done this season in three runs would suggest he remains progressive and last year's bet365 Gold Cup third at Sandown hints that stamina is a key trait. Appreciate It The 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner at Cheltenham, Appreciate It has become something of a nearly horse over fences in recent seasons. He bagged a Grade 2 win at Thurles over 2m5f on good ground in January to end his winless streak and wasn't disgraced last season in the Punchestown Gold Cup. Stamina remains an unknown for this 11-year-old. Capodanno He was beaten 50 lengths as I Am Maximus won this contest a year ago and Capodanno could be set to try again from a 4lb lower mark now as one of a host of possible contenders for owner JP McManus. He hasn't come close to winning in three appearances this season, but he ran well in third behind Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse when last spotted. Minella Cocooner He won the bet365 Gold Cup over 3m4½f last season, with stablemate Nick Rockett behind in third spot despite getting 4lb. Stamina has always been a forte for this Closutton inmate and he was third in the Irish National last season too. He's faced some tough challenges in Grade 1 events this season before that Fairyhouse run and a mark of 157 is very interesting with this longer trip one that might see him thrive. Meetingofthewaters A decent stayer in handicaps over fences, Meetingofthewaters has been alternating between chasing and hurdling this season in his three runs without looking likely to score. He finished seventh as I Am Maximus won this race a year ago and will meet that same rival on 7lb better terms this year with just a 10st 7lb burden to shoulder. He's not exposed as a chaser and his runs this season could well have been building towards this race. Get €30 in FREE BETS with the bet365 sign up offer ahead of the Grand National 2025:
