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.
Horse racing news: Six-time winner Bill Turner to be honoured with Brocklesby Stakes
Six-time Brocklesby Stakes–winning trainer Bill Turner, who died tragically at the age of 78 following an incident at his Somerset stables last year, will have his name added to this year’s running of the prestigious two-year-old contest at Doncaster.
In memory of Turner, William Hill and Doncaster Racecourse have agreed to rename the race the William Hill Bill Turner Brocklesby Stakes, which will take place on Saturday 28th March.
The last five winners of the Grand National
The Grand National has an extraordinary ability to generate stories that transcend sport. Whether it is an amateur jockey fulfilling a lifelong dream, a female rider making history, or a 50/1 outsider defying every expectation, Aintree has a way of producing moments that linger.
If you are looking for Grand National betting inspiration ahead of the next renewal, studying recent winners is always a sensible starting point. Here is a look back at the five horses who have claimed jump racing's greatest prize since 2021.
Oaks and 1000 Guineas return as UK World Pool races in Q2
Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas and the Oaks from Epsom will return as World Pool races this year, with the full list of 2026 Q2 fixtures being confirmed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
As was the case last year, the World Pool season in the UK will kick off with the 2000 Guineas from Newmarket on 2 May, with a full card available to punters in 27 jurisdictions.
Ka Ying Rising trials smoothly ahead of Sprint Cup as FWD Champions Day approaches
Everything went as expected on Tuesday morning (24 March) at Sha Tin for Ka Ying Rising as the eight-time Group 1 winner cruised through a barrier trial in preparation for 6 April’s HK$5.35 million (approx. £510,000) G2 Sprint Cup (6f/1200m), where he’ll attempt to secure a record-extending 19th consecutive win.
Invincible Ibis flies home to land BMW Hong Kong Derby for Mark Newnham and Hugh Bowman
Crowning a phenomenal week for trainer Mark Newnham, Invincible Ibis vindicated Hugh Bowman’s faith with a record-breaking triumph in the HK$26 million (approx. £2.5m) BMW Hong Kong Derby (1m2f/2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 March).
Grand National 2026: JP McManus outsider supported for Grand National glory in William Hill non-runner, money back market
JP McManus looks set for a fourth Grand National victory as his horses dominate William Hill’s non-runner, money back market.
William Hill launched their non-runner, money back market (NRMB) for the Grand National earlier this week and have since seen a flurry of support for JP McManus’ contenders, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh reports.
Calandagan, Docklands and Royal Champion headline European entry for FWD Champions Day
Calandagan, Docklands and Royal Champion are among 14 European horses entered for FWD Champions Day on Sunday, 26 April at Sha Tin – all seeking the opportunity to race for the record HK$78 million (approx. £7.5 million) in prizemoney across three of world racing’s premier contests in Hong Kong.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 day four: Tips for televised races on ITV
After a thrilling and dramatic Cheltenham Festival, the fourth and final day is upon us with all eyes on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Sports News Blitz’s Jeff Mexico and Kieran McHugh seem to have saved their best until the end, and after a successful Thursday, they return for the finale on Friday, March 13.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 day three: Tips for televised races on ITV
Day three of the Cheltenham Festival has quickly rolled around and after a thrilling last couple of days, all focus turns now to St Patrick’s Thursday.
Sports News Blitz’s Jeff Mexico and Kieran McHugh are back for round three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday, March 12.
Majborough highest-rated chaser this century to be labelled a ‘poor jumper’ by Timeform
Majborough has been given the 'x' symbol by Timeform to mark him out as a poor jumper.
With a rating of 177, he is the highest-rated chaser this century to also have an 'x'.