Grand National runners confirmed for 2026 and complete form guide

Grand National runners ridden away from the start at Aintree — The final field of 34 starters has been declared.

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The Grand National runners and riders for 2026 are looking ahead to what is billed as the world’s greatest steeplechase. The £1m Randox Grand National takes place every April at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside.

The historic race was first run in 1839, when the aptly named Lottery was crowned the first-ever Grand National winner and legendary horses, trainers and jockeys have been making sporting history in the 4m 2f contest ever since.

Trained in Co Carlow by Willie Mullins who 12 months ago saddled the first three in the National, with this horse splitting stablemates Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West. All three try again and are similarly weighted. I Am Maximus won the race in 2024 and his form has barely deteriorated, but now 10 he is not getting quicker. A likely top-six finisher who can add to the £1.1m he has won in prize money.

Presents those who fancy a flutter with a conundrum, because he is high class, but does he have the stamina for a Grand National? His dam’s half-brother tried and failed, but if Banbridge gets into a rhythm on his first attempt over these fences he should run well. Recent form includes being beaten by the length of a flared nostril in Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase before another good effort at the Cheltenham Festival.

“A brilliant jumper” according to top jockey Paul Townend, and ran a scorcher when third in this race last year. Four further defeats followed, but in February he won Fairyhouse’s Bobbyjo Chase, a noted Grand National trial and in which he defeated no fewer than seven horses who are set to reoppose him at Aintree. Has 2lb more on his back than last year, but with luck in running he should be thereabouts again.

One of five likely runners in the race by stallion Walk In The Park, and while unlikely to find his Grand National attempt reflects his sire’s name he could give a good account. Outclassed in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup (just beaten for fifth by L’Homme Presse), but in 20 races has never fallen and often performs with credit against talented rivals. Stamina could be an issue and hard to envisage him out-foxing these rivals.

An interesting contender from a yard chock-full of talent, although two of his three most recent runs have been disappointing. However, in the middle of two pulled-up efforts he looked set to land January’s Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, only to unseat his young jockey at the final fence when in front. Rewind to September and he won the Kerry National (Three Card Brag second), just reward for some solid performances.

It’s hard to envisage this one becoming champ on Saturday given doubts over his stamina plus heavy defeats in his two most recent races, albeit he was facing some of the cream of Ireland’s talent. Attempts at races over three miles have been inconclusive (slipped up in one race and then outgunned in Irish Gold Cup) and his best run this season was over two miles. The National is more than twice that distance.

Taking the Tiger Roll route to the National, this horse has been running in cross-country races this season and has proved his talent. In-between three races around Cheltenham’s obstacle course (runner-up at the Festival) he beat 27 rivals in a handicap chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, so he jumps well and can cope with hurly-burly. On recent trends his age is against him (four 11-year-old winners this century), but he’s not dismissed.

In terms of horsepower this runner represents a huge owner and a tiny trainer, for former apprentice jockey Connor King has just two racehorses in his Tipperary yard. This one was bought by JP McManus in November following a win at Punchestown and he soon added another victory at Navan. Recent fourth at Cheltenham Festival was a top effort when he might have preferred softer ground. Still a novice, but classy and progressive.

A triple “National” winner, albeit the Devon, London and Midlands versions do not carry the kudos or prize money associated with the Aintree edition. But this big horse has lots of stamina and the ability to handle mud – if the ground dries out he may be withdrawn. Excellent second over Aintree’s National fences in December’s Becher Chase, but two curiously poor runs since temper enthusiasm.

This big young horse might start favourite, for he has developed a Grand National profile with a series of good races. Yet to try a marathon, but stepped up to three miles at Cheltenham last month and ran a cracking race when second of 22 runners. Had won a shorter race at the meeting last year. Favourable weight on his back, locally trained, and if coping with the unique fences should give a good account.

After two good victories this horse arrived at Aintree 12 months’ ago with a right chance… only to fall at the ninth. He has run below par twice since then, pulling up in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup (which was won by Panic Attack) and was subsequently a well-beaten fourth at Tramore in January. His canny trainer could have him back on track, but he started 10/1 for last year’s race and will be a much bigger price this time.

Should be a popular selection with Toms, and looks promising. This horse ran a very good, if not gorgeous, race when fourth to Panic Attack in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup when conceding 15lb to the mare – he now has to carry just 4lb more. Warmed up for Saturday when finishing fifth of 16 at Leopardstown last month, and while his stamina is unknown his dam was a half-sister to National runner-up Cappa Bleu.

This former Cheltenham Festival winner (in a Grade One race) has been mixing it with the best for some time, and was fourth to subsequent Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior over Aintree’s Mildmay Course a year ago. This season has been geared around the National, so a mix of hurdle and chase starts. Nicely weighted on his best form, has a touch of class and could out-run what are likely to be big odds.

Twelve months ago was out of luck at Cheltenham (unseated rider) and Aintree (brought down) in Grade One novice chases, but then ran a big race when third (beaten nearly 10 lengths) to Haiti Couleurs in the Irish National. Conceded 7lb to the winner on that occasion, but now receives 15lb so weighted to reverse the placings. The National defies the laws of racing and handicapping, but this horse is not ruled out completely.

Comes from a relatively small yard in Cork, but ran a big race when fourth to Grangeclare West in February’s Bobbyjo Chase, a classic trial for Aintree. Now receiving 16lb from the winner and weighted to get very close if not beat him, assuming he handles quicker ground and the National fences. Has completed all his 17 races to date, and for some he could be the answer to Aintree’s annual April puzzle.

Is there nothing Kilkenny-based Joseph O’Brien can’t do? Dual Derby-winning and champion jockey before turning to training and saddling 1,000 winners in six seasons, he has landed big races worldwide, including two Melbourne Cups. Now the greatest test of his skills, the Grand National. His representative on Saturday not an obvious winner and stamina yet to be proved, but only seven and has bits of form which suggest he is not without hope.

This horse has become a talented obstacle-course performer this season, running a fine race when third over Punchestown’s banks course in November and then gaining two wins from three runs around Cheltenham’s cross-country course. Showed his current wellbeing when convincing winner at last month’s Festival, has fallen just once in 51 jumps races and not short of stamina. His backers will be staying for final orders at the bar if he wins on Saturday.

This could be the horse to button up Dan Skelton’s bid to land the trainer’s championship for the first time. While many mares of her age are several babies down and being lined up for their next stallion, she is proving a very progressive chaser with convincing November wins at Cheltenham and Newbury in prestigious races. Good third at last month’s Festival, light weight on her back, might give the bookies a panic attack.

Won a chase at Carlisle in October 2024, then over 18 months he put together a string of placed efforts – often meeting talented rivals – without winning. All that changed in grand style when, after an operation to improve his wind (breathing), he beat Jagwar no less at last month’s Cheltenham Festival. We will all know who Johnny is if winning the National, and it would cap a long and dedicated career for his 39-year-old jockey.

This former point-to-pointer gave his young jockey – whose mother owns the horse – a memorable first Grand National ride last year when jumping round and finishing tenth. The experience did the partnership no harm, for they won a chase at Sandown in November and then landed Aintree’s Becher Chase over the National fences in December. The National is a notch above, and at the age of 11 it is hard to see Twig winning.

A game win at Kilbeggan in July was followed by a sound effort when fourth in the famous Galway Plate, but Amirite was subsequently well behind in a cross-country race and then pulled up over hurdles last month. He was fourth in last year’s Topham Chase over the National fences and he performs well without winning, and I believe I’m right in concluding it might be the same if he gets a run on Saturday.

Provided his then owner/rider David Maxwell with a memorable Grand National experience with sixth in the 2024 race won by I Am Maximus. When Maxwell retired and dispersed his horses at auction last year this one was bought for £40,000 and joined Tom Ellis. Just one run since when falling at Kelso’s final fence in February. Given his age and light preparation he seems up against it if getting a run.

The winner last year when enjoying a trouble-free lead-up to the race before scoring in some style. Had a few niggly issues this season and has therefore run just once, but it was a pleasing effort when third at Down Royal behind Gerri Colombe, who is also in Saturday’s line-up. Still only nine and probably at or near his peak, but back-to-back winners of this race are rare, and he carries 3lb more this time.

Bred by The late Queen, this horse was a capable Flat racer who became a high-class novice hurdler and reached the places in three visits to the Cheltenham Festival. When, two years ago, his owners at that time had a clear-out sale he changed hands for €570,000 and soon won three novice chases, but it’s been lean pickings since, and falls in his two most recent races are worrying. Seems unlikely to call the tune.

Trained by the youthful Jimmy Mangan, 70, who is based in Co Cork and who 23 years ago saddled Monty’s Pass to win the National under Barry Geraghty. In this horse he has another grand candidate who is the right age, has never fallen and showed his wellbeing with a Cheltenham victory in January (L’Homme Presse second). Soft ground would help Spillane Tower’s cause – was withdrawn from the Gold Cup due to drying ground.

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Carl Evans is an experienced freelance journalist who specialises in horse racing, bloodstock and point-to-point.

He is a Horse & Hound columnist, sharing his views on events and current issues in the sports, as well as racing tips for big meetings and expert insight for form guides.

Carl has also been a regular contributor to Racing Post, The Owner Breeder and European Bloodstock News.

Grand National 2026 runners form guide

1. I Am Maximus

3. Banbridge

4. Grangeclare West

5. Gerri Colombe

6. Haiti Couleurs

8. Firefox

9. Monty’s Star

10. Spanish Harlem

11. Lecky Watson

12. Champ Kiely

13. Iroko

14. Favori De Champdou

15. Three Card Brag

16. Oscars Brother

17. Mr Vango

18. High Class Hero

19. Stellar Story

20. Beauport

21. Captain Cody

22. Jagwar

23. Perceval Legallois

24. Gorgeous Tom

25. The Real Whacker

26. Quai De Bourbon

27. Answer To Kayf

28. Jordans

29. Final Orders

30. Marble Sands

31. Panic Attack

32. Top Of The Bill

33. Johnnywho

34. Twig

36. Imperial Saint

37. Amirite

Grand National reserve runners

38. Ain’t That A Shame

39. Deep Cave

40. Buddy One

Grand National withdrawals

2. Nick Rockett – withdrawn on Thursday 9 April due to a cough

35. Pied Piper

7. Spillane’s Tower

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