I Am Maximus has been handed the top weight for the Grand National, as the weights were announced at a lavish lunch ceremony at St George’s Hall, Liverpool.
The 9 year-old justified favouritism in 2024 to secure Willie Mullins’ first Grand National victory since way back in 2005 and he’ll have to carry an additional six pounds if he is to repeat the feat on 5th April.
If I Am Maximus does win, he’d become the first horse to win the race in successive years since Tiger Roll did so in 2018 and 2019. He’d also become the first horse to win with a weight that heavy since the legendary Red Rum carried 12 stones in 1974. But Mullins is unflustered by the challenge, and has already set his long-term sights on replicating Red Rum’s hat-trick of victories.
Speaking late last year, Mullins said, “We’re going to have to take whatever the handicapper gives us, but when you look at what he did in the last half-mile last year, you’d be hoping he’ll be able to rise to it. Red Rum won three and Tiger Roll won two and I think JP would be keen to have a horse that can do that – win two and maybe go on for a third one. If you don’t try you don’t succeed, so that’s our plan.”
And it’s clear that betting sites aren’t put off by the announcement either, with I Am Maximus the 12/1 second favourite to come home first again.
Away from I Am Maximus, 86 additional horses have also been given the weights they’ll carry, with Royale Pagaille the next heaviest. Inothewayurthinkin went into the Grand National weights announcement as joint favourite and will be asked to carry 11 stones 5 pounds on his Grand National debut.
Yet it’s Meetingofthewaters – seventh in 2024 – who is one of the biggest movers, 50/1 before the announcement but shortening to as little as 25/1 after Mullins stated, “Meetingofthewaters has a lovely weight. Last year he was looking like a winner. He’s going to be a year older and a year stronger this year. When I looked at the racing weight he was the one who caught my eye.”
The handicapper appears to have been particularly generous, giving him just 10 stones 7 pounds. Meetingofthewaters is down at 43rd on the entry list, but should have little trouble making the final 34 runners once other horses are gradually withdrawn.
Full 2025 Grand National weights
| Grand National horses | Grand National weights | 2025 Grand National odds |
|---|---|---|
| I Am Maximus | 11st 12lbs | 12/1 |
| Royal Pagaille | 11st 9lbs | 66/1 |
| Envoi Allen | 11st 8lbs | 66/1 |
| Grangeclare West | 11st 8lbs | 33/1 |
| L’Homme Presse | 11st 8lbs | 50/1 |
| Nick Rockett | 11st 8lbs | 16/1 |
| Hewick | 11st 7lbs | 66/1 |
| Gentlemansgame | 11st 5lbs | 66/1 |
| Inothewayurthinkin | 11st 5lbs | 10/1 |
| Monty’s Star | 11st 5lbs | 33/1 |
| The Real Whacker | 11st 4lbs | 66/1 |
| Minella Indo | 11st 3lbs | 66/1 |
| Appreciate It | 11st 2lbs | 66/1 |
| Capodanno | 11st 2lbs | 66/1 |
| Conflated | 11st 2lbs | 100/1 |
| Delta Work | 11st 2lbs | 50/1 |
| Minella Cocooner | 11st 2lbs | 20/1 |
| Stumptown | 11st 2lbs | 20/1 |
| Beauport | 11st 1lb | 33/1 |
| Hitman | 11st 1lb | 100/1 |
| Bravemansgame | 11st | 40/1 |
| Chantry House | 10st 13lbs | 66/1 |
| Galvin | 10st 13lbs | 33/1 |
| Perceval Legallois | 10st 12lbs | 25/1 |
| Threeunderthrufive | 10st 12lbs | 100/1 |
| Fakir d’Oudairies | 10st 11lbs | 66/1 |
| Iroko | 10st 11lbs | 12/1 |
| Kandoo Kid | 10st 11lbs | 25/1 |
| Trelawne | 10st 11lbs | 100/1 |
| Idas Boy | 10st 10lbs | 100/1 |
| Intense Raffles | 10st 10lbs | 16/1 |
| Limerick Lace | 10st 10lbs | 66/1 |
| Senior Chief | 10st 7lbs | 66/1 |
| Broadway Boy | 10st 9lbs | 66/1 |
| Coko Beach | 10st 9lbs | 100/1 |
| Farouk d’Alene | 10st 9lbs | 100/1 |
| Fil Dor | 10st 9lbs | 100/1 |
| French Dynamite | 10st 9lbs | 100/1 |
| Mr Incredible | 10st 9lbs | 150/1 |
| Stay Away Fay | 10st 9lbs | 66/1 |
| Zanahiyr | 10st 9lbs | 66/1 |
| Pinkerton | 10st 8lbs | 66/1 |
| Meetingofthewaters | 10st 7lbs | 33/1 |
| Minella Drama | 10st 7lbs | 100/1 |
| Velvet Elvis | 10st 7lbs | 50/1 |
| Celebre d’Allen | 10st 6lbs | 150/1 |
| Fontaine Collonges | 10st 6lbs | 66/1 |
| Horantzau d’Airy | 10st 6lbs | 66/1 |
| Hyland | 10st 6lbs | 50/1 |
| Monbeg Genius | 10st 6lbs | 33/1 |
| Vanillier | 10st 6lbs | 33/1 |
| Minella Crooner | 10st 5lbs | 20/1 |
| Quick Wave | 10st 5lbs | 100/1 |
| Three Card Brag | 10st 5lbs | 33/1 |
| Twig | 10st 5lbs | 100/1 |
| Duffle Coat | 10st 4lbs | 100/1 |
| Roi Mage | 10st 4lbs | 150/1 |
| Shakem Up’arry | 10st 4lbs | 100/1 |
| Fantastic Lady | 10st 3lbs | 100/1 |
| Favori de Champdou | 10st 3lbs | 66/1 |
| Yeah Man | 10st 3lbs | 50/1 |
| Chemical Energy | 10st 2lbs | 100/1 |
| Macdermott | 10st 2lbs | 66/1 |
| Mister Coffey | 10st 2lbs | 80/1 |
| Mr Vango | 10st 2lbs | 50/1 |
| Bronn | 10st 1lb | 100/1 |
| Desertmore House | 10st 1lb | 100/1 |
| Malina Girl | 10st 1lb | 100/1 |
| Richmond Lake | 10st 1lb | 100/1 |
| La Renommee | 10st | 125/1 |
| King Turgeon | 9st 13lbs | 66/1 |
| Stuzzikini | 9st 13lbs | 100/1 |
| Cruz Control | 9st 12lbs | 125/1 |
| Surrey Quest | 9st 12lbs | 80/1 |
| Apple Away | 9st 11lbs | 150/1 |
| Busselton | 9st 11lbs | 150/1 |
| Gevrey | 9st 11lbs | 150/1 |
| Spanish Harlem | 9st 11lbs | 150/1 |
| The Goffer | 9st 10lbs | 150/1 |
| Famous Bridge | 9st 9lbs | 100/1 |
| Copperhead | 9st 7lbs | 100/1 |
| Escaria Ten | 9st 7lbs | 200/1 |
| Where It All Began | 9st 7lbs | 100/1 |
| Git Maker | 9st 6lbs | 150/1 |
| Gericault Roque | 9st 4lbs | 50/1 |
| Pats Fancy | 9st 3lbs | 150/1 |
| Placenet | 9st 3lbs | 250/1 |
