The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday 11 April as the world’s greatest steeplechase returns to Aintree for its 178th running.
The race headlines the eponymous Festival, which takes place from Thursday 9 April, and in 2026 Nick Rockett is out to become only the sixth horse to win back-to-back Nationals after last year’s emotional win for jockey Patrick Mullins, son of legendary trainer Willie.
2024 champion I Am Maximus looks set to go off as the favourite in the Grand National odds on betting sites as he aims to improve on last year’s second-place finish, but the competition looks stiff.
Grangeclare West is aiming to improve on a third-place finish, and other reputable staying chasers such as Iroko and Haiti Couleurs are serious contenders to land the biggest jumps race of the year.
Latest Grand National Odds
Punters can find the best Grand National odds from horse racing betting sites above. Our Grand National betting odds are live, meaning any changes made by bookmakers are reflected instantly.
Below, we’ve taken a look at a few of the favourites at Aintree and have provided some additional information on these runners.
Grand National Favourites
I Am Maximus
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Age: 10
- Form: 52928
- Previous Grand National results: 1st (2024), 2nd (2025)
Mullins-trained I Am Maximus is looking to regain the Grand National crown after narrowly losing out in 2025, though the stats might be against him as a horse aged 10 or older has not won the National since 2014.
Grangeclare West
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Age: 10
- Form: 184853
- Previous Grand National results: 3rd (2025)
A stablemate of I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West has moved up the market after a straightforward win in February’s Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase, which is seen as a key trial for the National. Last year, the 10-year-old finished three lengths behind Nick Rockett in third.
Jagwar
- Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Age: 7
- Form: 22311
- Previous Grand National results: N/A
Jagwar made his first-ever start over three miles in this year’s Ultima at Cheltenham, finishing just half a length behind winner Johnnywho. That result qualified the gelding for the National, and while the length of the race is another trip into the unknown, he looks a capable sort based on his Cheltenham efforts.
Iroko
- Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Age: 8
- Form: 101242
- Previous Grand National results: 4th (2025)
Iroko, a stablemate of Jagwar, had been the ante-post favourite in the Grand National odds after an impressive fourth-placed finish in the National in 2025, during which he made up a lot of ground late on. A disappointing 10th place in this year’s Ultima has seen his Grand National odds drift, but with another year of experience, this race seems to be the one being targeted.
Johnnywho
- Trainer: Jonjo O’Neil
- Age: 9
- Form: 15355
- Previous Grand National results: N/A
Johnnywho is one of the biggest market movers on betting apps after winning the Ultima ahead of Jagwar, though an average display in the Grand Sefton and a fifth-placed finish in the Irish National mean he’s more of an outside shout, along with 2025 winner Nick Rockett and the popular Haiti Couleurs.
Grand National Betting Strategies
The Grand National is one of the biggest sporting events of the year, and punters can wager on a range of different markets, from the nationality of the winning trainer to the age of the winning horse.
In recent years, changes to the fences and size of the field means more horses have been finishing the race, with 21, 17, 15 and 15 completing the National in the last four renewals.
Given the length and difficulty of the race, it can pay to back more than one horse in the Grand National. It is one of the more unpredictable races of the calendar, with favourites sometimes falling at the first hurdle or 50/1 outsiders winning (such as Noble Yeats in 2022).
Ahead of the race, remember to keep an eye out for the best Grand National odds and free bet offers for the race, as they can be ideal to use as supplementary plays on outsiders or lesser fancies. In addition, always try to get the most places you can, with the best betting sites often offering up to eight places on the National.
Grand National Trends
- The last 10 winners were rated between 146-163
- Nine of the previous 11 winners carried between 10st 5lbs and 11st 8lbs
- 16 of the past 29 winners were priced at 14/1 or shorter in the market
- The past 10 winners were aged nine or younger
- Only five of the last 10 winners had failed to win over trips in excess of 3m1f
- Six of the last seven winners were trained in Ireland
- Only four winners this century had not won over three miles
- 21 of the previous 25 winners did not wear any headgear
- Noble Yeats became the first horse aged seven to win since Bogskar in 1940
Past Grand National Winners
Year |
Horse |
Age |
Weight |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 |
Nick Rockett |
8 |
11-8 |
W P Mullins |
P W Mullins |
33/1 |
2024 |
I Am Maximus |
8 |
11-6 |
W P Mullins |
P Townend |
7/1JF |
2023 |
Corach Rambler |
9 |
10-5 |
L Russell |
D Fox |
8/1F |
2022 |
Noble Yeats |
7 |
10-10 |
E Mullins |
S Waley-Cohen |
50/1 |
2021 |
Minella Times |
8 |
10-9 |
H De Bromhead |
R Blackmore |
11/1 |
2019 |
Tiger Roll |
8 |
11-05 |
G Elliott |
D Russell |
4/1F |
2018 |
Tiger Roll |
8 |
10-13 |
G Elliott |
D Russell |
10/1 |
2017 |
One For Arthur |
8 |
10-11 |
L Russell |
D Fox |
14/1 |
2016 |
Rule The World |
9 |
10-07 |
M Morris |
D Mullins |
30/1 |
2015 |
Many Clouds |
8 |
11-9 |
O Sherwood |
L Aspell |
25/1 |
Responsible Gambling
It is important that punters remember to bet responsibly on the Grand National and during the 2026 National meeting, and utilise the multitude of safer gambling tools that gambling sites provide if needed.
Whether you are using an online casino UK, slot sites, new casinos, or any other gambling medium, be sure to check out and utilise the safer gambling tools, such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.
These facilities can stop gambling from getting out of hand. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling-related problems, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The service is free of charge and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Alternatively, there are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
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