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2026 Grand National at Aintree: the runners, the odds, the verdict
A field of 34 runners and riders will go to post for today's Randox Grand National (4.00), the world's most famous jumps race run at Aintree, but who will come out on top and follow in the footsteps of legends? Get the full 2026 Grand National lowdown from our team of tipping experts in our extensive runner-by-runner guide.
Quick race facts
- Race: Randox Grand National 2026
- Time: 4.00pm BST
- Venue: Aintree
- Runners: 34 Distance: 4m2½f
- Surface: Turf (National fences)
Favourite and leading contenders
Joint favourites (8-1)
- I Am Maximus
- Jagwar
- Panic Attack
Next in the betting
- Grangeclare West (9-1)
- Johnnywho (11-1)
The 2026 Grand National verdict and 1-2-3-4 prediction
By Richard Austen
1. Monty's Star
2. Favori De Champdou
3. Grangeclare West
4. Stellar Story
Irish domination turned into Mullins domination last year, when the trainer achieved the extraordinary feat of sending out the first three home and five of the first seven, with his other runner brought down. Winner Nick Rockett hasn't been able to restate his claims this season but placed horses I Am Maximus (the 2024 winner) and Grangeclare West should be all set to run well again and the stable has a further six candidates, including last year's breathtaking Scottish National winner Captain Cody.
It may sound dangerous to say it, though, but calculations do not start and end with Willie Mullins, and other Irish yards could also have leading players.
Gordon Elliott runs 2024 Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe with the stable's number one jockey on board, while stablemates Favori De Champdou (next-best selection) and Stellar Story make serious each-way appeal, but it may well be Henry de Bromhead who has the final say.
He has an interesting second string in Gorgeous Tom but this is the day for MONTY'S STAR to shine. An abundance of Grade 1 assignments have left him with vastly more place than win prize-money but this new trip can reveal him in a new light, just as it did for the yard's Minella Times in 2021.
Iroko, Jagwar, Haiti Couleurs and Panic Attack have been talked about fairly loudly for this race for most of the winter but Johnnywho may in fact emerge best of the British-trained runners.
What time is the Grand National and how can I watch it?
The 2026 Randox Grand National will be shown live on ITV and Racing TV at 4pm today.
Grand National favourites: who heads the betting at Aintree?
Willie Mullins runs nine as he bids for a third consecutive Grand National and he dominates the head of the market.
I Am Maximus, who won the race two years ago before chasing home stablemate Nick Rockett 12 months ago, is a general 8-1 favourite, with JP-McManus' Jagwar the nearest challenger.
Panic Attack has been well supported for Dan Skelton and is also no bigger than 8-1, with Grangeclare West and Johnnywho next in the betting.
2026 Grand National: latest betting odds for the big race
- I Am Maximus 8-1
- Nick Rockett NR
- Banbridge 50-1
- Grangeclare West 10-1
- Gerri Colombe 33-1
- Haiti Couleurs 18-1
- Spillane's Tower 33-1
- Firefox 100-1
- Monty's Star20-1
- Spanish Harlem 50-1
- Lecky Watson 50-1
- Champ Kiely 80-1
- Iroko 14-1
- Favori De Champdou 40-1
- Three Card Brag 66-1
- Oscars Brother 16-1
- Mr Vango 80-1
- High Class Hero 80-1
- Stellar Story 25-1
- Beauport 125-1
- Captain Cody16-1
- Jagwar 14-1
- Perceval Legallois 40-1
- Gorgeous Tom 33-1
- The Real Whacker 100-1
- Quai De Bourbon 33-1
- Answer To Kayf 66-1
- Jordans 33-1
- Final Orders 25-1
- Marble Sands 125-1
- Panic Attack 8-1
- Top Of The Bill 125-1
- Johnnywho 14-1
- Twig 66-1
- Pied Piper NR
- Imperial Saint 66-1
2026 Grand National: runner-by-runner guide
1 I Am Maximus
First and second in last two Grand Nationals; penultimate race suggests all his ability remains
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Forecast odds: 7-1
2 Nick Rockett
NON-RUNNER
3 Banbridge
So nearly won his second King George at Kempton, which doesn't mean this test will suit
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: JJ Slevin
Forecast odds: 50-1
4 Grangeclare West
Three-length third last year, after diving at the final fence (up 3lb today); won his latest outing
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
Forecast odds: 9-1
5 Gerri Colombe
Second in 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup and, some positive signs lately, could be on his way back
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Forecast odds: 25-1
6 Haiti Couleurs
Irish and Welsh National winner; Gold Cup was disappointing but he's bounced back before
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
Jockey: Sean Bowen
Forecast odds: 14-1
7 Spillane's Tower
Probably something in tank (travelled up strongly to take over) for Cheltenham Grade 2 win
Trainer: James Mangan
Jockey: Simon Torrens
Forecast odds: 25-1
8 Firefox
Ran on late when fourth in Irish Gold Cup (3m); didn't see out 3m2f so well at Cheltenham
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Forecast odds: 50-1
9 Monty's Star
Trying in vain at Grade 1 level; going up markedly in trip in a handicap is mouthwatering
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe
Forecast odds: 16-1
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10 Spanish Harlem
Stays long distances; his revised mark since bold show in the Thyestes is the chief worry
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Brian Hayes
Forecast odds: 40-1
11 Lecky Watson
Won 3m Grade 1 at Cheltenham last March from Stellar Story; no impact in Ireland this term
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe
Forecast odds: 33-1
12 Champ Kiely
Whether he'll stay 4m2f is a big question but he could outrun his odds for a long way
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Forecast odds: 66-1
13 Iroko
Staying-on fourth in 2025 National off 5lb lower; scoped dirty at Cheltenham last month
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerreiro
Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
Forecast odds: 12-1
14 Favori De Champdou
11-year-old who is having a tremendous season, over Cheltenham cross-country on last two outings
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Danny Gilligan
Forecast odds: 28-1
15 Three Card Brag
Career-best form in the autumn; last year's Grand National and latest start are concerns
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jordan Gainford
Forecast odds: 50-1
16 Oscars Brother
Slow early jumping in 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Cheltenham but he made late inroads into fourth
Trainer: Connor King
Jockey: Daniel King
Forecast odds: 16-1
17 Mr Vango
Nothing to prove for stamina or this track, but he cracked alarmingly on last two outings
Trainer: Sara Bradstock
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Forecast odds: 66-1
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18 High Class Hero
Staying-on third over an extended 3m4f at Sandown (good; 5lb higher today) last April
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: James Bowen
Forecast odds: 50-1
19 Stellar Story
Unraced beyond 3m2f but has strongly suggested that he has serious stamina; each-way appeal
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Robert Dunne
Forecast odds: 25-1
20 Beauport
Stays but he was too zestful in this race last year; now tongue-tied first time
Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Forecast odds: 100-1
21 Captain Cody
Tremendous response on the run-in to win 4m Scottish National last April; 12lb higher now
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Forecast odds: 16-1
22 Jagwar
Constant improver; went close when upped to 3m1f at Cheltenham after some jumping errors
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerreiro
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Forecast odds: 10-1
23 Perceval Legallois
Joint-third favourite for this in 2025 but fell at the ninth; nothing to shout about this winter
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Forecast odds: 33-1
24 Gorgeous Tom
11-length fourth off this mark to Panic Attack at Newbury (3m2f) and stuck to his task very well
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Forecast odds: 25-1
25 The Real Whacker
Well handicapped on peak efforts but those past glories may now be too distant
Trainer: Patrick Neville
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Forecast odds: 66-1
26 Quai De Bourbon
Third in the 3m5f Irish National last April but completed only four of his eight chases
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Donagh Meyler
Forecast odds: 28-1
27 Answer To Kayf
Faded in a 3m7f race; clearly his best five ratings were registered on soft or heavy going
Trainer: Terence O'Brien
Jockey: John Shinnick
Forecast odds: 50-1
28 Jordans
Second in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice chase at this meeting last year; below form since
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Ben Jones
Forecast odds: 20-1
29 Final Orders
Has taken so well to Cheltenham cross-country; best performances away from soft ground
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Conor Stone-Walsh
Forecast odds: 25-1
30 Marble Sands
A strong-staying winner at Cheltenham (near 3m4f, soft; 5lb higher today) in November
Trainer: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Forecast odds: 100-1
31 Panic Attack
8lb higher than for her big-race win at Newbury (3m2f) but her dominance is hard to forget
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Forecast odds: 12-1
32 Top Of The Bill
An excellent, rallying second at Haydock (extended 3m4f) but this is a much stronger race
Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell
Forecast odds: 100-1
33 Johnnywho
Second and first over 3m2f/3m1f at Cheltenham Festivals and wasn't stopping; up 6lb in future
Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O'Neill
Jockey: Richie McLernon
Forecast odds: 14-1
34 Twig
A doughty 3m2f win over these fences in the Becher but remote tenth in last year's National
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Jockey: Beau Morgan
Forecast odds: 50-1
35 Pied Piper
NON-RUNNER
36 Imperial Saint
Three wins over conventional fences here; 3m1f win this January but this trip is a big unknown
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
Jockey: Callum Pritchard
Forecast odds: 66-1
4.00 Aintree (Saturday, April 11): Randox Grand National racecard and betting
2026 Grand National complete guide
What time does the Grand National start?
The 2026 Grand National is scheduled to start at 4pm BST today.
How many horses run in the 2026 Grand National?
There are 34 runners declared for the 2026 Grand National.
Who won the Grand National last year?
Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National, giving trainer Willie Mullins his third victory in the race. The horse was ridden by the trainer's son, Patrick Mullins, and started as a 33-1 shot.
What channel is the Grand National on?
The Grand National will be broadcast live on ITV1 as part of their coverage of the Aintree Festival. You can also watch the race on Racing TV and stream it through bookmakers’ websites if you have a funded account or place a qualifying bet.
How do I place a bet on the Grand National?
You can place a bet on the Grand National online, in betting shops, or via mobile apps with most major bookmakers. If you’re looking for extra value, head over to our Grand National free bets page.
What is each-way betting and how does it work for the Grand National?
An each-way bet is essentially two bets in one: one part of your stake goes on your horse to win, and the other part goes on it to place. If your horse wins, you get paid on both parts. If it only places — usually finishing in the top five or six depending on the bookmaker — you’ll receive a payout at a fraction of the win odds, typically 1/5 or 1/4.
The Grand National is a prime race for each-way betting because of the large field and long odds, giving punters a shot at a decent return even if their horse doesn’t win.
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Take a look at the best Grand National free bets to find out more.
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Published on inGrand National festival
Last updated
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