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.
1 – I Am Maximus, Willie Mullins, 10-year-old
The 2024 Grand National winner and 2025 runner-up to Nick Rockett. Three runs this year include second in the Savills Chase and fifth in the Irish Gold Cup on his last start.
Carries 11st, 12lbs.
2 – Nick Rockett, Willie Mullins, nine-year-old
The 2025 Grand National winner and defending champion. Returned at Down Royal in March, beaten six lengths by Gerri Colombe but widely accepted that was a prep.
Carries 11st, 11lbs.
3 – Banbridge, Joseph O’Brien, 10-year-old
The 2024 King George VI winner, beaten a nose in the 2025 renewal by The Jukebox Man. Last seen third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. Will need good ground and has serious stamina concerns.
Carries 11st, 11lbs.
4 – Grangeclare West, Willie Mullins, 10-year-old
Unlucky third in the 2025 Grand National when making a mistake at the last fence. Fourth in the Savills Chase but well beaten in the Irish Gold Cup. Triumphed in the Bobbyjo Chase when last seen – I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett won that en route to Aintree success.
Carries 11st, 10lbs.
5 – Gerri Colombe, Gordon Elliott, 10-year-old
Formerly smart but plagued with injuries. Second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2023 behind Galopin Des Chaps but below par this year. Beaten by Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo but won the race which Nick Rockett was third in when last seen.
Carries 11st, 10lbs.
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6 – Haiti Couleurs, Rebecca Curtis, nine-year-old
Welsh Grand National winner with top weight and 2025 Irish Grand National winner. Pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup latest. Perhaps would want soft/softer ground. Stamina should not be an issue.
Carries 11st, 10lbs.
7 – Spillane’s Tower, James Joseph Mangan, eight-year-old
Formerly smart but campaigned weirdly. Won at Cheltenham last time out against L’Homme Presse on return to chasing after a couple of hurdle starts. Stamina is a big question.
Carries 11st, 8lbs.
8 – L’Homme Presse, Venetia Williams, 11-year-old
Last seen fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Formerly smart but maybe age has the better of him. Arrives here less well travelled than usual, so things might be difficult.
Carries 11st, 8lbs.
9 – Firefox, Gordon Elliott, nine-year-old
Sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and fourth in the Irish equivalent. Was not far behind Iroko earlier in the year but has stamina queries.
Carries 11st, 4lbs.
10 – Monty’s Star, Henry De Bromhead, nine-year-old
Last seen sixth in the Irish Gold Cup and fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year. Down the field in the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey for those who know) but carried top weight. Potentially could have been campaigned for this.
Carries 11st, 3lbs.
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11 – Spanish Harlem, Willie Mullins, eight-year-old
Pulled up in the Bobbyjo latest, perhaps disappointingly. Fell with the race at his mercy in the Thyestes Chase (a good National trial). Sixth over four miles in the Scottish National in 2024 and carried out in last year’s renewal. Will stay, jumping potentially an issue. Interesting.
Carries 11st, 3lbs.
12 – Lecky Watson, Willie Mullins, eight-year-old
Absolutely no form in Group One territory this year since winning the three-mile novice chase at Cheltenham last year. Seems like he is a stayer, but he is a front runner. If he goes off, discount him at your peril.
Carries 11st, 2lbs.
13 – Champ Kiely, Willie Mullins, 10-year-old
Beat Ballyburn in the three-mile novice chase at Punchestown but below par this year. Nowhere in G1 company but might have been laid out for this. Hard to be confident though.
Carries 11st, 1lb.
14 – Iroko, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, eight-year-old
A major player. Fourth in the 2025 National and made a terrible mistake at the 25th (Valentine’s). No secret he has been trained with this in mind. Had an easy enough run at Cheltenham in the Ultima on his latest run.
Carries 11st, 1lb.
15 – Favori De Champdou, Gordon Elliott, 11-year-old
Gone down the Tiger Roll route for the same connections. Second in the cross-country at Cheltenham and landed a big handicap at Leopardstown in December. Age could beat him here, but he certainly stays.
Carries 11st, 1lb.
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16 – Three Card Brag, Gordon Elliott, nine-year-old
Probably didn’t see the race out last year and that could be a concern again. Was second in the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey) which is always a good guideline. Could have the quality and he is experienced over the fences. Needs to get home, however.
Carries 11st.
17 – Oscars Brother, Conor King, eight-year-old
A novice, and they very rarely win the National. Rule The World the last to do so in 2016 and he was the first since 1958. Made a habit of winning this year but had no chance against Kitzbuhel at Cheltenham. Unexposed but has to go against the record books.
Carries 10st, 13lbs.
18 – Mr Vango, Ms Sara Bradstock, 10-year-old
Dour stayer but only on soft/softer ground. If the ground is good, he probably will not run. Highly unlucky when second by a nose in the Becher Chase so can handle the fences. All about the ground.
Carries 10st, 12lbs.
19 – High Class Hero, Willie Mullins, nine-year-old
Made a habit of winning early on in his career but has been difficult recently. Pulled up on his last two in handicaps but carried large weights. Was third over three miles and four furlongs at Sandown and should stay. Interesting.
Carries 10st, 11lbs.
20 – Stellar Story, Gordon Elliott, nine-year-old
Stamina questions but did beat King George VI winner The Jukebox Man over fences at Cheltenham. Seems like any ground better than soft would be an issue.
Carries 10st, 11lbs.
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21 – Beauport, Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies, 10-year-old
Was 12th in the National last year and should not have stamina concerns. His recent performances have been underwhelming, and it would be a surprise to see him be competitive.
Carries 10st, 11lbs.
22 – French Dynamite, Eric McNamara, 11-year-old
Has some good form from yesteryear, but he is 11 now and it seems a big ask for him to see out a well-run 4m2f.
Carries 10st, 10lbs.
23 – Captain Cody, Willie Mullins, eight-year-old
Impressive winner of the four-mile Scottish National last year and has some relatively good form. Fences could be a worry, but he will stay and should like the ground.
Carries 10st, 10lbs.
24 – Jagwar, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, seven-year-old
One of the favourites, could even go off favourite. Luckless winner at Cheltenham when he should have won but jumped terribly, which might be a worry. He has the class and might well have been trained for this, but jumping is an issue. He has only gone over three miles once (last time at Cheltenham) so the stamina for four miles is a massive question.
Carries 10st, 10lbs.
25 – Perceval Legallois, Gavin Cromwell, nine-year-old
Fell in the race last year when 10/1 and has only run twice since. Pulled up in the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey) and was fourth to the Ryanair Chase winner at Tramore on New Year’s Day. Maybe does not deserve to be a current 50/1.
Carries 10st, 9lbs.
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26 – Gorgeous Tom, Henry De Bromhead, eight-year-old
Fourth in the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey) and the saying normally goes that whoever finishes there, wins the National. Could be a housewife’s favourite also. Stamina queries but worth keeping an eye on.
Carries 10st, 9lbs.
27 – The Real Whacker, Patrick Neville, 10-year-old
Has had spells over hurdles this campaign but was fifth and fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George, respectively, the year before. Should stay, should jump. Maybe age is against him but would be a fairytale for Patrick Neville.
Carries 10st, 9lbs.
28 – Quai De Bourbon, Willie Mullins, seven-year-old
Pulled up in handicaps this year but has had to shoulder top-weights. Not beaten far last time when conceding weight in a listed race. Third in the 2025 Irish Grand National. Possibilities but would be worried about jumping ability if pace is strong.
Carries 10st, 9lbs.
29 – Answer To Kayf, Terence O’Brien, 10-year-old
Sixth behind Shanbally Kid in a 3m6f handicap last year and has some good form this year, including a big handicap win at Navan in November. Maybe would prefer soft/softer ground but should stay.
Carries 10st, 8lbs.
30 – Jordans, Joseph O’Brien, seven-year-old
Second in a Grade One at Aintree behind Caldwell Potter and probably a stayer in the making. Has had to carry some heavy weights this year, which suggests it has been about getting his mark down for this. Also entered in the Scottish National.
Carries 10st, 8lbs.
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31 – Now Is The Hour, Gavin Cromwell, nine-year-old
Should stay but is yet to see out any race further than 3m1f. He has run well in handicaps this year but seemingly would need softer ground. Perhaps a tad too unreliable for this race.
Carries 10st, 7lbs.
32 – Final Orders, Gavin Cromwell, 10-year-old
Cross-country specialist who won the big event at Cheltenham. He surely stays and should act well on any ground. He fell at Valentine’s on his only start over these fences in the Topham Trophy a few years back.
Carries 10st, 5lbs.
33 – Marble Sands, David Killahena & Graeme McPherson, 10-year-old
Has some pretty good form down the lines behind some nice Grade One horses. Won over 3m3f at Cheltenham in November and has better stamina queries than most. Not seen since second to Konfusion in December. Was 12th in the Topham last year, not liking Canal Turn.
Carries 10st 5lbs.
34 – Panic Attack, Dan Skelton, 10-year-old
Impressive winner of the Paddy Power handicap at Cheltenham in November, then even more so when making light work of the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey). That form puts her in with a major shout. Third at Cheltenham festival to Dinoblue in the Mares’ Chase but that was too short and a prep for this race. Fences are a question, but stamina is the main worry.
Carries 10st, 5lbs.
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