The biggest event in the horse racing calendar, the Grand National, is back as Aintree is set to host the annual festival of jump racing.
The official declarations for the race went as expected, with no withdrawals at the 72-hour declarations stage, so 2024 winner I Am Maximus headlines a 34-strong field as the favourite – trying to become the first horse since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s to regain the title having lost it.
Paul Townend is back in the saddle for Willie Mullins’ charge, reprising the partnership that found success two years ago, while Patrick Mullins – who won on 33/1 shot Nick Rockett last year – is on his dad’s other major fancy, Grangeclare West.
A number of other horses such as Jagwar, Iroko and Panic Attack are high up in the betting as a fascinating race looks set to be contested once more.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s race:
When and where is the Grand National 2026?
The Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, 11 April, with the race starting at 4pm BST.
Who are the runners and riders for the Grand National 2026?
The field was made official with Wednesday morning’s final declarations, as a full field of 34 horses was announced.
Horse; jockey; trainer
- 1. I Am Maximus; Paul Townend; Willie Mullins
- 2. Nick Rockett; Tom Bellamy; Willie Mullins
- 3. Banbridge; JJ Slevin; Joseph O’Brien
- 4. Grangeclare West; Patrick Mullins; Willie Mullins
- 5. Gerri Colombe; Jack Kennedy; Gordon Elliott
- 6. Haiti Couleurs; Sean Bowen; Rebecca Curtis
- 7. Spillane’s Tower; TBC; Jimmy Mangan
- 8. Firefox; Keith Donoghue; Gordon Elliott
- 9. Monty’s Star; TBC; Henry de Bromhead
- 10. Spanish Harlem; Brian Hayes; Willie Mullins
- 11. Lecky Watson; Sean O’Keeffe; Willie Mullins
- 12. Champ Kiely; Danny Mullins; Willie Mullins
- 13. Iroko; Jonjo O’Neill Jr; Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- 14. Favori De Champdou; Danny Gilligan; Gordon Elliott
- 15. Three Card Brag; Jordan Rainford; Gordon Elliott
- 16. Oscars Brother; Daniel King; Connor King
- 17. Mr Vango; Jack Tudor; Sara Bradstock
- 18. High Class Hero; James Bowen; Willie Mullins
- 19. Stellar Story; Robert Dunne; Gordon Elliott
- 20. Beauport; Sam Twiston-Davies; Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- 21. Captain Cody; Jonathan Burke; Willie Mullins
- 22. Jagwar; TBC; Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- 23. Perceval Legallois; Harry Cobden; Gavin Cromwell
- 24. Gorgeous Tom; Sean Flanagan; Henry de Bromhead
- 25. The Real Whacker; Gavin Sheehan; Patrick Neville
- 26. Quai De Bourbon; Donagh Meyler; Willie Mullins
- 27. Answer To Kayf; John Shinnick; Terence O’Brien
- 28. Jordans; Ben Jones; Joseph O’Brien
- 29. Final Orders; Conor Stone-Walsh; Gavin Cromwell
- 30. Marble Sands; Kielan Woods; David Killahena & Graeme McPherson
- 31. Panic Attack; Harry Skelton; Dan Skelton
- 32. Top Of The Bill; Toby McCain-Mitchell; Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- 33. Johnnywho; Richie McLernon; Jonjo & A J O’Neill
- 34. Twig; Beau Morgan; Ben Pauling
Reserves (in order of who will get a run should there be a withdrawal):
- Pied Piper
- Imperial Saint
- Amirite
- Ain’t That A Shame
- Soul Icon
- Hyland
Who are the favourites?
I Am Maximus 7/1
Grangeclare West 9/1
Jagwar 10/1
Iroko 12/1
Panic Attack 14/1
Oscars Brother 16/1
Captain Cody 16/1
Johnnywho 16/1
Haiti Couleurs 16/1
Nick Rockett 16/1
How can I watch the Grand National 2026?
You can watch the race on ITV1 with ITV Racing broadcasting the racing throughout the week, with three days of action for fans to get stuck into.
Racing schedule and times
Thursday 9 April - Opening Day
13:45 - Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
14:20 - William Hill Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1½f
14:55 - The Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f
15:30 - Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase 2m 5f
16:05 - William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
16:40 - Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m
17:15 - Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f
Friday 10 April - Ladies Day
13:45 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f
14:20 - Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f
14:55 - Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m ½f
15:30 - Jcb Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
16:05 - Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 5f
16:40 - Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
17:15 - Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys' And Amateur Riders' Race) 2m ½f
Saturday 11 April - Grand National
12:45 - Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m
13:20 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3m ½f
13:55 - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
14:30 - William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f
15:05 - Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
16:00 - Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) 4m 2½f
17:00 - Weatherbys Nhstallions.Co.Uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f
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