Willie Mullins has eyes on the Grand National with horse who “has a lovely weight”
Willie Mullins thinks Meetingofthewaters has a 'lovely weight' for the Grand National Photo: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
The annual Aintree Grand National handicap weights reveal took place this week with some of horse racing’s top personalities in attendance.
Willie Mullins has ten entries for the Aintree showpiece, including last year’s winner I Am Maximus, and this week’s handicap weights disclosure has given the boss of Closutton a clearer picture on his potential pecking order.
Meetingofthewaters, an impressive winner of the 2023 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, was sent off 11/1 for the contest last year before finishing seventh, and Mullins believes there is some unfinished business for the eight-year-old in Merseyside.
“I think Meetingofthewaters has a lovely weight,” he told Racing TV.
“He ran very well last year and I think my eye was drawn to him when I saw his weight. He’s one I like.”
Capodanno also ran in the race last year, though he crossed the line in a distant 16th. He’s likely to take his chance again, and his new rating is four pounds below last year’s mark.
The champion British jumps trainer said: “Capodanno was running a good race last year. The handicapper’s given him a chance and he jumps those fences no problem so I’m happy enough.” Although I Am Maximus won the 2024 renewal and has course form on his side, the nine-year-old was given an official rating of 167 on Tuesday afternoon, eight pounds higher than last year’s winning mark.
As much as Mullins is keen to run him again, he understands the tough task I Am Maximus is facing.
“It was huge to win it last year for the second time,” Sporting Life ambassador Mullins said. “I felt very spoiled winning a second Grand National. It’s top weight and it’s tough but we had an idea that it would be tough. He’ll probably run in the Bobbyjo and we’ll see how he is.
“He likes the track (Aintree). Sometimes when horses go back a second time they don’t like it and we’ve got all that to take into account. Horses go round it once and the second time it can be different, but he had a good experience last year and I’m hoping that it won’t be a problem.”
Grangeclare West, Appreciate It, Minella Cocooner, Nick Rockett, Macdermott, Spanish Harlem, and Horantzau d’Airy complete the list of entries for Team Closutton in the Grand National.
The latter is the third-lowest rated horse in Mullins’ team, though he could just sneak into the race if a few horses ahead of him come out of the contest.
On Horantzau D’Airy, Mullins added: “He has a lovely weight and loves jumping. If he gets in we’d like to take our chance on nicer ground with him.”
Grand National 2025 betting - via horse racing odds
Inothewayurthinkin 8/1
I Am Maximus 11/1
Iroko 12/1
Intense Raffles 14/1
Nick Rockett, Stumpton 16/1
Minella Coccooner 20/1
Perceval Legallois 22/1
25/1 bar
