The 34 runners and riders for the 2026 Grand National have now been confirmed, with the big race at Aintree taking place this Saturday.
Despite carrying top weight, I Am Maximus remains the clear favourite as he looks to follow up his 2024 victory and last year’s runner-up finish with another massive performance at Aintree. He isn’t the only returning contender attracting money, however, as Grangeclare West is seeing plenty of market support after finishing third in 2025.
The initial entry list of 49 horses has officially been trimmed down to the maximum 34 runners. Ante-post punters who backed Johnnywho can finally relax, as Monday’s final withdrawal stage allowed him to just sneak into the confirmed lineup. A further six reserves are currently on standby to step in should there be any late non-runners before race day.
Grand National 2026 favourites
Find the leading Grand National runners below, alongside their odds and our guide on which are the best horses to back. The leading contenders are listed below, and you can access the full list on our dedicated Grand National site.
I Am Maximus
I Am Maximus – 7/1 favourite
- 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.
Grangeclare West
Grangeclare West – 9/1
- Third in last year’s Grand National and will head to Aintree of the back of a win in February’s Bobbyjo Chase
Jagwar
Jagwar – 10/1
- No experience of the famous Aintree fences but will head there in fine form after finishing second in the Ultima at Cheltenham
Iroko
Iroko – 12/1
- Fourth in last year’s race and will carry 11 pounds less weight than I Am Maximus this time round.
Panic Attack
Panic Attack – 14/1
- Limited experience over longer distances, but did impress when winning the 3m 2f Coral Gold Cup in November.
Oscars Brother
Oscar’s Brother – 16/1
- Followed a trio of victories in Ireland with a fourth place on his UK debut at the Cheltenham Festival.
Captain Cody
Captain Cody – 16/1
- Already the Scottish National winner, and now looking to win the English equivalent 12 months later.
Johnnywho
Johnnywho – 16/1
- 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.
Haiti Couleurs
Haiti Couleurs – 16/1
- Has already won both the Irish and Welsh Nationals, but can he complete the hat-trick with the English version of the famous race?
Nick Rockett
Nick Rockett – 16/1
- A familiar name to many as last year’s Grand National winner, but hasn’t raced since then.
Montys Star
Monty’s Star – 20/1
- Fourth in the 2025 Gold Cup, it’ll be interesting to see how Monty’s Star fares on his Aintree debut.
Final Orders
Final Orders – 25/1
- Shown similarities to previous winner Tiger Roll with Cross Country Chase win at Cheltenham and could be a smart outsider.
Stellar Story
Stellar Story – 25/1
- Caught the eye when finishing third in the Bobbyjo Chase and looks like a typical Gordon Elliott stayer built for this race.
Gorgeous Tom
Gorgeous Tom – 25/1
- 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.
Jordans
Jordans – 28/1
- A talented novice last season who has struggled to recapture that spark this year, leaving him with a lot to prove on Saturday
Gerri Colombe
Gerri Colombe – 33/1
- 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.
Favori De Champdou
Favori De Champdou – 33/1
- 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.
Quai De Bourbon
Quai De Bourbon – 33/1
- A lightly-raced stayer who has had no luck in his last few starts but remains unexposed over marathon trips.
Spanish Harlem
Spanish Harlem – 40/1
- An intriguing runner for Willie Mullins who stays forever but has a worrying habit of making costly jumping errors.
Perceval Legallois
Perceval Legallois – 40/1
- 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.
Lecky Watson
Lecky Watson – 40/1
- A front-running Brown Advisory winner who could be dangerous if allowed to dictate his own pace from the start.
Banbridge
Banbridge – 50/1
- A high-class King George winner who possesses plenty of speed, though significant questions remain regarding his stamina for this 4-mile trip.
Three Card Brag
Three Card Brag – 50/1
- A superb jumper who ran well for a long way last year before fading; he likely needs softer ground to be at his best.
Firefox
Firefox – 66/1
- 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.
Answer To Kayf
Answer To Kayf – 66/1
- 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.
Twig
Twig – 66/1
- The winner of the Becher Chase over these fences in December, he is a confirmed Aintree lover who shouldn’t be dismissed.
High Class Hero
High Class Hero – 66/1
- A prolific winner over hurdles who has yet to reach the same heights over fences, making him a risky proposition.
Champ Kiely
Champ Kiely – 80/1
- 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.
Mr Vango
Mr Vango – 80/1
- A true “mud-lark” and a massive stayer who won the Devon National by a distance; he will be praying for the heavens to open as he has the lung capacity to gallop while others are flagging.
The Real Whacker
The Real Whacker – 100/1
- 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.
Top Of The Bill
Top Of The Bill – 100/1
- 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.
Beauport
Beauport – 100/1
- 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.
Marble Sands
Marble Sands – 100/1
- He’s a gritty stayer who will be hoping the leaders go too fast so he can pick up the pieces late on.
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 £50” 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.
Betfred
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BetMGM
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