In an unexpected turn of events following his historic victory at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Inothewayurthinkin will not be participating in the upcoming £1 million Grand National race scheduled for April 5, 2025. The news comes after a performance at Cheltenham that saw him triumph against the two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, greatly raising hopes for his potential at Aintree.
On March 18, 2025, trainer Gavin Cromwell announced that Inothewayurthinkin had been ruled out of the Grand National, much to the disappointment of fans who were eagerly anticipating his run. His odds had been slashed to 3-1, making him the favourite to win and potentially the shortest-priced favourite in Grand National history.
Cromwell had hinted that he needed some time to assess the horse’s condition and decide on the best plan moving forward. “He’s only a seven-year-old and we’ve worked hard on his jumping this season and his jumping has improved an awful lot. We think it’s the right thing to do. It’s all about doing the right thing for the horse,” Cromwell stated, emphasizing the decision stems from a commitment to Inothewayurthinkin's long-term wellbeing.
Before the thrilling win at Cheltenham, Inothewayurthinkin had faced Galopin Des Champs twice, suffering defeats in earlier prep races leading up to the Gold Cup. However, Cromwell made a last-minute decision to enter him into the Gold Cup field, which came with a £25,000 supplementary entry fee. This gamble clearly paid off, as Inothewayurthinkin managed to hunt down, and eventually best, Galopin Des Champs, taking control and winning by a decisive six lengths.
In light of his absence from the Grand National, Cromwell indicated that Inothewayurthinkin’s season may not be over just yet. “Punchestown is an option, but it’s certainly not for definite,” the trainer added, noting that the horse had come out of the Gold Cup in fine form.
It’s important to note that Inothewayurthinkin is not alone in being scratched from the Grand National. Alongside him, a number of other notable horses including Envoi Allen, Gentlemansgame, Monty’s Star, The Real Whacker, Galvin, Trelawne, Limerick Lace, and Pinkerton have also been ruled out. Despite this, JP McManus, the owner, still boasts a strong lineup with last year’s winner I Am Maximus and Iroko set to compete in the race.
For Gavin Cromwell, the Grand National will still see strong representation through his other entries, including Stumptown and the third-place finisher Vanillier from the Cross-Country Chase. With the excitement building for the race at Aintree, the anticipation remains high for the outcome of these races, especially with several key competitors still in the mix.
As racing fans eagerly look toward Aintree, the focus may shift towards Inothewayurthinkin’s next potential outing. Should he target the Punchestown Gold Cup later this season, expectations will undoubtedly soar following his impressive Cheltenham Gold Cup performance. While the Grand National will miss its coveted favorite, the door remains open for more thrilling contests ahead.
