Grand National 2026: Key Contenders And Runners To Watch
The 2026 Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, April 11 at 4pm, and the final field of 34 has thrown up no shortage of drama.
Defending champion Nick Rockett was withdrawn on Thursday morning due to coughing, while first reserve Pied Piper was also ruled out after being found lame.
The going is currently good to soft, the prize fund is £1million, and I Am Maximus heads the market across all the major betting sites as he bids to emulate Red Rum by regaining the title.
If you’re still weighing up your options, check out our expert tips and updates, while our beginner’s guide to betting on the Grand National covers everything first-time punters need to know.
The Favourite: I Am Maximus
Willie Mullins’ 10-year-old heads the market and carries top weight of 11st 12lb for the second year running.
He won the Grand National in 2024 under Paul Townend and was a gallant runner-up to stablemate Nick Rockett in 2025, so he knows his way around these fences better than most.
No horse has won under top weight since Red Rum in 1974, and at the age of 10, he’s pushing the Grand National trends that favour younger horses, but his class is undeniable.
A solid second in the Savills Chase at Christmas confirmed he retains plenty of ability this season.
The Mullins Army And McManus Machine
Mullins saddles eight runners as he chases a third consecutive Grand National victory.
Grangeclare West is his second string in the betting after finishing third last year and winning the Bobbyjo Chase in February, with Patrick Mullins switching from the now-absent Nick Rockett to take the ride.
Captain Cody and Spanish Harlem offer each-way value further down the weights, while Lecky Watson and Champ Kiely are longer shots from the same powerful yard.
JP McManus has six runners in the race, headed by Iroko, Jagwar, and Cheltenham Ultima winner Johnnywho - the type of deep squad that makes the green-and-gold hoops impossible to ignore on Saturday.
The British Hopes
Haiti Couleurs is the standout British-trained contender for Rebecca Curtis, arriving as the winner of both the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals.
Victory at Aintree would make him the first Welsh-trained Grand National winner since Kirkland in 1905 and complete a remarkable hat-trick of National wins.
Dan Skelton’s Panic Attack is another fascinating runner - a mare who has already landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup this season and has been well-backed in the lead-up to the big race.
No mare has won the Grand National since Nickel Coin in 1951, but her form this season has been exceptional.
Perceval Legallois, last year’s Scottish National winner, adds further depth to the home team’s challenge under Harry Cobden.
The Outsiders Worth A Look
Twig is one of the most interesting runners at the bottom of the weights. The 11-year-old won the Becher Chase over these fences in December and carries just 10st 4lbs, with a £500,000 bonus on offer if he wins.
Mr Vango won the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham and follows in the footsteps of Tiger Roll as a course-and-distance specialist.
Elsewhere, Gorgeous Tom caught the eye when finishing third in the Bobbyjo Chase and looks a typical Henry de Bromhead stayer built for this test.
For anyone scanning the leading betting apps for value, these are the kind of profiles that have helped outsiders win Grand Nationals at big prices in the past.
With Nick Rockett out and the ground riding good to soft, this year’s Grand National looks as open as any in recent memory.
Whether you fancy the class of I Am Maximus at the top of the weights or prefer to side with a lightly weighted outsider like Twig, the key is to do your homework before the off.
Our guide to how the Grand National has changed explains the course and fence modifications that shape the modern race.
Whatever you decide, enjoy the spectacle - there really is nothing else like it in sport.
Who are you backing in this year's Grand National? Let us know your picks in the comments below!
