Gavin Cromwell confirms Gold Cup-winning Inothewayurthinkin will miss Grand National

By Simon Wilkes

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will not run in the 2025 Grand National at Aintree, trainer Gavin Cromwell has confirmed.

The seven-year-old stunned the racing world by beating favourite Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham last week – but Cromwell has confirmed he will not be heading to Liverpool for the famous Aintree festival.

When is the 2025 Grand National?

The Randox Grand National Festival will take place from Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, April 5, 2025, with each day featuring a series of top-class races, culminating in the Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, April 5, at approximately 4pm UK time.

Cromwell admits it was a ‘great day’ for Inothewayurthinkin on Gold Cup day – but feels it is the right decision not to race him at Aintree.

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‘The right thing to do’

He told William Hill: “He’s only a seven-year-old, we’ve worked so hard on his jumping and it has improved all season, and we feel the right thing to do is not to run him in the Grand National.

“His jumping has come on so far and we just feel that running him at Aintree this year could be the wrong thing to do.

“We’re not going to make a final decision on what his plans are for the rest of the season just yet. 

“He does have the option of the Punchestown Gold Cup, which is something we’ll consider over the next few weeks depending on how he is at home, then we’ll make the decision in due course.

“Looking further down the line, we’ll just have to see how he progresses next season. 

“He’s a young horse on the up and we’ll be hoping that he can be competitive in all the top races next season.”

A great day

He added: “Winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin was obviously great and it’s still hard to put it into words really – it was a great day,” said Cromwell.

“He’s come out of the race really well and he’s absolutely fine.” 

Vanillier has a chance

Cromwell says Stumptown and Vanillier will race in Liverpool, however, saying: “Looking ahead to Aintree, the plan is definitely for both Stumptown and Vanillier to run in the Grand National after their performances in the Cross Country. 

“Vanillier needs a few to come out but hopefully he’ll get his chance.

“We’re hoping that Vanillier will be able to go, having finished second in the race a couple of years ago. 

“He’s off a nice weight and seems in good form. His last two runs have been really good so if he goes, I should think he’d have a live chance.”

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