The stage is officially set for the 2026 Grand National, and all eyes are firmly on Willie Mullins’ remarkable stayer, I Am Maximus, as he attempts to reclaim his Aintree crown.
Following his 2024 triumph and a valiant runner-up finish last year, the undisputed favourite will have to defy top weight to etch his name into racing folklore once again. He heads a fiercely competitive 34-runner field that also features Grangeclare West, who has attracted massive ante-post support after finishing third in 2025 and notably securing the elite services of Patrick Mullins in the saddle.
However, the build-up to this year’s marathon showpiece has been entirely defined by eleventh-hour drama following the crushing withdrawal of defending champion Nick Rockett due to a late cough.
With other late entrants like Johnnywho and the fascinating Peter Marsh Chase winner Imperial Saint also sneaking into the final field just in the nick of time, punters are presented with an incredibly open puzzle to solve over the famous spruce fences this Saturday.
Grand National 2026 runners and betting odds
Find the confirmed 2026 Grand National runners below, alongside their odds and our pinstickers guide on which are the best horses to back. The full list of contenders are listed below, and you can find plenty more about the great race on our dedicated Grand National site.
- The 2024 Grand National winner followed up impressively in 2025 by finishing second. Carries top weight but that wasn’t a problem 12 months ago.
- Limited experience over longer distances, but did impress when winning the 3m 2f Coral Gold Cup in November.
- Third in last year’s Grand National and will head to Aintree of the back of a win in February’s Bobbyjo Chase
- No experience of the famous Aintree fences but will head there in fine form after finishing second in the Ultima at Cheltenham
- Winners of the Cheltenham Festival’s Ultima have gone on to do well in the National, so the signs bode well for Johnnywho following March’s victory.
- Fourth in last year’s race and will carry 11 pounds less weight than I Am Maximus this time round.
- Fourth in the 2025 Gold Cup, it’ll be interesting to see how Monty’s Star fares on his Aintree debut.
- Already the Scottish National winner, and now looking to win the English equivalent 12 months later.
- Followed a trio of victories in Ireland with a fourth place on his UK debut at the Cheltenham Festival.
- Has already won both the Irish and Welsh Nationals, but can he complete the hat-trick with the English version of the famous race?
- A former Gold Cup runner-up who has struggled with injuries but showed he still has the engine by winning at Down Royal last time out.
- A lightly-raced stayer who has had no luck in his last few starts but remains unexposed over marathon trips.
- Shown similarities to previous winner Tiger Roll with Cross Country Chase win at Cheltenham and could be a smart outsider.
- Caught the eye when finishing third in the Bobbyjo Chase and looks like a typical Gordon Elliott stayer built for this race.
- Represents the Henry de Bromhead yard and while his recent form is patchy, he has the build of a horse that will appreciate a real test of stamina.
- A talented novice last season who has struggled to recapture that spark this year, leaving him with a lot to prove on Saturday
- A front-running Brown Advisory winner who could be dangerous if allowed to dictate his own pace from the start.
- A Grade 1 winner who has been below par this season but could spark back to life now that he’s finally stepped up to a marathon trip.
- Fell early in last year’s race and while he hasn’t shown much since, his trainer Gavin Cromwell is a master at targeting these prizes.
- A cross-country specialist who won the Paddy Power Chase and arrives here in the form of his life, albeit with a much higher handicap mark.
- An intriguing runner for Willie Mullins who stays forever but has a worrying habit of making costly jumping errors.
- The winner of the Becher Chase over these fences in December, he is a confirmed Aintree lover who shouldn’t be dismissed.
- A high-class King George winner who possesses plenty of speed, though significant questions remain regarding his stamina for this 4-mile trip.
- A superb jumper who ran well for a long way last year before fading; he likely needs softer ground to be at his best.
- A classy Gordon Elliott runner who has danced every dance in Grade 1 company this season; the big question is whether his high cruising speed can be sustained.
- Slipping under the radar as a highly dangerous outsider, Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s Imperial Saint heads to Aintree armed with crucial course experience and the relentless staying power he recently showcased during a commanding winter victory in the Peter Marsh Chase.
- A prolific winner over hurdles who has yet to reach the same heights over fences, making him a risky proposition.
- A quirky but talented stayer who jumps well and could outrun his massive odds if he decides to put his best foot forward on the day.
- A real sleeper in the betting who stays remarkably well and has a very tidy jumping technique, making him exactly the type of unexposed Irish raider that often hits the frame.
- Squeezing into the 34-runner lineup as a dramatic late reserve, Henry de Bromhead’s Amirite steps up as an intriguing outsider who already knows his way around these formidable fences from a solid run in last year’s Topham Chase, bringing proven staying power following a gritty victory in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan.
- He’s a gritty stayer who will be hoping the leaders go too fast so he can pick up the pieces late on.
- A former top-level novice who hasn’t quite kicked on this season, but he is a bold jumper who will enjoy being in the thick of the action.
- The Midlands National winner who has proven he can handle a marathon trip and deep ground, though he’ll need to avoid the jumping errors that sometimes haunt him.
The 2026 Grand National: How to watch
Dates & Starting Time: The main event, the world-famous Grand National, is scheduled to set off at 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Broadcast Information: If you are tuning in from home, you can catch all the live racing action across the UK on ITV1, as well as through dedicated, in-depth coverage on Racing TV.
Location & Getting There: The historic Aintree Racecourse, situated just on the outskirts of Liverpool, serves as the home for the entire three-day meeting. If you are traveling to the track, you have a few easy options:
- By Train: The most convenient route is catching a direct train from Liverpool Central station right to Aintree. The trip takes roughly 17 minutes and drops you off right at the venue’s doorstep.
- By Car: Driving from Liverpool city centre usually takes about half an hour, but be sure to factor in extra time for heavy race-day traffic!
The 2026 Grand National: How to bet
Betting on the Grand National is incredibly straightforward, whether you are using an online sportsbook app, popping into a high street betting shop, or placing a bet right by the track at Aintree. The two most common ways to play are a simple “To Win” bet, where your chosen horse must cross the finish line first, and the immensely popular “Each-Way” bet.
As the National features a massive 34-runner field and plenty of unpredictability over the spruce fences, an each-way wager essentially splits your total stake in half: one part backs the horse to win, and the other part backs them to “place” (finish in the top few spots).
Most major bookmakers offer extended place payouts specifically for this iconic race—often paying out if your horse finishes in the top five or even six—making it the smartest approach if you are backing a longer-priced dark horse and want a solid chance of seeing a return on your investment.
- Brand new sportsbook launched, offering far more than just horse racing
- Benefit from the unique Tote dividend as an alternative to normal fixed odds betting
Grand National 2026 riders
As well as the runners, it’s also imperative to mention this year’s riders for the Grand National on Saturday. At the top of the Aintree narrative are the elite jockeys steering Willie Mullins’ powerful stable, most notably Paul Townend. As the undisputed number one rider for the yard, Townend is back in the saddle aboard the 2024 winner and current 2026 favourite, I Am Maximus, carrying the hopes of punters backing the horse to make history under top weight.
In a fascinating twist, Patrick Mullins, who famously steered 33/1 shot Nick Rockett to an incredible victory in the 2025 National, has switched mounts this year to ride Grangeclare West.
Beyond the Mullins camp, several world-class riders are primed to navigate the chaotic 34-runner field. Jack Kennedy is a massive booking for trainer Gordon Elliott, partnering the classy Gerri Colombe and hoping to guide the proven stayer into the history books.
Meanwhile, owner JP McManus has secured top-tier talent for his prominent runners, with Mark Walsh taking the reins on the highly fancied Jagwar and Richie McLernon reuniting with the popular late-entrant Johnnywho following their recent Cheltenham success.
Elsewhere, the tactical expertise of Harry Skelton will be heavily relied upon as he partners Panic Attack, adding even more depth to an incredibly competitive weighing room this Saturday.
Best 2026 Grand National betting offers and free bets
By now, you should have narrowed down which runners you want to back for the 2026 Grand National, but you still have the chance to secure some free bets while placing your wagers.
The featured sites offer some of the most accessible Grand National free bets currently on the market, ranging from BetMGM’s “Bet £10 Get £10” to Sky Bet’s “Bet 5p Get £30” promotion.
These offers come from established betting sites that our experts have reviewed, ensuring a secure betting experience as the Aintree Festival approaches.
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- New to the UK betting scene, and set to make a big impression
- Partnering with BVGroup, so customers benefit from bet builders & odds boosts
