Grand National 2025: Stumptown Aiming To Emulate Tiger Roll

The dream is on for the Furze Bush Syndicate, as Stumptown will be aiming to emulate the feat previously accomplished by Tiger Roll and land the Grand National after winning the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old has been reinvigorated since tackling the new discipline, winning twice at Cheltenham this season, with the latest coming by a seven-length margin from Latenightpass at the Festival.

Connections have refused to rule out a historic win at Aintree, stating that the Gavin Cromwell-trained runner ‘'keeps surprising us'.

Recent history suggests that the Cross Country is a notable prep for the showpiece event on Aintree’s calendar, with Cause Of Causes nearly landing the double in 2017 before finishing second to One For Arthur in the National.

However, it has been a solid prep for Gordon Elliott's stable stars in recent history, with Tiger Roll lining up in the Cross Country before winning the Nationals in 2018 and 2019.

Delta Work and Galvin have also used the Cheltenham race as a prep for the National, with the former winning the race in 2022, before finishing third behind Noble Yeats at Aintree.

Cromwell has been one of the standout trainers in Ireland throughout this season, and he will travel to Aintree with leading hopes for a first win in the National.

Vanillier was an eye-catcher in the Cross Country in March, eventually finishing third, despite almost going the wrong way. The ten-year-old has previous experience over the National fences, finishing 14th in the race last year.

Inothewayurthinkin had been the early favourite for the race, but he has been taken out following a memorable success in the Gold Cup. Limerick Lace has also been taken out of contention.

Perceval Legallois and Velvet Elvis remain in contention. The former could be going under the radar after impressing over three miles throughout this season. The eight-year-old was last seen winning a big purse in a 25-runner handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Preparations ahead of the 2025 Grand National are being stepped up at Aintree, as it has been revealed in the Racing Post that the course has started watering ahead of the meeting at the start of April.

Water has been applied to the Mildmay and National courses, with warmer temperatures set for the Merseyside course before rain is due over the weekend.

Speaking to the Racing Post, temporary clerk of the course, Jon Pullin said: “We've had the dry spell here as well and that's been going on for the last couple of weeks. Irrigation has commenced on both tracks just to retain the moisture and stop it drying out too much.”

Drying ground conditions have already impacted racing this week. A race at Haydock was postponed after two runners were taken out, citing unsuitable ground.