Grand National 2026: Horses, riders and key information for first three races at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National day
Aintree Racecourse is set to play host to one of the most iconic days on the racing calendar – Grand National Saturday.
With a packed schedule of action throughout the day, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh provides analysis of every runner in the first three races on the card.
Grand National 2026: Horses, riders and key information for final three races at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National day
Aintree Racecourse is the place to be this weekend as the 2026 Grand National takes centre stage.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh provides analysis of every runner in the final three races on the card, excluding the main race itself.
Grand National 2026: I Am Maximus is Barry Geraghty’s choice for Aintree spectacle
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty is siding with I Am Maximus for the 2026 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 11 - Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh reports.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Aintree on Friday, April 10
Day Two of the 2026 Grand National Festival arrives on Friday, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh is back for more after scoring a profit on the first day at Aintree Racecourse.
ITV are again showing six races from Aintree, and our horse racing expert is hoping for more success in Liverpool.
Timeform predict JP McManus to make history by having first three home in Grand National
The ratings experts at Timeform believe that owner JP McManus could dominate the 2026 Grand National.
McManus, who has won the race three times, is likely to have six runners. Among McManus's powerful squad is 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus who was also runner-up to Nick Rockett in last year's race which was dominated by horses trained by Willie Mullins.
Grand National 2026: Willie Mullins star supported for Aintree Hurdle success in William Hill market movers
William Hill have seen some significant market movers ahead of the first day of the 2026 Grand National festival at Aintree Racecourse, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh reports.
Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo is the main market mover in the Aintree Hurdle, as punters seem keen to side with the nine-year-old.
But Mullins’ charge is not the only major market mover before action gets underway, with Lulamba and Protektorat also being supported.
Cash bet on Grand National would stretch distance of Liverpool to Berlin
Leading bookmaker William Hill estimate that over £150 million will be bet on this Saturday’s Randox Grand National, which if laid end-to-end in £20 notes would cover approximately 650 miles.
The race meeting’s official betting partner is expecting more than six times the amount bet on last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup to be wagered on the National, with their worst result as things stand being Panic Attack.
Horse racing tips: Best bets for Aintree on Thursday, April 9
Day One of the 2026 Grand National Festival gets underway at Aintree, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh has returned to cast his varifocals over the meeting.
ITV is showing six races from Aintree, and our resident racing reporter is keen to unearth the secrets of the card after striking oil in Dubai with a 28/1 winner.
Grand National 2026 news: Complete guide to all 34 horses confirmed for Aintree spectacle
A full field has officially been declared for the 2026 Grand National as excitement builds for one of racing’s showpiece events at Aintree Racecourse.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh provides a complete guide to all 34 confirmed horses.
Grand National 2026 news: I Am Maximus the one to pick, says Willie Mullins assistant David Casey
David Casey, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, has told BetSelect that he would ride I Am Maximus in this year’s Grand National if he had the choice.
Speaking to BetSelect, Casey said: “If I had to pick one, I’d go with I Am Maximus. He’s had a bit of a stronger preparation this year than he did last time.”
How to bet on the 2026 Grand National: Essential tipping guide to the Aintree showpiece
Ahead of the 2026 Grand National at Aintree, Sports News Blitz’s racing expert Kieran McHugh explains how you can bet on the world’s most famous steeplechase.
One of the most famous horse races in the world, the Grand National has always been a longstanding fixture in British culture.
One of few races on the calendar that generates intrigue across the planet, from seasoned gambler to those just having a little each-way dabble.
Horse racing news: Royal Champion takes on Romantic Warrior, Masquerade Ball in FWD QEII Cup
Karl Burke’s Royal Champion will head to Hong Kong for a showdown with local superstar Romantic Warrior and Japanese duo Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday 26 April.
Royal Champion defeated quality opposition to win the 2026 G1 Neom Turf Cup, including Group 1 winner Facteur Cheval, and the well-travelled eight-year-old makes his way to Sha Tin to contest the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (1m2f/2000m) in some career-best form for trainer Burke.
‘Top-class’ prospect He’s On Fire draws comparisons to Gaelic Warrior
He's On Fire's impressive victory at Fairyhouse on Sunday has prompted the experts at Timeform to suggest that Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior's owners could have another top-class prospect on their hands.
World’s best Ka Ying Rising goes for 19th consecutive win in Monday’s G2 Sprint Cup
After setting a new record for consecutive wins by a Hong Kong-trained horse, Zac Purton remains supremely confident Ka Ying Rising can extend his unbeaten streak in Easter Monday’s (6 April) HK$5.35 million (approx. £515,000) G2 Sprint Cup (6f/1200m) at Sha Tin.
Having surpassed Silent Witness’ previous record of 17 successive victories by landing a second HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, Ka Ying Rising returns bidding for a 19th successive win against six rivals at the public holiday Group 2 double-header, which also features the HK$5.35 million (approx. £515,000) G2 Chairman’s Trophy.
Grand National 2026: Willie Mullins’ ten horses that could land him his third-straight Aintree victory
Willie Mullins has won the last two renewals of the Aintree Grand National and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh examines the ten horses that could see him win a third straight Grand National.
Willie Mullins is already a three-time Grand National winner and he bids to become the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to win three-in-a-row.
He currently holds a ten-fold hand in the 2026 edition and the Closutton supremo’s runners will surely be of intrigue.
Grand National 2026: Complete guide to all 34 horses set to compete at Aintree Racecourse
Anticipation is building ahead of the 2026 Grand National as the field begins to take shape for one of racing’s most iconic contests at Aintree Racecourse.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh takes a look through the 34 horses set to go to post.
Horse racing news: Comfortable win at Kempton Park for Constitution Hill and Ryan Moore
Constitution Hill recorded a comfortable victory in his second start on the Flat at Kempton Park on Wednesday night, writes Sports News Blitz’s Jordan Hackett.
The nine-year-old, who is enjoying a second career after one too many falls over hurdles, once again won with relative ease. And with Oisin Murphy serving a suspension, the result came at the hands of Ryan Moore.
Meydan horse racing tips for Saturday, March 28 – Triple Crown glory for Forever Young?
After posting a double-figure profit from his selections last week, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh turns his attention to Dubai.
Meydan plays host to the Dubai World Cup carnival, with nine races on the card, and our resident racing fanatic is very much looking forward to getting his teeth into it.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Doncaster and Kempton on Saturday, March 28
Sports News Blitz’s racing tipster Jeff Mexico is finally back from Cheltenham… Ladies College where he has been teaching sixth-form girls geography for the last month. How Jeff managed to swing that gig is beyond us as he can’t tell the difference between a glacial system and an oxbow lake.
Let’s bring him back down to earth with a bump by waving in the traditional start of the Flat season at Doncaster, with five contests on offer from ITV, as well as three on the all-weather at Kempton.
Horse racing news: Constitution Hill rating remains unchanged despite ‘highly striking’ performance
Constitution Hill’s rating remains unchanged after his latest success on the Flat at Kempton, beating a more promising rival than he had at Southwell again with ease.
Given it was a steadily-run race, the form can’t be rated too highly, so Nicky Henderson’s star remains on a Timeform rating of 106P. The Timeform large ‘P’ indicates Constitution Hill’s potential for significant improvement after only two starts on the Flat.