Confirmed runners and riders for the 2026 Grand National at Aintree

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Final field and key runners confirmed

Last year's Randox Grand National-winning rider, Patrick Mullins, will partner second favourite Grangeclare West in this year's running after the final field of 34 was revealed for the Aintree showpiece.

Mullins famously steered Nick Rockett to success in last year's running for his father Willie, whose nine-strong team was reduced to eight on Thursday after the defending champion was withdrawn from the race.

Pied Piper came into the field following Nick Rockett's removal, only to be taken out himself after being found lame.

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Willie Mullins team: full list of runners

Paul Townend will partner the Mullins-trained favourite I Am Maximus, who has been declared in cheekpieces. I Am Maximus, who won the National in 2024 and was second last year, has worn the aid only once before, when second in a beginners' chase in 2022.

British-based jockeys Johnny Burke and James Bowen have been handed rides for Mullins, on Captain Cody and High Class Hero.

The Mullins team is completed by Spanish Harlem (Brian Hayes), Lecky Watson (Sean O'Keeffe), Champ Kiely (Danny Mullins) and Quai De Bourbon (Donagh Meyler). 

JP McManus contenders and Spillane’s Tower latest

Spillane's Tower was left in the National at the final declaration stage, however was later withdrawn after taking up his preferred engagement of the Grade 1 Racing Welfare Bowl on Thursday.

In both his and Pied Piper's absence, initial reserves Imperial Saint and Amirite are now guaranteed a run in the 4m2½f contest.

Reserves update and final deadline

The reserve deadline for the National was 1pm on Friday, with Ain't That A Shame, Deep Cave and Buddy One failing to get into the final field.

Market movers: Panic Attack backed into 10-1

The main market mover following declarations was Panic Attack, with Coral among the bookmakers to cut the ten-year-old into 10-1. The support has continued to come for Dan Skelton's mare, who is now a best-priced 8-1.

She landed two major prizes in the autumn, the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup, and was last seen finishing third in the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Coral's David Stevens said on Wednesday: "Although it's been 75 years since a mare, Nickel Coin, won the Grand National, plenty of punters are backing Panic Attack to triumph on Saturday, and having been a 16-1 chance on Monday, her odds are now down to 10-1, and it's far from impossible she could be challenging for favouritism come race time." 

Ground conditions at Aintree

On the Grand National course, the going is good to soft after around 2mm of rain, but it should remain largely dry for today's Grand National.

Notable jockey bookings

Another eye-catching jockey booking is that of Toby McCain-Mitchell on Haydock Grand National Trial runner-up Top Of The Bill, one of two runners alongside Beauport for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies. 

The 5lb claimer is a grandson of the late, great Ginger McCain, trainer of three-time Grand National hero Red Rum.

Of the 34 guaranteed a run, 22 are trained in Ireland.

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2026 Grand National: the confirmed list of runners and riders for today

1. I Am Maximus Paul Townend 
2. Nick Rockett NON-RUNNER
3. Banbridge JJ Slevin
4. Grangeclare West Patrick Mullins
5. Gerri Colombe Jack Kennedy
6. Haiti Couleurs Sean Bowen
7. Spillane's Tower Simon Torrens
8. Firefox Keith Donoghue
9. Monty's StarDarragh O'Keeffe
10. Spanish Harlem Brian Hayes
11. Lecky Watson Sean O'Keeffe
12. Champ Kiely Danny Mullins
13. Iroko Jonjo O'Neill Jr
14. Favori De Champdou Danny Gilligan
15. Three Card Brag Jordan Gainford
16. Oscars Brother Daniel King
17. Mr Vango Jack Tudor
18. High Class Hero James Bowen
19. Stellar Story Robert Dunne
20. Beauport Sam Twiston-Davies
21. Captain CodyJonathan Burke
22. Jagwar Mark Walsh
23. Perceval Legallois Harry Cobden
24. Gorgeous Tom Sean Flanagan
25. The Real Whacker Gavin Sheehan
26. Quai De Bourbon Donagh Meyler
27. Answer To Kayf John Shinnick
28. Jordans Ben Jones
29. Final Orders Conor Stone-Walsh
30. Marble Sands Kielan Woods
31. Panic Attack Harry Skelton
32. Top Of The Bill Toby McCain-Mitchell
33. Johnnywho Richie McLernon
34. Twig Beau Morgan
35. Pied Piper NON-RUNNER
36. Imperial Saint Callum Pritchard
37. Amirite Phillip Enright

Reserves (in order of who will get a run should there be a withdrawal)

1. Ain't That A Shame
2. Deep Cave
3. Buddy One

2026 Grand National: latest betting odds for the big race

Paddy Power: 7 Panic Attack, 8 I Am Maximus, 9 Grangeclare West, 10 Jagwar, 12 Johnnywho, Monty's star, 16 Iroko, Oscars Brother, 20 Captain Cody, 22 Gorgeous Tom, 25 Haiti Couleurs, Perceval Legallois, 28 Final Orders, 33 Champ Kiely, Quai De Bourbon, Stellar Story, Jordan, Gerri Colombe, 40 Banbridge, Lecky Watson, Favori De Champdou, 50 Firefox, Imperial Saint, Spanish Harlem, Twig, 66 Beauport, High Class Hero, Mr Vango, The Real Whacker, Three Card Brag, 80 Marble Sands, Top Of The Bill, 100 Answer To Kayf, 125 Amirite, NR Nick Rockett, Pied Piper, Spillane's Tower

2026 Grand National: Aintree verdict and 1-2-3-4 prediction

By Olly Eden

1. Captain Cody

2. Grangeclare West

3. I Am Maximus

4. Champ Kiely

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Irish dominance in this year’s field

Willie Mullins, who is seeking a Grand National hat-trick and saddled the 1-2-3 in last year's running, could hold the key once again with Captain Cody the pick at the prices.

The nicely weighted eight-year-old is the ideal age and proved his stamina when a cosy winner of last season's Scottish Grand National under a super-cool ride by Harry Cobden, scoring with much more in hand than the winning margin implies.

Things haven't gone his way since an encouraging reappearance third over an inadequate trip in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse in November, but that's at least protected his current mark and there's surely a bigger performance in him.

This has been his primary aim all season and spring ground will see him to best effect.

Stablemates Grangeclare West and I Am Maximus, third and second last season, appeal as rock-solid each-way contenders again.

Another Mullins inmate worthy of a second look is Champ Kiely, who is available at 80-1.

Captain Cody16:00 Aintree

View Racecard

Jky: Tnr: W P Mullins

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