JP McManus Could Make Grand National History With Five Fancied Runners
JP McManus has long been one of the most powerful figures in National Hunt racing, and the Limerick native's grip on the 2026 Grand National is stronger than ever.
With five of the first seven horses in the ante-post market on betting sites set to carry his iconic green and gold hoops, McManus has a remarkable chance of becoming the most successful owner in the history of the world's most famous jumps race.
The 75-year-old celebrated his birthday in style at this year's Cheltenham Festival, landing four winners across the week to take his all-time Festival tally to 88.
Now, with the Aintree showpiece set to go to post on Saturday, April 11, his army of runners could deliver something even more memorable.
Three Wins And Counting
McManus has won the Grand National three times already. Don't Push It gave AP McCoy his long-awaited first success in the race in 2010 at 10/1.
In 2021, Minella Times made history when Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the National, while in 2024, I Am Maximus powered clear under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.
That tally of three wins puts McManus level with five other owners at the top of the all-time list, including the late Trevor Hemmings and Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud.
One more victory would see him stand alone as the most successful owner the Grand National has ever known.
Given the strength of his squad heading to Aintree, betting apps are bracing themselves.
The McManus Runners: A Closer Look
I Am Maximus (10/1 – Willie Mullins)
The 2024 winner heads the weights this year, but is still one of the favourites at the top of the Grand National betting odds.
He followed up that Aintree triumph with a fine second to Nick Rockett when defending his crown last year, shouldering top weight with real credit.
This season has seen him compete exclusively in Grade 1 company, including a solid second in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December.
At the age of 10, there are legitimate questions about whether he can defy top weight again, but his Aintree record speaks for itself.
Two runs around those famous fences have produced a win and a second, and slower ground on the day would play to his strengths.
Iroko (12/1 – Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
Iroko went off as the market leader for last year's National and ran a fine race to finish fourth, staying on well despite his relative inexperience.
Trainer Oliver Greenall noted afterwards that jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr felt it had come a year too soon.
The eight-year-old has since won a Graduation Chase at Ascot impressively and returns to Aintree 5lb higher in the handicap.
His Cheltenham Festival run in the Ultima was disappointing, but connections have been quick to put a line through that, insisting he was always being aimed at the National.
With a year's more experience under his belt, Iroko looks like a serious contender.
Jagwar (11/1 – Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
Stablemate Jagwar has been one of the stories of the season.
All three of his runs this campaign have ended in placed finishes in Graded company, culminating in a close second in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, where he was beaten just half a length by fellow McManus horse Johnnywho.
An imposing sort who has the size to handle the National fences, Jagwar will be ridden by Mark Walsh after the jockey was confirmed by trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
His Grand National mark of 152 is 5lb below his official rating, which gives him every chance of being competitive off a handy weight.
The Ultima is often a key trial for the National, and his effort there suggests the step up in trip could bring out further improvement.
Johnnywho (16/1 – Jonjo & AJ O'Neill)
Fresh from his Cheltenham triumph in the Ultima, Johnnywho arrives at Aintree as a horse full of confidence.
That win at the festival was a well-deserved reward for a consistent campaigner, and it came after wind surgery earlier in the season rejuvenated his career.
The nine-year-old had previously finished fifth in the 2025 Irish Grand National and also ran in the Grand Sefton Handicap over the National fences earlier this season, so the unique Aintree obstacles will hold no fears.
He is not the biggest horse in the field, but his proven stamina and the form of the Ultima make him a live outsider.
Connections are bullish about his chances, and if a couple of horses come out of the race to let him into the final 34, he looks very well treated at the weights.
Oscars Brother (20/1 – Connor King)
Perhaps the most intriguing McManus runner of all is Oscars Brother, who has already been backed from 25/1 to as short as 14/1 with some UK bookmakers.
Bought by the McManus team after winning the Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown last November, the eight-year-old has flourished since joining the operation, winning the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan on his first start in the famous green and gold silks.
A creditable fourth in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham showed he can mix it at the highest level, and his progressive profile marks him out as one to watch.
He is trained by Connor King, who has just two horses in his yard, making this a fairytale story in itself, and is likely to attract plenty of support.
A Season To Remember For McManus
This has been a typically dominant campaign for racing's most powerful owner.
At the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, McManus was crowned leading owner for the 13th time since 2011, with four winners across the week.
Away from Cheltenham, the McManus operation has been firing on all cylinders.
He has over 50 individual winners in Ireland alone this season, spread across more than 40 different trainers.
His retained rider, Mark Walsh, has been in excellent form, and the depth of talent available across multiple yards gives McManus options that no other owner can match.
Can He Make History At Aintree?
The sheer weight of numbers in the betting tells its own story. Having five of the first seven in the market is unprecedented for a single owner, and it underlines just how seriously McManus targets the Grand National year after year.
With Iroko, I Am Maximus, Jagwar, Johnnywho and Oscars Brother all holding strong claims, it feels like a matter of when, not if, McManus secures that record-breaking fourth National victory.
Whether it comes this year or not, his stranglehold on the race shows no sign of loosening.
The Randox Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, April 11 at 4pm. Final declarations are confirmed on Wednesday, April 8.
