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.
Nick Rockett – 9 years old, 11st 11lbs
The defending champion, Nick Rockett returns to bid to become the first horse since Tiger Roll to go back-to-back in the Grand National.
He has only raced once since winning the Grand National and that was two weeks ago at Down Royal.
Nick Rockett finished third in that race behind Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe but that was merely a prep run.
He has been trained for another crack at this race but if he is to win, he has to defy the history books.
Only Red Rum has carried a weight that heavy and nobody has done so since.
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I Am Maximus – 10yr, 11st 12lbs
Another Mullins Grand National winner, taking the 2024 edition.
Like his aforementioned stablemate, he also has the unenviable task of carrying top-weight.
So, he too will need to do what all-comers since Red Rum have failed to do so.
That being said, he carried 11st, 8lbs to second place last year and his second placed finish in the Savills Chase proves he has the quality.
Despite carrying such a burden, it would be a surprise if he was not to feature again.
Grangeclare West – 10yr, 11st, 10lbs
Again, has to defy the curse of the weight.
But he did win the Bobbyjo Chase on his last start, which his two stablemates before him did en route to National success.
Cheveley Park Stud’s charge was third in the Grand National last year, with an untimely error at the last fence potentially costing him the win.
He leads the ‘what could have been’ charge but maybe last year was his best chance.
Captain Cody – 8yr, 10st 10lbs
Already a National winner, north of the border in Scotland.
His performance in that race last year proved that he can stay four miles.
He fell early on in the Thyestes Chase and was quite far away from Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo.
That might not be the most ideal preparation for a race of this nature but it could be safe to presume he has been trained with this race in mind.
He is yet to experience the National fences, so that is perhaps one question mark against his CV.
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Lecky Watson – 8yr, 11st 2lbs
Perhaps a slight anomaly in this field.
Lecky Watson won the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last year but has yet to kick on from that performance.
He is yet to contest a marathon distance or the National fences but that is not the main question lingering over him.
The eight-year-old seems to be a front-runner, but this year he has yet to command things at the head of the field.
It would be interesting to see how he fairs if he was to assume control of the helm of the National field.
After all, the Grand National does sometimes lend itself to a tearaway.
Quai De Bourbon – 7yr, 10st 9lbs
Gigginstown and Mullins, a fearsome combination.
Quai De Bourbon was third in the Irish Grand National to Haiti Couleurs last year.
He has not had much of a chance to replicate that performance, pulling up in two handicaps subsequently.
Granted, in those races he did have to carry top weight – which is no mean feat.
He had a nice race behind O’Toole to put him on course for the National and he could be well-in for the race.
Spanish Harlem – 8yr, 11st 3lbs
A horse who had competed in marathon events before, Spanish Harlem is intriguing in this one.
He was sixth in the 2024 Scottish National and was carried out the following year.
He pulled up in the Coral Gold Cup (Hennessey, for those who know) but fell in the Thyestes chase with the race at his mercy.
He then pulled up in the Bobbyjo, which was a tad disappointing but the Thyestes is normally a good guide.
It would be unfair to discount him just yet, but jumping is the name of the game.
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High Class Hero – 9yr, 10st 11lbs
Again, another smart novice who has found himself condemned to carrying large weights in handicaps.
His best performance last year came in the bet365 Gold Cup (Whitbred, for those who know).
Granted he had a nice weight to carry that day but he seemed to enjoy the extended distance.
He has performed well on good ground previously and if the rain stays away, that could aid his chances at Aintree.
It could be fair to discount his last performance but the time before, his jumping was an issue and he needs to straighten that out.
Champ Kiely – 10yr, 11st 1lb
A Grade One winner as a novice chaser, defeating Ballyburn at Punchestown, Champ Kiely is yet to hit those heights again.
He has no guarantee to stay nor handle the fences but his form is pretty good.
Fact To File was far too good for him in the Irish Gold Cup and so was Heart Wood at Tramore on New Year’s Day.
Heart Wood won the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on his next start, following Fact To File’s withdrawal from the race.
Granted, he was beaten a long way from those but it still does not read as the worst form in this.
Contrary to this, however, there could be too many questions to answer.
Shanbally Kid – 9yr, 9st 9lbs
The only Mullins horse at present who is not certain to run in the National, needing 19 below him to come out.
He was an impressive winner of an extended handicap over three miles and seven furlongs, last year.
He showed somewhat of a resurgence in the Leinster National but his other performances this year demand more.
Should he run, he will stay but a fast pace would hinder his cause.
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