2026 Grand National Runner by Runner Guide – DS
2026 Grand National Runner-By-Runner Guide
This Saturday at Aintree we will have the 178th renewal of the most famous steeplechase in the world. The 2026 Grand National will see 34 horses jumping 30 fences in total, some of which are so renowned they even have their own names (The Chair, Becher’s Brook, Foinavon etc.). With a total distance covered of over 4 miles and 2 furlongs, this is a stamina sapping test and our man Dave Stevos is hoping to find the winner. His 2026 Grand National runner-by-runner guide is below.
I Am Maximus
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Paul Townend.
2026 Grand National Odds: 7/1
The 2024 winner (who we backed at 25/1) and 2025 runner up is back to try and regain his crown. A superb run in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown convinced me to tip him up for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so that sort of indicates just how good a horse I think this son of Authorized is.
He pitches up off just 1lb higher than last year, when he was beaten 2.5 lengths by Nick Rockett and he’s now 3lb better off with that rival (now a non-runner). His stamina is assured, he acts on the track and the ground will be fine for him. That’s a lot of boxes ticked. Favourite’s chance.
Banbridge
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien. Jockey: JJ Slevin.
2026 Grand National Odds: 50/1
One of two for Joseph O’Brien and it is notable that he’s preferred over Jordans by stable jockey JJ Slevin. A six-time chase winner, this is a very classy horse. The highlight of his career was his brilliant win in the 2024 King George and he was a whisker away from defending his crown in the 2025 renewal.
This lad will love the nice ground at Aintree and he won the Grade 1 Manifesto Chase here as a novice in 2023. However, the one major question he has to answer is will he stay the trip. He gets 3m at Kempton alright but an extended 4m2f around Aintree is a different kettle of fish altogether. His three runs beyond three miles have resulted in heavy defeats and a similar outcome looks likely here.
Grangeclare West
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Patrick Mullins.
2026 Grand National Odds: 10/1
A three-time chase winner whose finest hour came in a Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in 2023. He ran in this race last year and produced a fine effort, staying on well after the elbow for a 3l third.
He’s now 3lb higher but he’d probably be even higher if his 5.5l defeat of Gerri Colombe at Fairyhouse had happened before the weights were published. He was just over 3l behind I Am Maximus in the Savills and he’s weighted to get a bit closer now and it’s notable that Patrick Mullins has got off last year’s winner to ride him. Big chance, and it will be even bigger if they overwater as he’s best on soft ground.
Gerri Colombe
Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Jockey: Jack Kennedy.
2026 Grand National Odds: 33/1
Once the great white hope of the Gordon Elliott yard, this son of Saddler Maker has enjoyed something of a resurgence this season. Since winning the Grade 1 Bowl here in 2024, he’s been sparingly raced and on last season’s form he looked a spent force.
However, he’s improved for every one of his three runs this season. There were signs he was coming back to his best when he was runner up behind Grangeclare West and he got back to winning ways in a soft race at Down Royal last month.
Jack Kennedy keeps the faith and while I always thought he was too slow to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup, it would not surprise me to see him run a big race upped to this marathon trip for the first time. Odds of 33/1 look a shade generous.
Haiti Couleurs
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis. Jockey: Sean Bowen.
2026 Grand National Odds: 14/1
A top-class handicapper who stays longer than the mother-in-law. Yes, his limitations have been exposed at the very highest level but you have to remember that this horse has won a 3m6f handicap chase at Cheltenham, an Irish National and a Welsh National.
The problem for Rebecca Curtis’ stable star is that he is now 24lb higher than when winning at Fairyhouse and 12lb higher than when landing the Welsh National at Chepstow. The trip should not be an issue, but whether he has enough wriggle room off his current mark is up for debate.
Firefox
Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Jockey: Keith Donoghue.
2026 Grand National Odds: 100/1
A dual chase winner but yet to win beyond 2m4f. Went into a few notebooks after his Irish Gold Cup fourth but he didn’t go into mine. He didn’t finish off his race strongly that day and it was a similar story in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. Surely this trip will prove too far.
Monty’s Star
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead. Jockey: Darragh O’Keefe.
2026 Grand National Odds: 18/1
The positives for this horse? Firstly, his trainer knows what it takes to win this race and secondly, he stayed on pretty nicely for fifth in the Savills at Leopardstown in December. However, that’s about it.
He made no impact when miles behind Fact To File at the DRF in February and both of his career wins have come on soft and heavy ground on right-handed tracks. He does possess bits and pieces of form that suggest he might be capable off this mark but his overall profile suggests he’s up against it here. His odds look skinny enough too.
Spanish Harlem
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Brian Hayes.
2026 Grand National Odds: 33/1
Won the Kerry National in September at Listowel, his second ever win over fences. However, it is fair to say things haven’t exactly gone to plan since. The 8yo son of Spanish Moon jumped poorly when pulled up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and he unseated at the last when he had the race at his mercy in the Thyestes at Gowran.
Last time out in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse he was pulled up again and coming into the Grand National on the back of three non-completions is not an ideal preparation. He’d probably like to see a fair sup of rain too. Up against it, unless the heavens open.
Lecky Watson
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Sean O’Keefe.
2026 Grand National Odds: 33/1
Won three from four as a novice chaser, culminating in a 4l success in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham in 2025. However, he fell in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown on his final start of last season and he seemingly hasn’t been the same horse since.
Since stepping into open company, he’s been highly tried but he has been beaten a cumulative distance of 143 lengths in his three completed starts and in the other one he was pulled up at Leopardstown. Impossible to fancy on what he has done this year.
Champ Kiely
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Danny Mullins.
2026 Grand National Odds: 25/1
One of the best backed outsiders. Available at 80/1 just a few days ago, his price has tumbled since it was confirmed that Danny Mullins would take the ride. That suggests he is pretty high up the yard’s pecking order but a leap of faith is required to fancy him on this season’s exploits.
His finest hour came in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown last year when he beat the suspect stayer Ballyburn and Stellar Story, who would have hated the ground. In his two most recent starts over 2m7f at Tramore and 24.5f at Leopardstown he hasn’t exactly shaped as though he was crying out for a marathon trip. It would surprise me if he stays 4m2f but I’ve been wrong plenty of times before.
Iroko
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero. Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill.
2026 Grand National Odds: 12/1
This horse has been laid out for this race. A fine fourth in it last year off a mark of 152, he is back to try and go three places better off just 4lb higher. He’s had just the three runs this season and he won a three-runner contest at Ascot in December.
Given a break after that, he was next sighted in the Ultima at Cheltenham and while he was well beaten in that, it was almost certainly a pipe opener ahead of a crack at the big one. Jonjo O’Neill was in the plate last year and he has kept the ride and his claims are obvious. The bookies haven’t missed him though and there’s not much value in his current odds of 12/1.
Favori De Champdou
Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Jockey: Danny Gilligan.
2026 Grand National Odds: 33/1
This 11yo is enjoying something of an Indian Summer. He’s always been a decent staying type but this season he has improved hand over fist. A winner of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at 66/1, he has proved that was no fluke in two starts since.
He bolted up over the banks at Cheltenham in January and he was conceding almost a stone to Final Orders when chasing home that rival in the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival in March (18l back to the third).
He’s now 17lb higher than when winning at Leopardstown and usually, it would be hard to see an 11yo improve that much but he’s defied expectations so far and you couldn’t write him off.
Three Card Brag
Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Jockey: Jordan Gainford.
2026 Grand National Odds: 33/1
Has won two of his twelve starts over fences, his most recent success coming at Cheltenham in October when he beat subsequent Grade 3 handicap winner Backmeorsackme by 2.75l off a mark of 149. On his next start at Newbury he finished 6.5l behind Panic Attack off his revised mark of 155 when conceding 16lb and he’s 7lb better off with that rival here.
On his last start after a short break he was beaten out of sight behind Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse but heavy ground wouldn’t have been ideal. He’s capable of much better and he should get his ground here, you’d just worry that he might be handicapped to his best now.
Oscars Brother
Trainer: Connor King. Jockey: Daniel King.
2026 Grand National Odds: 18/1
A real family affair. Trained by Connor King and ridden by his brother Daniel, this exciting novice has been on an upward trajectory this season. Bought by JP McManus after he lowered the colours of Koktail Divin at Punchestown in November, he followed up in a Grade 2 novice at Navan, both wins coming on testing ground.
He didn’t lose much caste in defeat when running so well in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham and the way he finished his race suggested he’s well worth a try over a marathon trip like this one. He’s a solid jumper, he likes to race prominently and while he does lack experience, he has to be considered a realistic contender.
Mr Vango
Trainer: Sara Bradstock. Jockey: Jack Tudor.
2026 Grand National Odds: 66/1
Lightly raced for his age, with just ten runs over fences, and he’s won four of those. Was touched off by Twig in the Becher here in December but since then, he’s been pulled up at Sandown and again in the Eider at Newcastle where in fairness to him, the ground was far too quick.
However, he’s unlikely to get his favoured soft conditions here and he looks to be facing a tough task, unless the heavens open. Odds of 66/1 probably sum up his chance.
High Class Hero
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: James Bowen.
2026 Grand National Odds: 80/1
Another one for Willie Mullins and when I first looked at this race in February, he was my ante-post selection at odds of 50/1 (read here). Since then, things haven’t gone to plan as he followed up his pulled up effort in the Thyestes with another poor effort in the Leinster National.
However, both those runs came on bottomless ground and my main angle for fancying him was his excellent effort in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown a year ago, the last time he ran on ground with good in the description.
The fact that James Bowen rides is a negative, not because of his ability but more because that means he’s well down the Mullins’ pecking order and he’s duly drifted out to 80/1. That being said, Bowen has placed on both previous rides for Mullins so hopefully, he makes it 3/3.
Stellar Story
Trainer: Gordon Elliott. Jockey: Robbie Dunne.
2026 Grand National Odds: 25/1
I’m surprised to see this son of Shantou priced up at as short as 25/1. He’s 0-6 on ground with good in the description and the vast majority of his best form has come on testing ground.
He did finish second in the Brown Advisory last year on good to soft but he was beaten pretty comfortably by Lecky Watson and he hasn’t exactly done a lot for that form since. Unless there’s torrential rain, he isn’t for me.
Beauport
Trainer: Nigel Twiston Davies. Jockey: Sam Twiston Davies.
2026 Grand National Odds: 100/1
We backed this horse when he won the Midlands National in 2024, a race that proves he stays at least 4m2f. That was on heavy ground, but he has won on good too so conditions aren’t a worry.
We backed him again in last year’s Grand National but he didn’t see it out and finished tailed off. After pulling up in the Long Walk at Ascot in December he had wind surgery and he again finished weakly when beaten 20l in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock on his last start. He’s hard to fancy on the back of those two efforts.
Captain Cody
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Jonathan Burke.
2026 Grand National Odds: 16/1
Last year’s Scottish National winner has failed to fire so far this season. Beaten around 9l on his first two starts of the campaign in a Grade 1 and a listed handicap, he then fell in the Thyestes and was beaten over 30 lengths in the Bobbyjo.
The fact that Jonathan Burke gets the ride suggests he’s down the Mullins’ list and on his exploits this season, 16/1 looks far too short. Maybe it’s been a long-term plot, but there looks to be better value to be found elsewhere.
Jagwar
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero. Jockey: Mark Walsh.
2026 Grand National Odds: 10/1
Undeniably talented but he’s had a frustrating season. A winner of four of his five chase starts last year, he’s rattled the crossbar in all three runs this season, all at Cheltenham. As a result of those near misses, he’s been creeping up the weights and after starting the season off 148, he gets in here off 152.
He’s actually 5lb well in here as he was raised 5lb for his Ultima Handicap second. He now wears cheekpieces for the first time and it is very interesting that Mark Walsh has opted to keep the faith after riding him in the Ultima. Still only a 7yo, he could yet prove much better than his mark and he has run well here over hurdles.
He should be bang there again, but he needs to find a little bit more to get his head in front.
Perceval Legallois
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell. Jockey: Harry Cobden.
2026 Grand National Odds: 33/1
Another JP McManus runner and interestingly, the mount of his incoming retained rider Harry Coben. A faller in this last year when sent off at just 10-1, he’s only been seen twice since and it’s fair to say, he hasn’t put his best hoof forward.
After pulling up on his return in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, he at least managed to complete the course when trailing home by 31 lengths at Tramore last time out. A leap of faith is required to fancy him but Gavin Cromwell has brought horses back to form from out of the blue before so you couldn’t put a line through him.
Gorgeous Tom
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead. Jockey: Sean Flanagan.
2026 Grand National Odds: 28/1
Another one for Henry de Bromhead and a nice spare ride for Sean Flanagan to pick up with Darragh O’Keefe preferring Monty’s Star. Highly tried as a novice last season, he often caught the eye without winning, none more so than when flashing home in the 2m4f Drinmore at Fairyhouse.
However, he’s probably just below that level and he’s had his sights lowered to handicaps on his last two starts. At Newbury in November, he ran a nice race to finish fourth behind Panic Attack off this mark and he did keep on pretty well in the closing stages.
He likely needed his last run in the Leinster National after three months off and that should have left him spot on for this. His dam is a half-sister to National runner up Cappa Bleu so he could well relish this test and he’s an interesting contender.
The Real Whacker
Trainer: Patrick Neville. Jockey: Gavin Sheehan.
2026 Grand National Odds: 80/1
A four-time chase winner who has been out of form for some time. He hasn’t won since October 2024 and on his last chase start at Wetherby he was beaten by 33 lengths. He looked a non-stayer the two times he contested the Gold Cup, so it’s hard to imagine him seeing out this trip.
Quai De Bourbon
Trainer: Willie Mullins. Jockey: Donagh Meyler.
2026 Grand National Odds: 28/1
A three-time winner over hurdles, he has won just one of his eight starts over the bigger obstacles. All his best form is on rain softened ground so that is a worry, as is the fact that his recent form figures are more alphabetical than numerical (3PP3BU). A risky proposition and his odds of 28/1 look far too short.
Answer To Kayf
Trainer: Terence O’Brien. Jockey: John Shinnick.
2026 Grand National Odds: 66/1
It’s great to see a smaller yard represented in this stellar race but unfortunately, this 10yo is probably up against it. He had his big day in the sun when winning the Troytown Chase on his beloved bottomless ground at Navan but he was well beaten off his revised mark in the Thyestes and he also finished 16l behind the winner in the Bobbyjo Chase.
The longest trip he has tackled was 3m7f on yielding ground at Punchestown a year ago and he weakened after the second last. So, in short, the trip is a worry, good ground is a worry and his handicap mark is a worry. Unlikely.
Jordans
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien. Jockey: Ben Jones.
2026 Grand National Odds: 33/1
I put Jordans up for this race as part of my Spring e/w double and you can read why here. This horse has been waiting all season for a bit of nice ground and he’ll finally get it here. I’ve long thought he was a Grade 1 chaser in the making so I am hoping his current handicap mark of 150 is workable.
One of the best runs of his career came in the Mildmay Novice chase here last season when he was runner up behind the 155 rated Caldwell Potter and my theory is that connections have had this race in mind ever since.
However, the fact that JJ Slevin has plumped for Banbridge instead is rather alarming and that has dented my confidence. Hopefully Ben Jones gets a good tune out of him and if he stays the trip, he could surprise with a big run.
Final Orders
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell. Jockey: Conor Stone-Walsh.
2026 Grand National Odds: 28/1
Looked a lost cause over fences but has been revitalised by running over the banks. All four of his starts have come in cross country races this season and he’s won two of the last three, both at Cheltenham.
As Tiger Roll proved, that race can be an effective prep for the Grand National and he runs off the same mark as when beating Favori De Champdou at the Festival in March. The son of Camelot loves good ground, which he’ll get this weekend, but it is a slight concern that he fell on his only previous run over the National fences in the Topham in 2023. If he has erased that from his memory, he could go very well and he could be a shade overpriced at 28s.
Marble Sands
Trainer: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson. Jockey: Kielan Woods.
2026 Grand National Odds: 100/1
One of the big outsiders. Scored for the fourth time over fences when seeing out 3m4f extremely well at Cheltenham in November and stayed on well over an inadequate trip of 3m at Wetherby on his latest start in December.
Didn’t fare well over the National fences in the Topham last year and he’ll need a huge career best to win this. Probably biting off more than he can chew.
Panic Attack
Trainer: Dan Skelton. Jockey: Harry Skelton.
2026 Grand National Odds: 17/2
A winner of five of her nine starts over fences, this strong staying mare has been very well backed in the lead up to this race. Started the season in scintillating form, racking up a hat-trick of wins at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft), and twice at Newbury including the Coral Gold Cup by 6.5l off 139 and a 2m7f Listed Mares’ chase by 14l.
Her winning run came to an end in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham but that trip wasn’t ideal and it was likely used as a prep for this. Her yard is flying but whether she has much in hand off a mark of 147 remains to be seen.
Top Of The Bill
Trainer: Nigel Twiston Davies. Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell.
2026 Grand National Odds: 80/1
When he’s good, he’s very very good but when he’s bad, he’s horrid. He has amassed a respectable record of five wins from 12 starts over fences but he is prone to throwing in the odd stinker, like he did when beaten 33 lengths at Haydock on his penultimate start.
The son of Fame And Glory got back on track at the same venue when runner up on latest off 145 and he’s only 1lb higher now. However, he didn’t put in the best round of jumping that day and if he does the same again, it is hard to see him winning this.
Johnnywho
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill. Jockey: Richie McClernon.
2026 Grand National Odds: 12/1
Just two chase wins to his name but this 9yo son of Califet is as short as 10/1. He stayed on strongly to chase home Deep Cave over 3m at Ascot in December and stayed on well to lower the colours of Jagwar in the Ultima at Cheltenham in March under Richie McClernon off 146.
Now rated 152, he’s officially 6lb ‘well in’ here and McClernon has retained the ride. His dam was fourth in the Irish National and won over 4m so he’s certainly bred to stay and he gained experience over these fences when fifth in the Grand Sefton here in November. Yet another JP McManus runner with a serious chance on paper.
Twig
Trainer: Ben Pauling. Jockey: Beau Morgan.
2026 Grand National Odds: 40/1
Absolutely no concerns about his ability to jump the fences, as he showed when winning the Becher here in December. However, what is a worry is the longer trip. He was never involved on his first run beyond 3m2f in this race last year and a similar outcome could be on the cards given that he races off an identical mark this year.
Imperial Saint
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White. Jockey: Callum Pritchard.
2026 Grand National Odds: 50/1
A friend of the blog having won for us at nice odds in the Peter Marsh at Haydock in January. Sneaks in at the bottom of the weights after Nick Rockett and Pied Piper were declared non-runners. Has an excellent strike rate over the conventional fences at Aintree, winning three of his five starts.
Has never run beyond 3m1f and when he scored over that trip at Haydock, he was clinging on as he crossed the line. Whether he’ll stay the extra mile has to be questionable on that evidence and he probably hasn’t got much wriggle room off this mark either.
Amirite
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead. Jockey: TBA
2026 Grand National Odds: 80/1
Gets in as the third reserve. Won the Midlands National at Kilbeggan off 5lb lower but has come up short off his revised mark in three starts since. To be fair, heavy ground didn’t suit when he was pulled up on latest at Thurles but he had no such excuses when tailing off in the Cross Country at Cheltenham in March. This looks far too demanding.
2026 Grand National Summary
Given that we have backed them ante-post, I am hoping for good runs from High Class Hero and Jordans but looking at the jockey arrangements, that hope is dwindling.
JP McManus holds an exceedingly strong hand this year and it is hard to get away from the claims of I Am Maximus, Jagwar, Iroko, Johnnywho and my pick as the winner, Oscars Brother. He’s unexposed and there’s every chance he’ll improve massively for this step up in trip. Last year’s third Grangeclare West is another live contender, though the ground might be a shade on the quick side for him.
The resurgent Gerri Colombe might outrun his odds of 33/1 and Final Orders is another interesting outsider but I’m not convinced by Panic Attack’s credentials. Another dark horse that could relish this test is Gorgeous Tom and I’ll have a small e/w interest on him at odds of 28/1 and Oscars Brother at 18s. Hopefully it’s a cracking race and all runners and riders come home safe and sound.
2026 Grand National Prediction
- Oscars Brother 18/1 (back e/w)
- I Am Maximus 15/2
- Johnnywho 12/1
- Gorgeous Tom 28/1 (back e/w)
- Jagwar 10/1
- Gerri Colombe 33/1
