16:00
Aintree
Grand National 2026: Runners, riders, odds and two free tips including a 28/1 shot
The Grand National is arguably the most famous horse race in the world and the fascinating spectacle even attracts the most casual of punters. This year’s renewal takes place on Day 3 of the Aintree Festival and a full field of 34 has been declared for the race. We’ve assessed the chances of each runner and selected two free tips, one of which is 28/1 shot for Willie Mullins. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Runners, riders and odds
1. I Am Maximus (T: Willie Mullins J: Paul Townend)
He won this race in two seasons ago and ran another stormer to finish second last year. It’ll be rough to regain the title off a mark of 168 but he’s likely to make the frame.
3. Banbridge (T: Joseph O’Brien J: JJ Slevin)
A talented horse on his day, he won the King George back in 2024 but looked like a non-stayer in last year’s Gold Cup. It’s hard to see him seeing out the trip here.
4. Grangeclare West (T: Willie Mullins J: Patrick Mullins)
Warming up for this with victory in the Bobbyjo Chase, that race is proven to be a good trial. He was third last year but will struggle to improve on that off a 3lb higher mark.
5. Gerri Colombe (T: Gordon Elliott J: Jack Kennedy)
Gordon Elliott’s runner took a while to regain his form upon returning from a lengthy injury absence but returned to winning ways at Down Royal last time. A big run wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
6. Haiti Couleurs (T: Rebecca Curtis J: Sean Bowen)
This strong staying type has already won the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals and stamina won’t be a problem for him. Don’t rule him out.
8. Firefox (T: Gordon Elliott J: Keith Donoghue)
Firefox is yet to prove that he can stay three miles, let alone this far, and a mark of 160 makes his task particularly difficult.
9. Monty’s Star (T: Henry de Bromhead J: Darragh O’Keeffe)
This horse has some smart graded form in the book and was second behind Fact To File in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham back in 2024. He’s not without a chance off this sort of mark.
10. Spanish Harlem (T: Willie Mullins J: Brian Hayes)
Another one for Willie Mullins, his completion record is a little sketchy but looked like the winner in the Thyestes. He’ll have a chance if making it round but that’s a big if.
11. Lecky Watson (T: Willie Mullins J: Sean O’Keeffe)
He won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season but the wheels have fallen off since and the eight-year-old looks badly out of form.
12. Champ Kiely (T: Willie Mullins J: Danny Mullins)
Shapes like a non-stayer over this sort of trip as he doesn’t always convince over three miles and it’ll be hard work for him off this sort of mark.
13. Iroko (T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr)
It was a cracking effort from him in this race last year when finishing fourth but he needs to bounce back after a bitterly disappointing display at Cheltenham, despite being well fancied.
14. Favori De Champdou (T: Gordon Elliott J: Danny Gilligan)
He has been in good form on the Cross Country course at Cheltenham this season and he kept on well to finish second at Cheltenham in March. Stamina won’t be an issue and this test will suit.
15. Three Card Brag (T: Gordon Elliott J: Jordan Gainford)
This horse is a fairly useful staying chaser on his day but having been well beaten off a 10lb higher mark last year. it’s difficult to make a compelling case.
16. Oscars Brother (T: Connor King J: Daniel King)
Connor King only trains two horses and this one is a two-time Grade 2-winning novice chaser. We haven’t seen the best of him yet.
17. Mr Vango (T: Sara Bradstock J: Jack Tudor)
He’s a strong stayer and managed to win the Midlands Grand National last season. The fact that he has pulled up in his last two starts is a cause for concern.
18. High Class Hero (T: Willie Mullins J: James Bowen)
This horse has been badly out form for most of the season but would have a chance on the form of his third in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last season.
19. Stellar Story (T: Gordon Elliott J: Robert Dunne)
Stellar Story has been competing in higher grades for the last couple of seasons and is on a nice mark but others are preferred.
20. Beauport (T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies)
Veterans don’t have the best records in recent years and he might be a bit too slow to feature here, although he does stay well.
21. Captain Cody (T: Willie Mullins J: Jonathan Burke)
Last year’s Scottish Grand National winner has been protected a bit this season so it would be no surprise if he goes on to pose a serious challenge.
22. Jagwar (T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero J: Mark Walsh)
JP McManus’ retained rider Mark Walsh has picked Jagwar and you can see why, although there are a couple of occasions where he should have gone on to win his race and has failed to do so.
23. Perceval Legallois (T: Gavin Cromwell J: Harry Cobden)
A faller in this race last year, he returns on a 2lb lower mark on this occasion and could be dangerous, provided he puts in a clear round of jumping.
24. Gorgeous Tom (T: Henry de Bromhead J: Sean Flanagan)
He probably has bit to find and it’s a concern that most of his best form has come over trips shorter than three miles.
25. The Real Whacker (T: Patrick Neville J: Gavin Sheehan)
Patrick Neville’s stable star has some excellent form in the book and looks like a live outsider at a massive price.
26. Quai De Bourbon (T: Willie Mullins J: Donagh Meyler)
Returning to form with a solid third at Leopardstown last time, he also filled the same spot in last year’s Irish equivalent.
27. Answer To Kayf (T: Terence O’Brien J: John Shinnick)
O’Brien’s 10-year-old is a useful handicapper and appears to be on a competitive mark. Stamina could be an issue, as he failed to get home over just shy of four miles at Punchestown last spring.
28. Jordans (T: Joseph O’Brien J: Ben Jones)
Second to Caldwell Potter in a novice chase here last season, his form has fallen apart a bit and it’s hard to be confident.
29. Final Orders (T: Gavin Cromwell J: Conor Stone-Walsh)
Gavin Cromwell’s 10-year-old was an impressive winner of Cheltenham’s Cross Country Chase and looks well treated on that evidence.
30. Marble Sands (T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson J: Kielan Woods)
Connections have been careful with protecting his mark and we haven’t seen him since he finished second in the Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day.
31. Panic Attack (T: Dan Skelton J: Harry Skelton)
This very talented mare has already won two big handicap prizes this term and she she jumps and travels well. The handicapper has given her a massive chance too.
32. Top Of The Bill (T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies J: Toby McCain-Mitchell)
Looks a little out of his depth at this sort of level and the trip could be an issue.
33. Johnnywho (T: Jonjo & AJ O’Neill J: Richie McLernon)
He managed to win the Ultima with a strong finishing effort at Cheltenham last time out and could be well in. Questions marks remain with regards to his ability to see out the trip.
34. Twig (T: Ben Pauling J: Beau Morgan)
Ben Pauling’s veteran won the Becher Chase here earlier on in the season but might find this task a little tougher, especially as age isn’t on his side.
36. Imperial Saint (T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White J: Callum Pritchard)
He won the Peter Marsh at Haydock earlier on in the season and has scope to progress over marathon trips.
37. Amirite (T:Henry de Bromhead J: TBC)
Amirite can flatter to deceive at times but he did manage to win a competitive race at Kilbeggan in July.
Best bet
Oscars Brother (16/1, Betfred) is a very progressive novice and has won a couple of Grade 2 novice chases in good style. The ground was a touch too quick for him in the Brown Advisory but he kept on nicely to finish fourth and he shapes as if marathon trips will suit.
Outsider to follow
Quai De Bourbon (28/1, bet365) kept on nicely to finish third in the Irish Grand National last year and connections have looked after his mark this term. Returning to form with a fair third in a decent Leopardstown handicap last time, that effort should put him spot on for this.
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.
Top News
Grand National 2026: Runners, riders, odds and two free tips including a 28/1 shot
3 hours ago
'His price looks huge' - Aintree Day 3 outsiders include an 80/1 Grand National tip
3 hours ago
Patrick Mullins takes one ride at Aintree on Friday and it's not for his father
1 day ago
Aintree Festival Day 2: The trends point to a 12/1 shock result in the Melling Chase
1 day ago
Mullins landed an Aintree four-timer last year - he takes aim with a 111/1 Day 1 treble
2 days ago
Recent Winners
Please Gamble Responsibly.
