Grand National Ante-Post 2026 Tips: Welsh Wizard has each-way claims

The 2026 Grand National might be months away, but there’s a plethora of racing over the Christmas period both in the UK and Ireland, which could see some potential runners for the Aintree showpiece get a prep in.

As the antepost book begins to take shape, we’ve had a look at the leading contenders in the betting at Betfred, plus those who are scheduled to run over Christmas and give you a Grand National Ante-Post tip.

Click here to see all the latest Grand National 2026 Odds

Last year’s fourth Iroko heads the betting for the 2026 renewal. Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the seven-year-old is a short price of 8/1 with Betfred. He was beaten seven and a half lengths by Nick Rockett in last year’s race, but as a seven-year-old, he’ll earn his right for another stab and his two runs so far this season have left him top of the market.

Second at Haydock on his reappearance in November, he was then impressive, winning a Graduation Chase at Ascot on Saturday, beating the well-fancied Firefox. 

Last year’s winner Nick Rockett is also fancied to have another strong showing in April. The eight-year-old gave Willie Mullins a third win in the race and his second successive; he’s not raced again since, and it will be interesting to see how he’s campaigned this season. Last year, he ran in the big handicap chase at the Leopardstown Festival, finishing fourth, before winning the Graded Thyestes Chase and Bobbjo Chase on his way to Aintree success. Expect a more low-key campaign this time around, as Mullins looks to protect what will be a high handicap mark. He’s 16/1 joint-second favourite.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs is also a 16/1 chance, and a horse we may see run over the Christmas period. The eight-year-old has Aintree winning form in the book, landing the Irish Grand National last season, which has been a strong trial in the past yielding five winners, and is one of the leading fancies to win the Welsh Grand National run at Chepstow on the 27th December. A strong run could see his price take a tumble in the Grand National market, so the 16’s available now might represent a bit of value.

One of the horses who did the Irish and English Grand National double was I Am Maximus, who is 18/1 to win the race for the second time, having succeeded in 2023. Willie Mullins nearly made it back-to-back Nationals when he finished second behind his stablemate last year. The nine-year-old holds two entries over Christmas, in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown on the 28th December and a Grade 3 at Tramore on New Year’s Day.

At bigger prices, 33/1 chance Jagwar is an intriguing prospect, having won at the Cheltenham Festival last year. He ran well in the December Gold Cup earlier this month and is definitely one to keep an eye on for the rest of the season. 

Before the big day at Aintree, several key races act as barometers for likely National contenders. The Becher Chase back on the National fences at Aintree is becoming a focal point, run on the 6th December and won by Twig. However, it was the runner-up, Mr Vango, who is a 25/1 shot for the Grand National with Betfred. The Sara Bradstock-trained nine-year-old favourite was lumping top-weight that day and only beaten a shoulder. He holds an entry in the Welsh National.

As the season progresses and form lines sharpen, expect the ante-post market to fluctuate frequently, rewarding those who keep a close eye on stamina tests and big-field handicaps that mirror what lies in wait at the Liverpool track next April.

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