Willie Mullins’ 12-1 pick his ‘best chance’ of winning the final Grand National of the season

WILLIE MULLINS’ 12-1 hotshot is his ‘best chance’ of winning the final Grand National of the season, according to his most trusted lieutenant.

David Casey does all of the entries for Mullins’ massive army of horses.

Willie Mullins has his eye on the prize in the Irish Grand National – with a 12-1 pick his best chance of success, according to his trusted assistantSportsfile

High Class Hero 🟥

Some of his jumping was a bit sticky but the warm favourite gets the job done in relatively straightforward fashion. @PTownend | @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/nyKWv19rJ1
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 20, 2025

Casey is waging a war on two fronts with a whole host of horses put in British races as part of the fight with Dan Skelton to win a second trainer’s title in a row.

While a whole host of big names will remain in Ireland for the upcoming Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals.

The Irish Grand National will be run at the former on Easter Monday – and is a stepping stone to Aintree glory.

I Am Maximus, who finished runner-up in the world’s most famous race earlier this month, won the Irish National before winning the Grand National in 2024.

And we could maybe see a similar path to superstardom plotted for High Class Hero.

Casey didn’t hesitate to nominate the promising novice as Mullins’ best chance of success in the Fairyhouse feature.

The 12-1 chance has form figures of 2-1-2 this season and looks to have been saved for the race.

Casey told Irish Grand National betting site BoyleSports: “The way the season has gone, a few of our biggest bullets will have been fired at Ayr and Aintree.

“So numerically we might not be as well stocked as we have been in other years. But we have a few nice horses going in there.

“The maximum we will have at the moment is maybe two or three.

“High Class Hero will definitely run, as will Sa Majeste. Quai de Bourbon could also despite falling at Aintree, but it may be better to wait another week for Sandown.

“High Class Hero and Sa Majeste will be the standouts.

“And I have to go with High Class Hero as our best chance.

Irish Grand National odds

Below are generally the best odds available

6-1 Haiti Couleurs
8-1 Now Is The Hour
10-1 Johnnywho, Captain Cody
12-1 Daily Present, High Class Hero, Better Days Ahead, Nick Rockett
16-1 Canal End, Kinturk Kalanisi, Malina Girl
20-1 bar

“The trip will not be an issue. We have had really dry weather but that won’t be an issue for him either.

“He is only a novice, but he has plenty of experience from point to pointing as well.

“He is a pretty good jumper. A lot of the top weights will come out, so he will carry a lot of weight.

“That could be a negative, but he’ll be the top one of ours.”