Horse racing news: Aintree winner I Am Maximus posts best Grand National rating in Timeform history
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Horse racing news: Aintree winner I Am Maximus posts best Grand National rating in Timeform history

I Am Maximus created equine history in winning the 2026 Grand National, becoming just the ninth horse to win the race more than once.

In the process, he was also the first since the legendary Red Rum in 1977 to both regain his crown and shoulder top weight to victory.

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ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Aintree on Saturday, April 11

ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Aintree on Saturday, April 11

Day three of the 2026 Grand National Festival arrives on Saturday, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh is eyeing the big race – the Grand National.

ITV are showing five races from Aintree Racecourse, starting at 13:20 and culminating at 16:00 with the Grand National, and our resident reporter is hoping to continue his good form.

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Grand National 2026: Horses, riders and key information for first three races at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National day

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.

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Grand National 2026: Horses, riders and key information for final three races at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National day

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.

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Grand National 2026: I Am Maximus is Barry Geraghty’s choice for Aintree spectacle

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.

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ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Aintree on Friday, April 10

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.

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Timeform predict JP McManus to make history by having first three home in Grand National

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.

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Grand National 2026 news: Complete guide to all 34 horses confirmed for Aintree spectacle

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.

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Grand National 2026 news: I Am Maximus the one to pick, says Willie Mullins assistant David Casey
Horse racing, Horse racing news, Grand National news Sports News Blitz writer Horse racing, Horse racing news, Grand National news Sports News Blitz writer

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.”

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How to bet on the 2026 Grand National: Essential tipping guide to the Aintree showpiece

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.

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Grand National 2026: Willie Mullins’ ten horses that could land him his third-straight Aintree victory

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.

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Grand National 2026: Complete guide to all 34 horses set to compete at Aintree Racecourse

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.

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The last five winners of the Grand National

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.

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Grand National 2026: JP McManus outsider supported for Grand National glory in William Hill non-runner, money back market

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.

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Horse racing news: Iroko has bookies sweating as Grand National weights announced by William Hill
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Horse racing news: Iroko has bookies sweating as Grand National weights announced by William Hill

The official betting partner of the Randox Grand National Festival, William Hill, have revealed that Iroko is still their biggest loser in their Grand National ante-post book.

With the weights for the world’s greatest race announced today in Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, the leading bookmakers have their biggest liability riding on the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero–trained runner.

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Horse racing news: William Hill put up £500,000 bonus in new Randox Grand National series

Horse racing news: William Hill put up £500,000 bonus in new Randox Grand National series

William Hill are thrilled to unveil the ground-breaking ‘William Hill Half a Mill’ Randox Grand National bonus series, which offers £500,000 to connections of any horse that can complete a famous trial and Grand National double in the same season.

The lucrative bonus is available to the winners of the William Hill Becher Chase at Aintree, the William Hill Classic Chase at Warwick and the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock – if they can go on to triumph in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday April 11, 2026. 

It will see the prize money for the world’s greatest race double to £1million.

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£250m to be staked at Grand National festival as I Am Maximus tops betting

£250m to be staked at Grand National festival as I Am Maximus tops betting

The year’s most popular horse race, the Grand National, is expected to attract £150m in betting turnover in the UK and Ireland this year, with official Grand National betting partner William Hill anticipating the betting industry to see around £250m staked across the three days at Aintree.

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Grand National news: Gavin Sheehan’s horse Hewick has the quality, bravery and class to win
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Grand National news: Gavin Sheehan’s horse Hewick has the quality, bravery and class to win

Irish jockey Gavin Sheehan, set to ride Hewick in Saturday’s Grand National, has told BetVictor that he believes the Shark Hanlon–trained 10-year-old has enough quality, bravery, and class to be competitive in the race.

The renowned jockey further explained how the Aintree event is the pinnacle for any rider.

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Grand National news: Course changes are bad for the race but good for Hewick, says Gavin Sheehan
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Grand National news: Course changes are bad for the race but good for Hewick, says Gavin Sheehan

Irish jockey Gavin Sheehan, set to ride Hewick in Saturday’s Grand National, has told BetVictor that he believes recent changes to the fences and field size will have a negative impact on the race but could work in favour of his mount this year.

In a wide-ranging interview, the jockey also offered his thoughts on the Canal Turn being the toughest fence on the famous course.

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