Grand National Runners 2026: A guide to the 34 contenders

The final field is decided for the 2026 Grand National, with 34 runners set to face the starter at Aintree on Saturday afternoon (16:00).

I've produced a guide to each and every one of the Grand National Runners, detailing their odds at time of publication and a brief assessment of their chances.

I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) @ 15/2

Grand National winner in 2024, finishing runner-up on return 12 months later. Willie Mullins and JP McManus' 10-year-old, the highest-rated horse in the field carrying topweight of 11st 12lbs, is back for a third visit to Aintree on Saturday and Paul Townend sticks by him. If in the same form as when second in the G1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, he ought to be there or thereabouts again.

Panic Attack (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton) @ 8/1

Dan Skelton has turned Panic Attack from a modest hurdler into a Graded chaser this season. Bolted up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham's November meeting off a mark of 135 before landing the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury just a fortnight later off four pounds higher. Won a Listed event back at the Berkshire venue by 14 lengths before a respectable run in the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Needs a bit more, but this has been her target for a while and it would be no great surprise to me at least if she becomes the first mare to win the great race since 1951.

Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins/Patrick Mullins) @ 9/1

Third, just half-a-length behind the aforementioned I Am Maximus, in the race last year. Made a significant mistake at the final fence, so his effort can be marked up slightly. Warmed up for his return to Merseyside with a straightforward victory over the reopposing Gerri Colombe in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February and as far as I'm concerned his claims are as strong as any of the Mullins brigade. Last year's winning jockey is on board.

Jagwar (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero/Mark Walsh) @ 10/1

Another one for Mr. McManus (get used to reading that) in those iconic green and gold hoops. The seven-year-old won the Plate at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival but is 0-3 this year, although he's gone very close on each attempt - including in the Ultima at HQ last month. Jumping is his Achilles heel and there's 30 fences in front of him, but he's clearly very talented and no doubt well-handicapped on raw ability. Undeniable chance if putting it all together.

Johnnywho (Jonjo & A J O'Neill/Richie McLernon) @ 11/1

Another for the green and gold who sneaks in off a featherweight. Won the Ultima at last month's Cheltenham Festival, which was a career-best performance. Only his second success in 10 starts over fences, though, and his credentials for this marathon trip are questioned after he weakened out of the Irish Grand National last year. Chance nonetheless.

Monty's Star (Henry de Bromhead/Darragh O'Keefe) @ 12/1

One that's been on my radar all season. Tried in Grade 1s last season against the likes of Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin, but wasn't quite up to it. Ran respectably, though, and I suspect this season has been all about a bid at the Grand National. Encouraging efforts at Leopardstown the last twice and his masterful trainer, who won the race in 2021, is sure to have him primed. Every chance.

Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero/Jonjo O'Neill Jr.) @ 14/1

Identical connections also send this eight-year-old who was fourth 12 months ago. His entire campaign has been geared around another crack at this £500k prize, but he needs to overcome a sub-par run in the Ultima, after which he scoped dirty. If able to give the best account of himself, he should be involved at the finish again.

Oscars Brother (Connor King/Daniel King) @ 16/1

It's JP again - this time with an eight-year-old son of Malinas he purchased in November after winning a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown by three lengths. He followed up in the same grade at Navan in February, before a fine fourth in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival. The National has reportedly been the long-term plan and on all known form he's got a fantastic chance off just 10st 13lbs.

Captain Cody (Willie Mullins/Jonathan Burke) @ 16/1

Last year's Scottish National winner. Hasn't reached the same heights since, albeit he's performed respectably in big races, and he's 12lbs higher in the handicap. Each-way claims, but I find it hard to picture him as the winner.

Gerri Colombe (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) @ 20/1

Lost his way a bit since finishing runner-up in the 2024 Gold Cup, but there was significantly more life in his defeat to the reopposing Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. Back to winning ways at Down Royal last time out. Big ask off 11st 10lbs, but he's a class act on his day. Place claims.

Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis/Sean Bowen) @ 20/1

Winner of the aforementioned 2025 Irish National a month after winning the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Obliged in the Welsh National just before Christmas, before earning Grade 2 honours in the Denman Chase at Newbury in February. Pulled up in last month's Gold Cup, so needs to bounce back which is a fair ask in a race like this, but he's an expert over these marathon trips and simply cannot be ruled out.

Gorgeous Tom (Henry de Bromhead/Sean Flanagan) @ 22/1

Not the most consistent type, but there's some smart pieces of form on his CV. Loves good ground, which is another plus. Second-string for Henry de Bromhead, though, and it takes some convincing that he wants this sort of test. Others appeal more.

Stellar Story (Gordon Elliott/Robert Dunne) @ 25/1

Albert Bartlett winner at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and 12 months later he was runner-up in the Brown Advisory. Represents the Tiger Roll connections of Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown Stud and looks a dour stayer who's crying out for this sort of test. Warmed up with a pleasing effort in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February and could run a big race. Each-way shout..

Quai De Bourbon (Willie Mullins/Donagh Meyler) @ 25/1

Third in last year's Irish National, but he was pulled-up on his subsequent couple of starts. Third in a Listed handicap at Leopardstown last time out suggests he's back to something like so he's not ruled out, for all connections must be concerned about the ground.

Final Orders (Gavin Cromwell/Conor Stone-Walsh) @ 25/1

Conditions are spot on for this 10-year-old who put on an exhibition from the front on a similar surface in the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival last month. If able to back that up, he's got a big chance. It's not going anywhere near as easy to get it all his own way in a National, though. Claims nonetheless.

Champ Kiely (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) @ 28/1

A classy operator on his day. It was only 12 months ago he won a Grade 1 over 3m1f at the Punchestown Festival, and his second to Mares' Chase runner-up Only By Night in a Grade 3 at Naas in November was pleasing too. Done little to inspire since, but hard to say if that's been by design. Could have a say if staying the trip.

Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell/Harry Cobden) @ 28/1

Was sent off 10/1 last year but fell at the ninth fence. Nothing to shout about in two starts in the meantime, but presumably it's been all about getting back to Aintree in one piece off a handy mark (-2). Dangerous under Harry Cobden, who takes over from Mark Walsh as JP McManus' number one jockey on May 1.

Favori De Champdou (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) @ 33/1

Eleven-year-old seems to have a new lease on life after winning a competitive handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas. Huge run off a big weight in the Cross Country at Cheltenham last month and he's better off with the reopposing Final Orders, who I'm fairly positive about. Wouldn't be a surprise at all if he's there or thereabouts.

Spanish Harlem (Willie Mullins/Brian Hayes) @ 33/1

Another member of the Mullins brigade. Kerry National winner in September and he looked a winner in waiting before unseating at the last in the Thyestes at Gowran Park at the start of the year. Pulled-up in the Bobbyjo next time out and I think his mark of 159 is extremely harsh. Does little for me, to be honest.

Lecky Watson (Willie Mullins/Sean O'Keefe) @ 33/1

Last season's Brown Advisory winner has form figures of F77P8 since the Festival. There was encouragement in his Savills Chase effort at Leopardstown at Christmas, at least, but needs some Mullins magic to feature here.

Jordans (Joseph O'Brien/Ben Jones) @ 33/1

An intriguing runner as on this season's form, it's hard to get excited about his chances. But on his second in the G1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at last year's meeting, he's right the mix. This has been the target all season and Ben Jones is a jockey booking to note. Couldn't put anyone off an each-way play, especially with the yard in such good form.

Twig (Ben Pauling/Beau Morgan) @ 33/1

Won the Becher over the Grand National fences in December, but only 10th, beaten 44 lengths, in the big one 12 months ago. Eleven years old and getting no better, so he's hard to advise.

Banbridge (Joseph O'Brien/J J Slevin) @ 40/1

Has a huge weight to carry and doesn't look an obvious candidate for this 4m2½f trip, but the King George runner-up is one of the classiest runners in the field with a preference for good ground. If - and it's a big if - he gets the trip, it'd be no surprise to see him bang there. I have significant doubts about his stamina, though.

Imperial Saint (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White/Callum Pritchard) @ 40/1

Sneaks into the race off a featherweight (10st 2lbs) and for me, he's the one with the best chance of those towards the bottom of the market. Won the Peter Marsh at Haydock earlier in the year on just his second start over three miles or above, and the eight-year-old son of Saint Des Saints boasts form figures of 11125 at Aintree. Plenty of each-way value.

Firefox (Gordon Elliott/Keith Donoghue) @ 50/1

Age aside, he's a similar profile to the aforementioned Banbridge. His fourth in the Irish Gold Cup at the DRF in February was a career-best, but he didn't see out the extended two miles at Cheltenham in March and he's another I can't see enjoying this sort of trip. I'll be looking elsewhere.

High Class Hero (Willie Mullins/James Bowen) @ 50/1

An old favourite of mine who looked an ideal National type when a staying-on third in the Sandown Gold Cup over 3m4½f in April last year. Pulled-up the last twice, but if back to his best he's of some interest off 10st 11lbs.

Top Of The Bill (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies/Toby McCain-Mitchell) @ 50/1

Fine second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February, for which he's up two pounds. More required of the 10-year-old, who won't be getting any better. Might give connections a good spin, but I'd be surprised if he ends up in the places.

Three Card Brag (Gordon Elliott/Jordan Gainford) @ 50/1

Another Elliott runner enjoying a great season. Won a competitive handicap at Cheltenham's October Meeting before finishing second to Panic Attack, one of the favourites for Saturday's race, in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Unsighted in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse 84 days later, but I presume that was a run to blow away the cobwebs. Worth a bit of each-way money at the prices.

Marble Sands (David Killahena & Graeme McPherson) @ 50/1

Consistent type who relished the step up to 3m+ at Cheltenham in November. Decent effort in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day off five pounds higher, and he appears to have been kept fresh for this. He's unexposed over the trip, which makes him a lot more interesting than most of those close to him in the betting.

Answer To Kayf (Terence O'Brien/John Shinnick) @ 66/1

Admirable type, but plenty to find on form. Mark of 150 seems inflated. Preference for a lot more cut in the ground, too. Hard to advise.

Mr Vango (Sara Bradstock/Jack Tudor) @ 66/1

Dour stayer who was just touched off in the Becher over these fences in December. Failed to complete in two starts since, though. Difficult to advise in a modern-day National off a mark of 154.

The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville/Gavin Sheehan) @ 66/1

Ten-year-old hasn't enjoyed too many days in the sun since his Brown Advisory success at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. On his day, he's capable of giving a good account of himself, especially if getting to the front and jumping as well as he can. Would be surprised if that comes to fruition, mind.

Amirite (Henry de Bromhead/Phillip Enright) @ 80/1

Hard to advise even on his best form.

Beauport (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) @ 100/1

Twelfth in the race last year, 63 lengths off the winner. Remains on a mark that overestimates his ability. I wouldn't be in a rush to back him.

Super Extra Places

Selected race(s). Applies to Each Way, Single & Multiple bets only. Best Odds Guaranteed & Antepost bets do not apply. Min. runner rules apply. T&Cs Apply.

Super Extra Places

Selected race(s). Applies to Each Way, Single & Multiple bets only. Best Odds Guaranteed & Antepost bets do not apply. Min. runner rules apply. T&Cs Apply.

Click the link for the very latest Grand National Odds

Find our experts' Grand National Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights