Beauport – Can The Grand National Outsider End The Twiston-Davies Drought?

As the 2025 Grand National rapidly approaches, racing enthusiasts are scouring the field for that dark horse capable of springing a surprise at Aintree.

One such contender flying under the radar is Beauport, a nine-year-old gelding trained by the seasoned Nigel Twiston-Davies. With an impressive track record and a pedigree for stamina, Beauport might just be the horse to watch on April 5th.

Beauport's journey to Grand National contention has been nothing short of remarkable. Owned by Bryan and Philippa Burrough, this Irish-bred runner has steadily climbed the ranks of National Hunt racing, showcasing his talent and tenacity along the way.

This time last year, he had a rating of 140, which incidentally would have put him somewhere around 70 on the list after the weights were revealed. That basically means he would never have made the cut for 2025.

Instead, after just twelve months, he was ranked at 154, easily making the top 34, originally going in at number nineteen.

And, with odds of around 33/1 he is well worth an each-way consideration. So, if you’re looking to place a wager, now’s the time to explore all the free bets and offers available for the Grand National, as bookies are rolling out exclusive promotions ahead of the big race.

In case you need a little more persuading about Beauport’s merits as a genuine contender in 2025…read on.

Journey to the National

At the end of last season, he won the Midlands Grand National and went to Ayr for the Scottish National with high hopes. It was not to be, however, as he pulled up and went back home to the Twiston-Davies yard to rest up for the summer.

Returning for the 2024-2025 season proved to be a turning point for Beauport. In November 2024, he sent shockwaves through the racing world with a stunning 31-length victory in the Berkshire National at Ascot.

Run over a distance of 3m5½f, this is one of the few races that comes close to that of the Grand National, so his emphatic win not only demonstrated his exceptional stamina but also caught the attention of handicappers, who promptly raised his rating by 12lbs to 156.

Far from resting on his laurels, Beauport continued to impress. He headed back to Ascot the following month with a close third-place finish in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle, finishing just over a length behind the winner.

With the weights then revealed, connections were free to race him again without it affecting his mark, so off he went to Haydock on February 15th, where he claimed the runner-up spot in the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle, further cementing his credentials as a top-class stayer.

A Tailor-Made Grand National Contender

What makes Beauport such an intriguing prospect for the Grand National? For starters, he ticks many of the boxes that have historically pointed to success in this grueling test of endurance.

Beauport's jumping ability is a significant asset. His front-running style means he's likely to stay out of trouble, a crucial factor in navigating the challenging Aintree fences.

His performance at Ascot in November demonstrated his capacity to build a lead and maintain it over a long distance, a skill that could prove invaluable in the National.

Moreover, Beauport's stamina is beyond question. As the winner of the 2024 Midlands Grand National (4m2f), he has already proven his ability to stay the distance in testing conditions. This experience over marathon trips will stand him in good stead for the demands of the Aintree course.

The Twiston-Davies Factor

Behind every great horse is a great trainer, and Beauport has one of the best in the business in Nigel Twiston-Davies. With two Grand National victories already under his belt, Twiston-Davies knows exactly what it takes to prepare a horse for this unique challenge.

Twiston-Davies first tasted Grand National success in 1998 with Earth Summit, followed by a second triumph in 2002 with Bindaree.

Interestingly, the latter victory came at a pivotal moment in the trainer's career. Twiston-Davies had been considering retirement due to financial pressures, but Bindaree's win reinvigorated his passion for the sport and convinced him to continue training.

Now, 23 years after his last National success, Twiston-Davies is hungry for a third victory. His son and assistant, Willy Twiston-Davies, has confirmed that the Grand National has been the plan for Beauport all season.

This long-term strategy suggests that every aspect of Beauport's preparation has been meticulously planned with Aintree in mind.

A Family Affair

The Twiston-Davies connection to Beauport goes beyond just training. Sam Twiston-Davies, Nigel's son and a talented jockey in his own right, is expected to take the ride at Aintree. This family dynamic adds an extra layer of intrigue to Beauport's Grand National bid.

But it's not just the Twiston-Davies family who have a special connection to the race. Beauport's owners, Bryan and Philippa Burrough, have tasted Grand National success before.

Bryan Burrough was the owner of Corbiere, who won the race back in 1983 under the training of Jenny Pitman. The prospect of repeating that triumph 42 years later with Beauport must be an exciting one for the Burroughs.

The Outsider with a Chance

Despite his impressive credentials, Beauport remains something of an outsider in the betting markets. Current odds have him priced around 33-1, which may represent excellent value for a horse with his ability and connections.

This outsider status could work in Beauport's favour. Without the pressure of favouritism, he and his connections can approach the race with a sense of freedom.

As any racing fan knows, the Grand National has a habit of producing surprise results, and Beauport has all the attributes needed to spring such a surprise.

The Countdown

As we count down to the 2025 Grand National, Beauport stands out as a horse worthy of serious consideration. His combination of stamina, jumping ability, and high-class form makes him a genuine contender for the Aintree showpiece.

With the experienced Nigel Twiston-Davies plotting his course to the race, and the potential for a fairytale outcome for both trainer and owners, Beauport's story is one that captures the imagination.

Whether he can end the Twiston-Davies Grand National drought remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Beauport is a horse that deserves our attention as the big day approaches.