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.

1 – I Am Maximus, Willie Mullins, 10-year-old, 11st 12lbs

The 2024 Grand National winner and 2025 runner-up to Nick Rockett. Has run in three races this year including second in the Savills Chase and fifth in the Irish Gold Cup on his last start. Paul Townend takes the ride, rekindling his partnership.

2 – Nick Rockett, Willie Mullins, nine-year-old, 11st 11lbs

The 2025 Grand National winner and defending champion. Made a belated return at Down Royal in March, beaten six lengths by Gerri Colombe but widely accepted that was a prep. The last winner of the Grand National with only one prep run was Aldaniti in 1981. Tom Bellamy picks up the ride on him.

3 – Banbridge, Joseph O’Brien, 10-year-old, 11st 11lbs

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 might well get that but has serious stamina concerns. JJ Slevin takes the ride.

4 – Grangeclare West, Willie Mullins, 10-year-old, 11st 10lbs

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. Last year’s winning jockey Patrick Mullins is aboard.

5 – Gerri Colombe, Gordon Elliott, 10-year-old, 11st 10lbs

Second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2023 behind Galopin Des Champs but below par this year. Defeated by Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo but won the race which Nick Rockett was third in when last seen. Is the mount of Jack Kennedy.

6 – Haiti Couleurs, Rebecca Curtis, nine-year-old, 11st 10lbs

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. Champion jockey Sean Bowen is booked.

7 – Spillane’s Tower, James Joseph Mangan, eight-year-old, 11st 8lbs

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. Opts for this race instead of the Bowl. Simon Torrens takes over the ride.

8 – Firefox, Gordon Elliott, nine-year-old, 11st 4lbs

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. That could be his only fault. Keith Donoghue rides.

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9 – Monty’s Star, Henry De Bromhead, nine-year-old, 11st 3lbs

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. On the statistics, he is the best jumper in this field. Potentially could have been campaigned for this. Darragh O’Keeffe is booked.

10 – Spanish Harlem, Willie Mullins, eight-year-old, 11st 3lbs

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. Brian Hayes is handed the mount.

11 – Lecky Watson, Willie Mullins, eight-year-old, 11st 2lbs

Poor at the top level this year since winning the three-mile novice chase at Cheltenham last year. Shapes like he is a stayer but is a front runner. Interesting if allowed to do that for the first time since his Cheltenham win. Sean O’Keeffe takes the ride.

12 – Champ Kiely, Willie Mullins, 10-year-old, 11st 1lb

Beat Ballyburn in the three-mile novice chase at Punchestown but below par this year. Never threatening at the top level since but could have been tenderly handled. Danny Mullins takes over the ride.

13 – Iroko, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, eight-year-old, 11st 1lb

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. Performance in the Ultima at Cheltenham can be discounted. Jonjo O’Neill is booked.

14 – Favori De Champdou, Gordon Elliott, 11-year-old, 11st 1lb

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 might well be against him but he will certainly stay. Danny Gilligan gets the call-up.

15 – Three Card Brag, Gordon Elliott, nine-year-old, 11st 0lbs

Probably didn’t see the race out last year and that could be a concern again. Second in the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey) which is always a good guideline. Can handle the fences and is good enough but stamina is a big cause for concern. Jordan Gainford is booked.

16 – Oscars Brother, Conor King, eight-year-old, 10st 13lbs

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. Prolific this year but had no chance against Kitzbuhel at Cheltenham. Unexposed but has to defy history. Daniel King keeps the ride.

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17 – Mr Vango, Ms Sara Bradstock, 10-year-old, 10st 12lbs

Dour stayer but only on soft/softer ground. Highly unlucky when second by a nose in the Becher Chase so can handle the fences. Will not want to see good ground. Jack Tudor has been booked.

18 – High Class Hero, Willie Mullins, nine-year-old, 10st 11lbs

Recent performances have not been inspiring. Pulled up on his last two in handicaps but carried large weights. Third over three miles and four furlongs at Sandown and should stay. James Bowen is his jockey and he could be interesting.

19 – Stellar Story, Gordon Elliott, nine-year-old, 10st 11lbs

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. Does get in this race 2lbs better off from his rating. Robbie Dunne rides.

20 – Beauport, Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies, 10-year-old, 10st 11lbs

Was 12th in the National last year and should not have stamina concerns. Recent performances have been underwhelming, but he is lightly raced and this could have been the plan. Sam Twiston-Davies will partner him.

21 – Captain Cody, Willie Mullins, eight-year-old, 10st 10lbs

Impressive winner of the four-mile Scottish National last year and has been in decent form. He will stay and should like the ground but the fences could perhaps be a concern. Johnathan Burke gets the nod.

22 – Jagwar, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, seven-year-old, 10st 10lbs

One of the favourites. 5lbs well-in on his official rating. Unlucky 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. Has only gone over three miles once (last time at Cheltenham) so the stamina for four miles is a massive question. He is Mark Walsh’s choice.

23 – Perceval Legallois, Gavin Cromwell, nine-year-old, 10st 9lbs

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. His form does not read that badly and JP McManus’ incoming number one jockey, Harry Cobden, will ride.

24 – Gorgeous Tom, Henry De Bromhead, eight-year-old, 10st 9lbs

Fourth in the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey) and the saying normally goes that whoever finishes there wins the National. Might well be popular on the day. Has stamina questions but worth keeping an eye on. He is ridden by Sean Flanagan.

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25 – The Real Whacker, Patrick Neville, 10-year-old, 10st 9lbs

Has had spells over hurdles this campaign but was fifth and fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George, respectively, the year before. Horses who have recently raced over hurdles have a decent record in the National. Should stay, should jump. Maybe age is against him but would be a fairytale for Patrick Neville. Gavin Sheehan is booked.

26 – Quai De Bourbon, Willie Mullins, seven-year-old, 10st 9lbs

Pulled up in handicaps this year but has had to carry top weights. Not beaten far last time when conceding weight in a listed race. Third in the 2025 Irish Grand National. He has a chance now carrying a more suitable weight but a strong pace could be his undoing. Donagh Meyler is aboard.

27 – Answer To Kayf, Terence O’Brien, 10-year-old, 10st 8lbs

Sixth behind Shanbally Kid in a 3m6f handicap last year and has been going well this year, including a big handicap win at Navan in November. Will stay and has always promised a big performance but he may need soft ground. John Shinnick will ride.

28 – Jordans, Joseph O’Brien, seven-year-old, 10st 8lbs

Second in a Grade One here last year behind Caldwell Potter and probably a stayer in the making. He has got his weight down but seven-year-olds have a bad record in this race. Ben Jones takes his second ride in the Grand National.

29 – Final Orders, Gavin Cromwell, 10-year-old, 10st 5lbs

Cross-country specialist who won the big event at Cheltenham. He will stay and any ground should suit. He fell at Valentine’s on his only start over these fences in the Topham Trophy a few years back. Conor Stone-Walsh keeps the ride following their success at Cheltenham.

30 – Marble Sands, David Killahena & Graeme McPherson, 10-year-old, 10st 5lbs

Has some good form down the lines behind some Grade One horses. Won over 3m3f at Cheltenham in November and should handle the distance better than most. Not seen since second to Konfusion in December. Was 12th in the Topham last year, not taking to the Canal Turn. Kielan Woods will partner him.

31 – Panic Attack, Dan Skelton, 10-year-old, 10st 5lbs

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 a worry. Nickel Coin is the sole mare to win the Grand National in 1951, so Panic Attack would have to write her own piece of history. Unsurprisingly, Harry Skelton takes the ride.

32 – Top Of The Bill, Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies, 10-year-old, 10st 5lbs

Second in the Classic Chase at Warwick and should handle extended distances. Acts on most grounds and should give a good account of himself. Toby McCain-Mitchell will take the ride, bidding to extend his family’s historic connection with the race. Grandfather Ginger McCain was trainer of Red Rum and Uncle Donald won the 2011 Grand National with Ballabriggs.

33 – Johnnywho, Jonjo & AJ O’Neill, nine-year-old, 10st 4lbs

Winner of the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, beating Jagwar. He was fifth in the Grand Sefton over these fences and his fifth in the Irish National suggests he should see out the trip. Due to go up 5lbs after this. Richie McLernon keeps the ride after the win at Cheltenham.

34 – Twig, Ben Pauling, 11-year-old, 10st 4lbs

A narrow winner of the Becher Chase over these fences. Was 10th in the race last year and arrives here with less to carry. The only horse in the field eligible for the £500,000 bonus for winning a ‘trial’ race and the Grand National. Beau Morgan will take the ride.

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Reserves

35 – Pied Piper, Gordon Elliott, eight-year-old, 10st 3lbs

The first reserve needs one of the aforementioned to come out of the race. Has fallen on his last two starts but was going pretty well in both. Formerly smart and his run at Cheltenham suggests he will stay. Jumping could be an issue though.

36 – Imperial Saint, Phillip Hobbs & Johnson White, eight-year-old, 10st 2lbs

The second reserve needs two to come out. Down the field in the Ultima but had been going well previously, with some good form. He has a good record around Aintree but has never been over these fences. Callum Pritchard is waiting in the wings for the ride.

37 – Amirite, Henry De Bromhead, 10-year-old, 10st 2lbs

Third reserve, needing three to come out. A seasoned campaigner who perhaps might not be in the same form as he was a couple of years back. Was fourth in the Topham last year over these fences. Has claims but would be a shock winner.

38 – Ain’t That A Shame, Tom Ellis, 12-year-old, 10st 2lbs

Fourth reserve. Sixth in this race two years ago and would carry 10lbs less this time around. Fell on his reappearance at Kelso. Would be a surprise winner. Should he get in, Jack Andrews will ride.

39 – Deep Cave, Christian Williams, eight-year-old, 10st 2lbs

Fifth reserve. Won a handicap hurdle at Aintree last year and is generally consistent. Many questions against him. He has never been over three miles and would need to post a career best to win this.

40 – Buddy One, Paul John Gilligan, nine-year-old, 10st 2lbs

Sixth and final reserve. A smart hurdler who ran runner-up in the Aintree Hurdle on this card two years ago. Not as smart over fences and another who is yet to go over three miles. Hard to see him winning the Grand National.

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