The Grand National is here with Aintree hosting a festival of jump racing and the biggest race in the calendar.
Last year saw a thrilling race with Nick Rockett triumphing to beat the defending champion I Am Maximus. Legendary horse racing trainer Willie Mullins will hope to triumph once again after his son, Patrick, was able to join the family celebrations by guiding Nick Rockett – a 33/1 shot on betting sites – to victory.
This year sees I Am Maximus return, with a great chance of two wins in three years, and jockey Paul Townend is back in the saddle, having clinched glory with the JP McManus-owned horse in 2024.
Townend, who saddled Gaelic Warrior to Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham last month, has not partnered up with I am Maximus in his three races since, but will do so for the National with Patrick Mullins being given his dad’s other fancied shot Grangeclare West as his ride this year.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s race:
When and where is the Grand National 2026?
The Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, 11 April, with the race starting at 4pm BST.
How can I watch the Grand National 2026?
You can watch the race on ITV1 with ITV Racing broadcasting the racing throughout the week, with three days of action for fans to get stuck into.
Who are the runners and riders for the Grand National 2026?
The field was made official with Wednesday morning’s final declarations, as a full field of 34 horses was announced. Reigning Grand National champion Nick Rockett will not compete after being declared a non-runner on Thursday morning due to a cough, while Spillane’s Tower and Pied Piper also pulled out.
Horse; jockey; trainer
- 1. I Am Maximus; Paul Townend; Willie Mullins
- 3. Banbridge; JJ Slevin; Joseph O’Brien
- 4. Grangeclare West; Patrick Mullins; Willie Mullins
- 5. Gerri Colombe; Jack Kennedy; Gordon Elliott
- 6. Haiti Couleurs; Sean Bowen; Rebecca Curtis
- 7. Spillane’s Tower; Sean Bowen; Jimmy Mangan
- 8. Firefox; Keith Donoghue; Gordon Elliott
- 9. Monty’s Star; Darragh O’Keeffe; Henry de Bromhead
- 10. Spanish Harlem; Brian Hayes; Willie Mullins
- 11. Lecky Watson; Sean O’Keeffe; Willie Mullins
- 12. Champ Kiely; Danny Mullins; Willie Mullins
- 13. Iroko; Jonjo O’Neill Jr; Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- 14. Favori De Champdou; Danny Gilligan; Gordon Elliott
- 15. Three Card Brag; Jordan Rainford; Gordon Elliott
- 16. Oscars Brother; Daniel King; Connor King
- 17. Mr Vango; Jack Tudor; Sara Bradstock
- 18. High Class Hero; James Bowen; Willie Mullins
- 19. Stellar Story; Robert Dunne; Gordon Elliott
- 20. Beauport; Sam Twiston-Davies; Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- 21. Captain Cody; Jonathan Burke; Willie Mullins
- 22. Jagwar; Mark Walsh; Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- 23. Perceval Legallois; Harry Cobden; Gavin Cromwell
- 24. Gorgeous Tom; Sean Flanagan; Henry de Bromhead
- 25. The Real Whacker; Gavin Sheehan; Patrick Neville
- 26. Quai De Bourbon; Donagh Meyler; Willie Mullins
- 27. Answer To Kayf; John Shinnick; Terence O’Brien
- 28. Jordans; Ben Jones; Joseph O’Brien
- 29. Final Orders; Conor Stone-Walsh; Gavin Cromwell
- 30. Marble Sands; Kielan Woods; David Killahena & Graeme McPherson
- 31. Panic Attack; Harry Skelton; Dan Skelton
- 32. Top Of The Bill; Toby McCain-Mitchell; Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- 33. Johnnywho; Richie McLernon; Jonjo & A J O’Neill
- 34. Twig; Beau Morgan; Ben Pauling
- 36. Imperial Saint; Callum Pritchard; Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
- 37. Amirite; Phillip Enright; Henry de Bromhead
Who are the favourites?
I Am Maximus 7/1
Grangeclare West 8/1
Jagwar 8/1
Panic Attack 8/1
Johnnywho 10/1
Montys Star 12/1
Iroko 14/1
Oscars Brother 14/1
Captain Cody 18/1
Haiti Couleurs 20/1
Racing schedule and times
Saturday 11 April – Grand National
12:45 – Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m
13:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3m ½f
13:55 – Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
14:30 – William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f
15:05 – Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
16:00 – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) 4m 2½f
17:00 – Weatherbys Nhstallions.Co.Uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f
