Ruby Walsh Grand National Tip: Two-Time Winner Makes Expert Picks For 2025

Have a look at two-time Grand National-winning jockey Ruby Walsh’s expert picks for Saturday’s £1 million feature race at Aintree.

You can also see all our key 2025 Grand National trends here to help put history on your side.

Ruby Walsh Grand National Tip

It’s fair to say Ruby Walsh knows a thing or two about what it takes to win the Aintree Grand National.

Walsh won the race for the first time in 2000 aboard 10/1 shot Papillon, trained by his father Ted.

Five years later, he provided Willie Mullins with his first Grand National triumph when Hedgehunter stormed to victory at 7/1.

Regarded as one of the greatest riders of all-time, Walsh turned his attention to punditry post-retirement and can be seen on television screens every week for the likes of ITV, Racing TV and RTE.

The 11-time Cheltenham Festival top jockey has highlighted four horses to look out for in this afternoon’s Grand National.

His main selection is Perceval Legallois (10/1) trained by Gavin Cromwell and saddled by Mark Walsh for owner JP McManus.

The eight-year-old was last seen winning a 3m listed handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival in February, preserving his mark over fences after success in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Perceval Legalliois will carry 10st 12lbs in the race off a mark of 153 and his trainer Cromwell knows how to train a horse for the race after Vanillier’s runer-up finish in 2023.

A classy type with bags of stamina, there’s no reason to suggest why the National isn’t the ideal race for him. He’s coming in off back-to-back wins and at his age, is entering his prime as a staying chaser.

WATCH: Perceval Legallois Finally Lands A Big Pot In The Paddy Power Chase

“THERE IS A BIG CHASE IN HIM!” 🏆

Perceval Legallois finally gets his day in the sun in the Listed @paddypower Chase under Mark Walsh for @gavincromwell1 and JP McManus 🟢🟡 pic.twitter.com/ZPpDsB7oKb

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 27, 2024

Walsh is also keen on the chances of Gordon Elliott’s Fil Dor (50/1) who hit the headlines when purchased by Robcour for a mega €620,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland sale last February.

He’s failed to live up to the hype surrounding his price tag but for one of the sport’s most powerful owners to pay that type of money, they must see something in him and Elliot is on record saying he thinks Fil Dor will run a cracker.

The seven-year-old has won just one race for his new owners, coming in a match at Thurles last November when less than impressive at odds of 1/40.

WATCH: Gordon Elliott On His Grand National Hopes For 2025

“Fil Dor I think could be interesting.”

Grand National success launched the career of @gelliott_racing in 2007, the first of three wins for the trainer in the great race.

Interesting words on some of his main players this year here, speaking to @Niallhannity in Liverpool pic.twitter.com/4JYvoDNrwq

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 11, 2025

Walsh is still involved at Mullins’ yard where he rides out and lends a hand, so his judgement on Closutton runners is probably worth listening to.

He gave a shoutout to last year’s winner I Am Maximus (13/2), who won by seven-and-a-half lengths last year and bids to defy top weight 11st 12lbs in 2025.

The nine-year-old won with plenty in hand last year and is 8lbs higher in the ratings this time around – also being the pick of stable jockey Paul Townend.

I Am Maximus is bidding to emulate Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) and Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977) as the only horses to win multiple Grand Nationals in the modern era.

WATCH: I Am Maximus Wins The 2024 Grand National

The last of Walsh’s fancies is another Mullins runner Minella Cocooner (14/1) who Jonathan Burke picks up the ride on after Danny Mullins opted to ride Meetingofthewaters.

Minella Cocooner is another entering the prime of his career as a staying chaser at the age of nine, posting good performances in the bet365 Gold Cup last year and the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February.

He also holds good experience in a National style race after picking up a bronze medal in the 2024 Irish Grand National where he conceded 8lbs to winner Intense Raffles.

He will enjoy the ground and is a talented jumper and stayer who has been racing in prestige events like the John Durkan and Savills Chase as preparation for a tilt at the National.

Carrying 11st 2lbs, he doesn’t look the best handicapped horse in the field but surely holds strong claims.

WATCH: Minella Cocooner Wins The Bet365 Gold Cup At Sandown