Grand National Jockeys: Who’s booked in the saddle for Aintree showpiece?

| Sunday 5th April 2026, 15:41

Sunday 5th April 2026, 15:41

The 2026 Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, April 11 at 17:00. As the countdown to the big race continues, we look at who this year’s Grand National jockeys will be, with 34 runners set to go to post in the biggest race of the year.

The confirmed Grand National jockeys were announced on Wednesday, April 8. We’ve had a look and listed all jockey bookings for the big race.

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Grand National Odds

It's Maximus for Paul Townend

Willie Mullins’s number one jockey, Paul Townend, will ride I Am Maximus, whom he rode to victory in the race in 2024 and then second place 12 months ago in this year's Grand National. There was a question mark whether he's plum for Grangeclere West, who finished third in last year’s race, but he's been booked aboard the race-favourite, 7/1 at the time of writing, with Betfred paying each-way to SIX places.

Last year's winning jockey, Patrick Mullins, has jumped off Nick Rockett in favour of Bobbyjo winner Grangeclere West, with Tom Bellamy picking up the ride on Nick Rockett (non runner).

Of the other Willie Mullins-trained runners, Brian Hayes rides Spamnish Harlem, whilst Sean O'Keefe rides Lecky Watson. James Bowen has been picked up to ride High Class Hero, and Jonathan Burke will ride Captain Cody. Lastly, Donagh Meyler will ride the 7-year-old Quai de Bourbon.

Who rides for JP?

Owner JP McManus has seven runners taking their place in the race, winner of the race with I Am Maximus and Don’t Push It.

With Townend riding I Am Maximus again, Jonjo O’Neill Jr. will ride last year’s fourth Iroko as his regular pilot, whilst Mark Walsh will take the ride aboard Jagwar, who he recently partnered at the Cheltenham Festival for trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Richie McLernon won aboard Johnnywho at Cheltenham, so they team up again, whilst Oscars Brother is the regular mount of Daniel King, who just happens to be the horse’s trainer, Connor's brother.

Spillane’s Tower has been booked to ride by Simon Torrens, and the ride on Perceval Legallois goes to Harry Cobden for his future employer.

Who will Jack decide?

Jack Kennedy is the stable jock for Gordon Elliott, a three-time winning trainer of the race, who has six entries.

Kennedy has plumbed for the top-rated of those, Gerri Colombes.

The best-fancied of the lot at the time of writing is Stellar Story at 25/1, ridden by Robert Dunne. Keith Donaghue will partner Firefox, whilst Danny Gilligan rides Favori de Champdou. Jordan Gainford is in the saddle aboard Three Card Brag.

Pied Piper is the first reserve, with no jockey selected at the time of writing.

Regular riders

Sean Bowen has partnered with Haiti Couleurs all season for Rebecca Curtis, winning the Welsh National and Denman Chase, before pulling up following a fine spell from the front in the Gold Cup last month.

Harry Skelton will ride Panic Attack for his brother Dan; the mare finished third at Cheltenham and scrapes in at the weights.

John Shinnick is an ever-present on the Terry O’Brien trained Answser To Kayf, whilst Beau Morgan is the regular rider of Twig.

Grand National Jockeys List

The riders confirmed on Wednesday, April 8.

Last updated Saturday, 11th April 2026 8am.

In racecard order:

I Am Maximus - Paul Townend
Nick Rockett - NON RUNNER
Banbridge - JJ Slevin
Grangeclere West - Patrick Mullins
Gerri Colombe - Jack Kennedy
Haiti Coleurs - Sean Bowen
Spillane’s Tower - NON RUNNER
Firefox - Keith Donaghue
Monty’s Star - Darragh O'Keefe
Spanish Harlem - Brian Hayes
Lecky Watson - Sean O'Keefe
Champ Kiely - Danny Mullins
Iroko - Jonjo O’Neill Jnr.
Favori De Champdou - Danny Gilligan
Three Card Brag - Jordan Gainford
Oscars Brother - Daniel King
Mr Vango - Jack Tudor
High Class Hero - James Bowen
Stellar Story - Robert Dunne
Beauport - Sam Twiston-Davies
Captain Cody - Jonathan Burke
Jagwar - Mark Walsh
Perceval Legallois - Harry Cobden
Gorgeous Tom - Sean Flanagan
The Real Whacker - Gavin Sheehan
Quai De Bourbon - Donagh Meyler
Answer To Kayf - John Shinnick
Jordans - Ben Jones
Final Orders - Conor Stone-Walsh
Marble Sands - Tom Bellamy
Panic Attack - Harry Skelton
Top Of The Bill - Toby McCain-Mitchell
Johnnywho - Richie McLernon
Twig - Beau Morgan
Pied Piper - NON RUNNER
Imperial Saint - Callum Pritchard
Amirite - Phillip Enright