Will There Be Any Grand National Reserve Runners In 2025?

Just two years after a significant rule change to the Grand National, bosses have done a complete U-turn ahead of the 2025 renewal – regarding the reserve runners in the race.

Will There Be Any Grand National Reserve Runners In 2025?

Yes, there will be Grand National reserve runners in 2025.

The Aintree Grand National, hailed as one of the world’s most famous horse races, takes place this Saturday, April 5.

Before the race in 2023, it was announced the reserve system would be discontinued.

Having first been introduced in 2000, the system allowed up to four runners to be allocated reserve spots at the declaration stage to take the places of any non-runners by 1pm the day before the race.

What led to complications was the reserves would take the number in the racecard of the original starter, which led to reserves (the lowest-rated horses in the race) appearing further up the handicap in the racecard.

Some horses were inheriting a single-digit number previously held by a runner who was set to carry one of the top weights in the race – but they were running off one of, if not the lowest mark.

This made the production of racecards and return of results very difficult for outlets like the BHA, international media rights holders and bookmakers, so action was taken to scrap the system altogether.

The technology used at the time reportedly couldn’t handle horses numbered higher than 40.

Field Size Reduction Means Grand National Reserves Can Return In 2025

However, now the Grand National has been reduced from a maximum of 40 runners to 34 – a change introduced in 2024 – that problem is no longer in the frame as the 40 mark will never be exceeded.

The four reserves will now run as numbers 35-38 and appear at the bottom of the card regardless.

Reserves can still only take the places of horses withdrawn by 1pm on Friday, so last year’s field wouldn’t have been any different as both Chambard and Run Wild Fred were taken out on Saturday morning.

Why Was The Grand National Field Size Reduced?

According to Aintree’s clerk of the course, their research and analysis revealed a direct correlation between the number of runners and the risk of a horse falling, unseating its rider or being brought down.

Therefore, Grand National runners were reduced from a maximum of 40 to 34 in order to make the race safer for everyone and preserve the £1 million showpiece.

In 2025, there is almost a three-way tie with the best horse racing betting sites for favouritism between Stumptown, Iroko and Intense Raffles.

Who Are The Current Reserves For The 2025 Grand National?

There are two reserves at this stage for the 2025 Grand National.

One is Ben Pauling’s Shakem Up’arry, currently number 35. The Harry Redknapp-owned 11-year-old notably won the Plate at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and was last seen finishing 14th in that race in March.

The other is Roi Mage, number 36. Patrick Griffin’s 13-year-old. He finished ninth in the Grand National last year and seventh in 2023.

If there are any runners pulled out by 1pm on Friday, Shakem Up’arry gets first preference to step in ahead of Roi Mage.

WATCH: I Am Maximus Wins 2024 Grand National