Grand National predictions & tips: why this horse can win
The Randox Grand National (4.00) is the biggest jumps race of the year and one of the hardest puzzles to solve. Here, our experts provide their fancy for the big race at Aintree on Saturday.
Grangeclare West
Forecast odds: 9-1
By Matt Rennie, reporter
I'd usually not pick one who's been beaten in the race already, but I'm certain Grangeclare West would've gone ever so close last year had he not made a mess of the final fence.
It was a huge run anyway and he's got such high-class form in the book, and looked ever so good when winning the Bobbyjo Chase last time. That is the go-to National trial, having produced the last two winners.
I'm worried about Panic Attack, but if Grangeclare West jumps cleanly, he has a huge chance.
By Tom Park, audience editor
The Bobbyjo has proven to be arguably the best trial for the Grand National in recent years and its winner this year, Grangeclare West, looks an obvious contender.
Third in last year’s National after blowing his chance at winning with a bad mistake at the last, Grangeclare West has improved throughout the season and looks set to run another huge race under last year’s winning rider Patrick Mullins.
Jagwar
Forecast odds: 10-1
By Mark Storey, sub-editor
You don’t have to be a great jumper of a fence these days to win the Grand National – Tiger Roll proved that – which is why I believe Jagwar has an awful lot going for him.
Occasional jumping errors have made it a frustrating season for last season’s Plate winner, who has produced form figures of 322 on his starts at Cheltenham this term, doing all his best work at the end.
The result is that he carries a kind-looking 10st 10lbs at Aintree where he will have time to get into his rhythm under Mark Walsh and make best use of his big engine.
By Keith Melrose, betting editor
Two years ago, JP McManus ran a clumsy jumper with an obvious Grade 1-class engine in the Grand National. Everyone expected the fences to catch him out, but this was the first year since the latest round of alterations to the course. I Am Maximus skipped round before winning as impressively as any Grand National winner I can remember.
Jagwar fits a very similar profile. Sketchy jumping and hold-up tactics have worked against him in big handicaps at Cheltenham this season, but he has shaped best every time. A flatter track, with easier fences (yes, I do think that's true even if it isn't yet established beyond all reasonable doubt) ought to let him show the horse he is.
By Joe Eccles, reporter
I've had Jagwar at the top of my Grand National shortlist since his eye-catching second to ownermate Johnnywho in the Ultima at Cheltenham.
The powerful seven-year-old isn't the cleanest of jumpers but might just take to this unique test, with the addition of first-time cheekpieces also capable of unlocking some improvement.
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Panic Attack
Forecast odds: 12-1
By Peter Thomas, senior writer
Panic Attack had had her issues – not least a fractured pelvis and a 649-day break – before she landed the Paddy Power/Coral Gold Cup double off a lenient rating.
Dan Skelton then ran her twice more – a Newbury Listed win and a Cheltenham Festival third – without sacrificing her mark, all of which finds her heading to the National set to carry a mere 10st 5lb.
It's 75 years since Nickel Coin was the last mare to win the great race, but that looks an iffy stat, ready to be blown out of the water by a sound-jumping, strong-staying springer in the market.
By Lee Mottershead, senior writer
It has been obvious for some time that Dan Skelton is going to be crowned champion trainer – and he might well add another £500,000 to his season's haul not long after 4pm.
The imperious manner of Panic Attack's Coral Gold Cup triumph remains fresh in the memory. Her second major handicap success of the campaign marked her down as a leading Grand National candidate.
Nothing she has done since has changed that view. The exuberant mare looks made for the race, in that she jumps beautifully, gets into a wonderful rhythm and has the potential to improve over the marathon trip.
Johnnywho
Forecast odds: 14-1
By James Hill, tipster
I’m a big fan of trends for the Grand National, and the only contender who truly fits them this year is Johnnywho, and he fits them like a glove.
Having gained some experience of the big fences when fifth in the Grand Sefton in November, he has crept into this off his winning Cheltenham mark of 146. Last month’s victory came following a wind op and the addition of cheekpieces, which seemed to help his jumping.
Owned by JP McManus and trained by Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, he has a lovely profile and must be in with a serious chance if he can improve on his festival effort.
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Captain Cody
Forecast odds: 16-1
By Jonny Pearson, handicapper
I backed Captain Cody ante-post for the Grand National in November when I noticed Harry Cobden was booked to ride him at Fairyhouse.
This has clearly been the plan for him since his win in the Scottish National last year, and conditions are very much going to be in his favour.
He won with a lot in hand at Ayr, relishing the marathon trip, and on his first step back up to four miles should run very well. Ideally Harry Cobden would be on board, but Jonathan Burke is a more than capable replacement.
By Olly Eden, deputy weeklies editor
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 of a length 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.
Oscars Brother
Forecast odds: 16-1
By Denis Harney, reporter
Oscars Brother did his Grand National credentials no harm with a staying-on fourth in last month’s Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, while the way he kept on through the mud after cutting out the running when winning the Ten Up at Navan further suggested that the marathon National trip will play firmly to his strengths.
The eight-year-old has a handy racing weight for the big race and has been highly progressive this term for two-horse trainer Connor King and his brother Daniel, who retains the ride.
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Quai De Bourbon
Forecast odds: 28-1
By Scott Burton, France correspondent
This lightly raced second-season chaser was pulled up in heavy-ground editions of the Troytown and the Thyestes either side of Christmas
However he looked in better form when third in a valuable 2m5½f handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival and could be dangerously well treated if he can repeat the level of his third-placed finish behind Haiti Couleurs in the 2025 Irish Grand National, a rival with whom he is 22lb better off.
Monday's Irish National-winning jockey Donagh Meyler is entitled to be full of confidence.
Favori De Champdou
Forecast odds: 28-1
By Ben Chapman, video producer
Favori De Champdou has a really compelling profile for the Grand National, particularly given his owners Gigginstown House Stud like to target this race and have enjoyed so much success with horses such as Tiger Roll, while Delta Work also placed in two editions of the race.
This season, Favori De Champdou has really come into his own, notably winning on Trials day at Cheltenham in such impressive style before backing that up with an excellent second to Final Orders in the Cross Country at the festival, beaten just over two lengths.
That effort underlined both his stamina and his effectiveness in a demanding test, and with that race run over nearly 3m6f, there’s every indication that the extended four-mile-plus trip at Aintree will suit.
With proven staying power, festival form, and connections who know exactly what it takes to land this race, he looks a strong contender to outrun his price.
Banbridge
Forecast odds: 50-1
By Dan Hill, sub-editor
The Grand National has always been a good trends race, although nowadays the trends point to a totally different horse than in days gone by.
Proven course form is no longer essential, nor is sound jumping (although it still helps). A big weight is no longer the burden it was, meaning class can often be the deciding factor – particularly when the ground isn't too testing.
I'm tempted by Banbridge each-way at a massive price. He's one of the class horses in the race and has excellent good-ground form. He has stamina doubts but that's factored into his price.
Champ Kiely
Forecast odds: 66-1
By Gary Savage, tipster
This overlooked Willie Mullins contender hasn't had much racing for a ten-year-old, making his debut over the larger obstacles only 14 months ago.
He is a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles and fences and isn't overburdened with a rating of 157 and a weight of 11st 1lb. Danny Mullins was on board for his most impressive run to date and is back on today.
2026 Grand National complete guide
What time does the Grand National start?
The 2026 Grand National is scheduled to start at 4pm BST on Saturday, April 11.
How many horses run in the 2026 Grand National?
There are 34 runners declared for the 2025 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.
Read this next:
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- Megan Nicholls joins our top panel for Scottish Grand National day - and she thinks the big one will stay in Scotland
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