Every April, the sport of horse racing stops and holds its breath. The Grand National, run over four miles and two furlongs at Aintree, is unlike any other race in the calendar.
34 horses, 30 famous fences, and a nation watching. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and utterly brilliant for true racing fans, as well as those who only get involved once a year.
The final field is out, we’ve already had some drama with an important non-runner, so here’s a look at the main contenders for the 2026 Grand National.
The Mullins Machine: Can History Be Made?
This year’s renewal takes place on Saturday, and with trainer Willie Mullins saddling eight of the 34 runners in pursuit of a historic third consecutive victory, the big question is whether anyone can stop the Irish dominance continuing.
That figure of eight should have been nine, but a day after declarations were made, Mullins has withdrawn one of his leading contenders.
The 2025 winner of the Grand National Nick Rockett has been withdrawn, leaving Mullins with a team of eight. I feel really sorry for Tom Bellamy, who was set to ride Nick Rockett after a thrilling season including his first Cheltenham Festival win.
I Am Maximus heads the market and heads the weights, and it’s easy to see why. A winner of the race in 2024 and runner-up in 2025, he returns with a remarkable record in the National.
Paul Townend, who won on him two years ago, sticks with him again. No horse since Red Rum has won the Grand National, lost the title, and then regained it, and that’s exactly what I Am Maximus is attempting.
He’s a big, bold jumper who handles Aintree’s unique fences well, and his class is undeniable. The concern? He carries top weight again, it’s a massive ask.
Grangeclare West is the second favourite, and there’s a strong argument he could have won last year.
He finished three lengths behind Nick Rockett in 2025’s race, and a mistake at the to end his chances that day, something that has plagued him in a number of runs.
He’s done nothing wrong since, winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, a race that has historically served as a strong Grand National trial.
Patrick Mullins is on board, after winning on Nick Rockett last year, and made the decision to do so before Nick Rockett was withdrawn.
Captain Cody, Quai De Bourbon, Lecky Watson, Spanish Harlem, Champ Kiely & High Class Hero are the other hopes for Team Mullins on Saturday.
Who are the Main British Hopes?
We’ve spoken about Willie Mullins, but let’s now focus on the main British hopes for the race.
Panic Attack is the most talked-about British challenger and the mare has been generating real market support all week.
Dan Skelton’s stable star has had a smashing campaign that’s included wins in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup. She was only a distant third in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham last time, but connections aren’t worried, and bookmakers have reported support in the build up for her.
The caveat is the history books, it’s been 75 years since a mare, Nickel Coin, last won the Grand National.
Haiti Couleurs, trained by Wales’ Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Sean Bowen, is a fascinating runner after already showing his love for a test like this, with previous wins in the Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals.
His Cheltenham Gold Cup run last month was disappointing when pulled up, but connections remain positive.
He wasn’t himself that day, and the return to handicap company, and a real slog, are in his favour.
Jagwar represents the powerful pairing of trainer Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero and owner JP McManus.
Winning the TrustATrader Plate at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, he followed that with second spot in this year’s Ultima Handicap Chase, and Mark Walsh takes the mount.
He’s lightly weighted relative to the market leaders and could be flying home late.
Johnnywho, trained by the father-and-son duo of Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, is another each-way shout also owned by JP McManus, who has plenty of live chances this year.
He won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, ahead of Jagwar, in his first outing since a wind operation.
With that success coming after the Grand National weights had been announced, he’s officially 6lb well in.
The Grand National Grey Horse
For many, who don’t follow racing too much and instead like to find an alternative way to pick horses, looking out for grey horses remains a popular method.
However, since the race began in 1839, it hasn’t proven to be the most successful way of picking a winner.
The Lamb was the first grey winner, in 1869 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver came next in 1961 and most recently, Neptune Collonges won the race in 2012.
This year? Well there’s just one grey runner in the final field and that’s the big priced outsider Marble Sands.
My Grand National 1-2-3-4
As is traditional, rather than giving you just the winner of arguably the toughest race of the season to solve, I’ll put up my 1-2-3-4.
I think Grangeclare West has an excellent chance of going better than last season, and looks prime for a massibe run, I’ll take him to win the race.
Final Orders won the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, and the quicker the ground, the better for him, I’ll take him to come home in second.
Right at the bottom of the weights, Johnnywho ran a great trial when winning at Cheltenham and can sneak into a place under a featherweight for the O’Neill’s.
Finally, despite a massive weight, I Am Maximus loves this test, and while I don’t think he’ll win it this year, he’ll be thereabouts at the finish, I’ll take him to finish fourth.
- 1st – Grangeclare West
- 2nd – Final Orders
- 3rd – Johnnywho
- 4th – I Am Maximus
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