Trainers have their say on Grand National weights

Following the publication of the weights for the 2026 Randox Grand National, a selection of leading trainers give their reaction:

Banbridge (Joseph O’Brien) 11st 11lb

“I think it’s reasonable to assume that Banbridge would be carrying one of the top-weights in the race if he ran there. We figured he’d be up there.

“He’s come out of Kempton very well and he’ll remain with his two options at Cheltenham (Gold Cup and Ryanair) and with three options at Aintree (Grand National, Bowl and Melling Chase). We’ll keep everything on the table until we have to make the decision, I’d say.”

Monty’s Star (Henry de Bromhead) 11st 3lb

“I can’t understand how he went up 2lb, but there you go. He ran well to a point last time and he’s come out of it well. He seems good but we haven’t decided our plans just yet.

“We said we’d see what his mark was like and decide after that. I would imagine he would do one or the other (Cheltenham or Aintree) – I wouldn’t think he’d do both. The top-weight (I Am Maximus) is likely to run, you’d think, so that would give Monty’s a nice racing weight.”

Flooring Porter (Gavin Cromwell) 11st 1lb

“Yes, that’s the plan. I was happy enough with his Cheltenham run. He jumped well – he just got a little bit tired, but he’s entitled to do that. He might go to the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham before Aintree.”

Mr Vango (Sara Bradstock) 10st 12lb

“Well there we go – that’s what we’ve been wanting. It’s a nice racing weight, he’ll think he’s loose compared to what he’s had to carry so far this year!

“You know what the proviso is, we’ve got to get enough rain, but otherwise we’re obviously very much looking forward to what he’s good at, which is jumping and stamina. We wouldn’t run him on good ground – it would have to be good to soft as his feet wouldn’t do that.

“We were fantastically disappointed not to get in last year. At least we’re in this year and he’s a great big horse to carry weight, so I mustn’t complain and we’re delighted to get a chance if the ground comes.”

Grand National 2025 - Aintree Racecourse - Opening Day — Credit: The Guide Liverpool

Resplendent Grey (Olly Murphy) 10st 11lb

“It’s a nice weight. When he’s good he’s very good. He will go to Cheltenham in the meantime and we’ll see how we get on there and then make a plan re Aintree.

“Whether he’s a horse for a year down the line or for this year I’m not quite sure yet – I’ll have to speak to his owner. But he’s a high-class horse on his day and obviously stays very well.”

Gorgeous Tom (Henry de Bromhead) 10st 9lb

“That seems fair. It pretty much gets him in and it seems a fair mark for him. He ran well in the Coral Gold Cup (when fourth) and we said he’d head for the National after that.

Jordans (Joseph O’Brien) 10st 8lb

“He looks like he might sneak in off a nice weight. He kind of has a profile of what the race seems to be trending towards in recent years, with a slightly younger horse.

“We know that he handles Aintree and he’ll probably run in the Bobbyjo Chase (at Fairyhouse, February 21). If he runs well there it would be likely that he would go to the National.

“The horses seem to be trending towards being a little bit younger in the race so that would give you a reason to be hopeful that he’d be able to overcome that.”

Pied Piper (Gordon Elliott) 10st 3lb

“Pied Piper – if he snuck in at the bottom he’d be interesting. He’s been running well in those good handicap chases and we’d be looking forward to him.”

Amirite (Henry de Bromhead) 10st 2lb

“He would have a nice racing weight if he gets in. He won the Midlands National (at Kilbeggan) really well during the summer and he’d probably prefer a bit of better ground, but he’s in great form and that’s where we’re aiming for. It’s a big plus that he takes to the fences, he really enjoyed it in the Topham last year.”