Grand National Lucky Dip

Iroko is another of the JP McManus battalion that is well-fancied for the 2025 Grand National. A winner at the Cheltenham Festival two seasons ago over hurdles, Iroko has improved even further over fences despite only winning one of his races over the bigger obstacles so far. The Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero trained gelding ran his best race over fences when finishing second to Inothewayurthinkin in the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree. The seven-year-old will be eight pounds better off in the National with that rival for a four-length defeat so his chance looks an obvious one. Things haven’t really gone to plan for Iroko this season, which began with a half-length by Trelawne in a Graduation Chase at Haydock and then a first fence fall at Ascot in December. His third run this season came in a Premier Handicap at Cheltenham in January when finishing five lengths fourth to winner Moon D’Orange. That run was investigated by the stewards that day who wanted an explanation into the gelding’s running and riding. Jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr explained to the stewards that he was under instructions to try and Iroko jumping soundly after his fall in his last race. The jockey lost his iron during the race and got into a difficult position as a result. The stewards accepted the explanation but the upshot of the race was that Iroko did not receive a hike in the handicap before the Grand National weights were announced. The Grand National is much less of a jumping test these days but the amount of errors in Iroko’s recent races must still be a considerable concern for his chances.