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.
14:30 – 3m1f William Hill Handicap Chase
Leave Of Absence, Sam Twiston-Davies, Anthony Honeyball, 12st 0lbs
Likeable performer who can never be discounted. Top weight is not nice and was held by Lookaway when last at Aintree.
Lookaway, Jack Quinlan, Neill King, 12st 0lbs
Also has top weight but is a smart performer. Likes Aintree and was third in a G1 Novices’ Hurdle here two years ago. Cannot be discounted.
Konfusion, Gavin Sheehan, Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith, 12st 0lbs
Smart performer who wasn’t 100 per cent at Haydock. Fell at Cheltenham but was progressive before that. Perhaps thoughts could be on next season.
Bad, Ben Jones, Ben Pauling, 11st 12lbs
Consistent performer and a punter’s nightmare. He mostly seems to save his best for Kempton. Tries a new trip today but has his eccentricities.
Ain’t That A Shame, Jack Andrews, Tom Ellis, 11st 11lbs
Fell heavily on his comeback after two years off. Formerly smart but does not inspire confidence.
Cruz Control, Stan Sheppard, Tom Lacey, 11st 9lbs
Fan favourite. Won this race two years straight and is only a pound higher this time around from last year. Likes Aintree and always gives a good account of himself.
Deep Cave, Jack Tudor, Christian Williams, 11st 9lbs
Arrived late to win over three miles at Ascot and won on this card last year, albeit over hurdles. Interesting for that but more is needed.
Brave Fortune, JJ Slevin, Joseph O’Brien, 11st 7lbs
Was pretty good last year and has only had two runs for Joseph O’Brien. Could be anything in that respect.
Uncle Bert, Toby McCain-Mitchell (5), Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies, 11st 6lbs
Won here early on in the season but perhaps could be too high in the weights for this. He would also need soft ground, with all his wins coming on that.
In Love, Jordan Gainford, Hugo Merienne, 11st 3lbs
French horse that was seventh in their National last year. Beaten out of sight in that and in other top-class races. Probably needs more in this and will need soft.
Stolen Silver, Ms Olive Nicholls (5), Georgina Nicholls, 11st 2lbs
No chance, really. Will be an almighty shock if was to win.
Josh The Boss, James Nield (7), Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies, 11st 0lbs
Formerly had some good form but is going the wrong way for a race of this calibre. Might enjoy the step back down from three miles.
Mr Hope Street, Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, 10st 13lbs
Skelton horse who has some very good form. Yet to get across the line but this could have been the plan all along.
Glengouly, Sean Bowen, Faye Bramley, 10st 12lbs
Was third here in November but has pulled up in his last three, which is a major worry.
Chance Another One, Donagh Meyler, Emmett Mullins, 10st 12lbs
Has something to find on the form but Emmett Mullins is a Grand National–winning trainer (Nobel Yeats) and he and Donagh Meyler won the Irish National last week.
15:05 – 3m Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
Doddiethegreat, Sam Twiston-Davies, Nicky Henderson, 11st 10lbs
Had his chances at Graded level and they have passed him by. Would be a big-priced winner if he did oblige.
Hewick, Paddy Hanlon, John “Shark” Hanlon, 11st 10lbs
Former King George VI Chase winner and fan favourite. Perhaps age has the better of him now at 11.
Hiddenvalley Lake, Darragh O’Keefe, Henry De Bromhead, 11st 10lbs
Won this race last year but has been nowhere in his two starts this season. Every chance they have been working back from this.
Home By The Lee, JJ Slevin, Joseph, O’Brien, 11st 10lbs
Stayers’ Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival. Record at Aintree is horrendous, pulling up the last two times.
Honesty Policy, Mark Walsh, Gordon Elliott, 11st 10lbs
Won here last year and is not as battle-hardened as the rest. Could be better now on a flat track, which he won on last year.
Impose Toi, Nico De Boinville, Nicky Henderson, 11st 10lbs
Pulled up at Cheltenham in the Stayers’ but was looking the dominant force before that, beating all comers. Also has a good record at Aintree.
Jingko Blue, James Bowen, Nicky Henderson, 11st 10lbs
Scooted home in a handicap at the Festival and was not far behind the very smart Kabral Du Mathan before that. Nico De Boinville prefers Impose Toi.
Strong Leader, Sean Bowen, Olly Murphy, 11st 10lbs
Has a good record in this, second last year and won it in 2024. Was disappointing at Cheltenham in January but skipped the festival. Suggests another good showing is upon us.
Air Of Entitlement, Jack Kennedy, Henry De Bromhead, 11st 3lbs
Won a handicap at the Festival and was pretty impressive. Steps up to three miles here, which is a big ask against these. Jack Kennedy seems to prefer this one over Hiddenvalley Lake.
Lavida Adiva, Harry Cobden, Ruth Jefferson, 11st 3lbs
Second in one of the big handicaps at Cheltenham but needs to improve dramatically to win this.
Take No Chances, Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, 11st 3lbs
No chance behind Wodhooh at Cheltenham but was not far behind Strong Leader and Impose Toi earlier this year. Needs more though.
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5:00 – 2m1f National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2)
Barachiel, Robert Dunne, Robert Stephens, 11st 4lbs
Has done nothing in three starts so would be a very surprising winner.
Bass Hunter, Harry Cobden, Chris Gordon, 11st 4lbs
Unlucky at Cheltenham when just nabbed in the final furlong. Is a front runner and will go off like a bat. Could be hard to catch over a flat Aintree track.
Chicker, Jonathan Burke, Fergal O’Brien, 11st 4lbs
Was nowhere in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham Festival and was poor the time before. Hard to see him featuring.
Cooltobecareless, Tristan Durrell, Dan Skelton, 11st 4lbs
Not done much wrong and is a Skelton horse for Highclere. Issue would be the quality of what he has beaten, which does not inspire confidence.
Forthfactor, Ms Heidi Palin, Dan Skelton, 11st 4lbs
Not a bad sort at all but has seven lengths to make up on Bass Hunter, who has improved since.
Governors Rock, James Bowen, Warren Greatrex, 11st 4lbs
Was decent in two starts in Ireland but was last of 10 at Newbury. Hard to see him turning that around.
Le Roi Remi, Jack Andrews, Tom Ellis, 11st 4lbs
Hard to be sure of his abilities. Was impressive at Sandown but poor afterwards. Could be a sit-and-watch for him.
Look Me, Paul Townend, Willie Mullins, 11st 4lbs
Willie Mullins’ horse in a bumper. Won his sole start for Mullins and Paul Townend takes the ride, which he does not normally do in bumpers. Could be smart.
Makingplansfor, Gavin Sheehan, David Evans, 11st 4lbs
Two second-placed finishes are not that bad, but his ninth at Cheltenham earlier this season suggests he will need to find more.
Merry Away, Lorcan Williams, Ben Pauling, 11st 4lbs
Again, hard to be sure of him. Was not taking on his debut and the form is not anything to write home about. Hard to side with any confidence.
Moments Away, Sam Twiston-Davies, Martin Keighley, 11st 4lbs
Never been out of the top three and is consistent in that respect but is yet to win. Seems like more would be needed to taste victory here.
One Knight, Jack Tudor, Emma Lavelle, 11st 4lbs
Impressive on his two starts for Emma Lavelle and Jack Tudor now takes over the ride. He is improving and has more claims than most in this.
Rices Pool, Ben Jones, Ben Pauling, 11st 4lbs
Ben Jones takes the ride on him over Merry Away. Is a winner but he was not impressive that day and again, just think more is needed to beat Bass Hunter and Look Me.
Risky Obsession, Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, 11st 4lbs
Sixth in a good race at Newbury and Harry Skelton rides. Was tailed off sixth though and seemingly did not quicken fast enough. That could have been the heavy ground and two wins prior were pretty good.
Ronnie Russet, Sean Quinlan, Jedd O’Keeffe, 11st 4lbs
Won his last two and was impressive in doing so. He has a good turn of foot and is a front runner, which normally bodes well but it is hard to see him beating Bass Hunter in that regard.
Smile John Boy, Charlie Hammond, Ben Pauling, 11st 4lbs
Has form to find with Risky Obsession and is a hardy sort. Just maybe is behind a few of these.
Thelastmanfrompenr, Sean Bowen, Laura Morgan, 11st 4lbs
Won his sole start so is unexposed. That was not a fantastic race, and it was on heavy ground. If it rains, he could be in with a shout but that is only based on the ground.
The Perfect Poet, Callum Pritchard, Ben Pauling, 11st 4lbs
Won well on his debut at Fontwell and could be anything. A worry that Ben Jones rides Rices Pool instead though.
Merlin Allen, Ciaran Gethings, Jane Williams, 10st 10lbs
Is a course and distance winner in impressive style. Was given far too much to do when third to Fine Shot. Not sure why he’s currently 33/1 – might take that price myself.
Nightflyer, Jonjo O’Neill Jnr, Jonjo & AJ O’Neill, 10st 10lbs
Could be anything but form does not inspire confidence. Done nothing in his two starts for the O’Neills and is very hard to fancy in a deep race like this.
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