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.
12:45 – 2m Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Alnilam, Sean Bowen, Olly Murphy, 11st 7lbs
Won at Cheltenham earlier on in the season but has struggled since stepping up to graded company. He has been absent since January and despite being the mount of champion jockey Sean Bowen, this seems difficult.
Be Aware, Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, 11st 7lbs
Has some decent form this year, including second in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase behind Lulamba. Has to bounce back from a poor performance in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival and this is a harder race.
King Of Kingsfield, Danny Gilligan, Gordon Elliott, 11st 7lbs
Won three of his first five chases but recent form has not been brilliant. Hasn’t been seen since tailing off against Wendigo at Newbury in November.
Mighty Bandit, James Bowen, Warren Greatrex, 11st 7lbs
Three from four over fences, including a 17-length demolition job at Doncaster last time out. Certainly improving and although this is harder, the Doncaster performance was taking. If he continues improving, he can win this.
Mirabad, Tristan Durrell, Dan Skelton, 11st 7lbs
Has some form behind No Questions Asked and the smart Steel Ally, but his performance at Bangor when last seen was poor and he would be another shock winner here.
No Questions Asked, Ben Jones, Ben Pauling, 11st 7lbs
Poor performance in the Plate handicap at the Cheltenham Festival but he had a large weight to carry. Has very good form with Be Aware and a drop back to two miles could help his cause. Surely will be there at the end.
Salvator Mundi, Paul Townend, Willie Mullins, 11st 7lbs
One of the favourites. Has been frustrating and his jumping has plagued him but he is talented. Won by 28 lengths at Thurles when last seen and annihilated top novice chaser Romeo Coolio at Aintree last year. A return to this track, plus missing Cheltenham, could put him back on the winning path.
Kala Conti, Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott, 11st 0lbs
Also a big player. Should be suited back down at two miles after chasing home Sixmilebridge in the G1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown. Obliterated the subsequent Arkle Chase winner Kargese at Cork when winning by 16 lengths. In receipt of weight also and will serve it up to Salvator Mundi.
13:20 – 3m William Hill Handicap Hurdle
Jeriko Du Reponet, Nico de Boinville, Nicky Henderson, 12st 0lbs
Proving costly to follow and Kim Muir performance was highly disappointing. Reverts back to hurdles for the first time since winning at Punchestown.
Supremely West, Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, 11st 11lbs
Absolutely hosed home at the Cheltenham Festival and despite a 9lbs rise, he can very easily double up here. The Skeltons are in good form and 9lbs might not be too much of a penalty.
Eagle Fang, Patrick M O’Brien, William Durkan, 11st 10lbs
Probably has too much of a large weight and his last couple of performances have been poor. That being said, he does have good form and has won at a big meeting before. Does not deserve to be a large price.
Harbour Lake, Tom Bellamy, Alan King, 10st 9lbs
Has a decent record at Aintree but that is pretty much his only positive. Would be a poignant winner carrying the colours of former Grand National winner Many Clouds (Trevor Hemmings).
Chart Topper, Brian Hayes, Willie Mullins, 11st 7lbs
Costly to follow and this does not seem like it will be his day. Could well be exposed and is good on his day but too unreliable.
Ace Of Spades, Sam Twiston-Davies, Dan Skelton, 11st 6lbs
Won here before and has some form behind better horses than he faces in this field. Was a way behind Supremely West at Cheltenham but entitled to bounce back. Sam Twiston-Davies is an interesting jockey booking. Would be interesting at a large price.
Minella Rescue, Ben Jones, Gary Hanmer, 11st 3lbs
Second in the G1 Novices’ Hurdle last year at 50/1. Done nothing of note since but still interesting off that performance.
Wade Out, Gavin Sheehan, Olly Murphy, 11st 2lbs
Poor at Cheltenham but perhaps had too much to do. Sixth in a race here last year and might need more today. But certainly should have done better at Cheltenham. Has a lower mark now back over hurdles.
Absolutely Doyen, Harry Cobden, Paul Nicholls, 11st 2lbs
Made a habit of winning this year but found the big handicap at Cheltenham a tad too difficult. Did not disgrace himself and rallied towards the end. Could have claims.
Push The Button, Rian Corcoran (5), Mark Walford, 11st 2lbs
Reverts back to hurdles which is always interesting but would need to improve a lot to feature. That said, he was sixth in this last year.
Kikijo, Callum Pritchard (3), Phillip Hobbs & Johnson White, 11st 2lbs
Strange sort. Won twice this year but was way down the field at Cheltenham. Suggests more is needed today. Would want soft ground after struggles on quicker ground.
Ikarak, Kevin Brogan, Olly Murphy, 11st 1lbs
Absolutely flew home to nab third at Cheltenham at 40/1. Consistent sort but off the basis of that performance, discount at your peril. Sean Bowen has deserted him though.
Good To Be Alive, Jack Kennedy, Olly Murphy, 11st 0lbs
Never been out of the first two for Murphy but this is a lot harder than what he has faced so far. Bowen has looked elsewhere but he is consistent and improving.
Duke Silver, Hugh Horgan (5), Joseph O’Brien, 11st 0lbs
Another one who stayed on at Cheltenham. Joseph O’Brien would not come over for no reason. Won two handicaps in Ireland and is going well. Maybe place claims.
Fortune Timmy, Tom Cannon, Chris Gordon, 10st 13lbs
A novice making his handicap debut. Third to Old Park Star (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner) is terrific form and his race at Cheltenham went completely wrong for him at 80/1. Unknown in this sphere.
Get On George, Jack Tudor, Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith, 10st 13lbs
Was a good second at Sandown when last seen but was disappointing when pulled up before that. Just does not seem the sort to win this. More is needed.
Hold The Serve, Sean Bowen, Olly Murphy, 10st 11lbs
Won three on the bounce after a no show in November. Absent since February and has claims on his performances (could be a lot better than those wins suggested). Should have no qualms upped to three miles. That being said, his poor performance came in a big field.
Bold Endeavour, James Bowen, Nicky Henderson, 10st 11lbs
Nice horse but has a lot to find with Ace Of Spades. Had no extra at Cheltenham and might well see it out today with a flatter surface.
Quantum Quest, JJ Slevin, Henry De Bromhead, 10st 10lbs
Poor at Cork last time but if the ground is good/yielding, then he could be in with a chance. Will not want soft ground at all.
Idem, Patrick Wadge, Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore, 10st 9lbs
Connections like winning at this meeting and he was bang there at Cheltenham before not fully seeing it out. Could be a player if none the worse for that.
Kaka’s Cousin, Jonjo O’Neill Jnr, Jonjo & AJ O’Neill, 10st 9lbs
Was good at Kelso but has form to find with Get On George from Sandown. Connections also like winning here. Can build for that Sandown performance.
Lihyan, William Maggs (3), Rebecca Menzies, 10st 9lbs
Hard to see him winning this. Third to Haiti Couleurs reads well but he was in receipt of loads of weight.
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13:55 – 2m4f Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ballyfad, Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott, 11st 7lbs
Made a habit of winning this year before going down by the narrowest of margins to Talk The Talk in a G1 at Leopardstown. Concern would be that he was a tad disappointing in the Turners’ at the Cheltenham Festival, upped in distance. That said, he was kicked before the start.
Bossman Jack, Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, 11st 7lbs
Made a mess of the last in the aforementioned race at Cheltenham but would have been up the business end if not for that. That performance puts him in with a shout here in a lesser race.
Came From Nowhere, Lorcan Williams, Jeremy Scott, 11st 7lbs
Has ran a few good races but his form is nowhere near some of the main protagonists in this. Travels well but hard to see him first past the post.
Kosac d’Oudairies, Gavin Sheehan, Jamie Snowden, 11st 7lbs
Has some good form behind some nice horses, including runner-up in a Grade 2 at Kelso. But he has a lot to find with Montemares.
Masked Man, JJ Slevin, Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies, 11st 7lbs
Have to respect his connections but raw form is poor. Only defeat came in a Grade 2 which suggests he would need to improve substantially.
Montmares, Stan Sheppard, Tom Lacey, 11st 7lbs
Only defeat came to No Drama This End in the G1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle. Form reads well and connections have history at this meeting. He won over 2m2f at Kelso in a Grade 2 and he can take another step in this.
Onlyforfrankie, Ciaran Gethings, Alastair Ralph, 11st 7lbs
Good early this season but was well and truly beaten in his only foray into Graded company. Needs to improve by 20lbs.
Rooser Crowing, Bryony Frost, Mickael Seror, 11st 7lbs
French Horse and Bryony Frost makes a welcome return. Third in a Grade 2 in France which is decent form but perhaps not brilliant. Would need soft ground also.
Scorpio Rising, Sean Bowen, Olly Murphy, 11st 7lbs
Has form ahead of a few of these and is unbeaten this season. Was impressive when easing to victory at Sandown. Always wary of a bounce effect with horses like him but you never know how good a horse is until he gets beat.
Soldier Reeves, Tristan Durrell, Dan Skelton, 11st 7lbs
Given far too much to do at Cheltenham and probably has the best form in the race. This is easier and there is no hill to climb. Harry Skelton prefers Bossman Jack though.
Zanndabad, Daniel King, Tony Martin, 11st 7lbs
Nightmare of a horse and a handicapper’s worst dream. Been pretty good over hurdles but would need more. Winning this would also kill his handicap mark.
Charisma Cat, Tom Bellamy, Alan King, 11st 0lbs
Has been going well against her own sex and gets weight off most in this. Her only poor performance came at this track, which is a worry.
Lord Byron, Harry Cobden, Faye Bramley, 10st 11lbs
An unknown quantity but was fifth in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle and fourth to Maestro Conti reads well. Stamina is a question and has to reverse form with Montemares.
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