The Grand National, horse racing's premier event, returns to Aintree in 2026 with a thrilling lineup of 34 contenders, headlined by the favourite, 2024 champion I Am Maximus. This year's race promises high stakes as I Am Maximus aims to become the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s to reclaim the title after a loss.
Grand National 2026: Key Details and Schedule
The race is scheduled for Saturday, 11 April 2026, starting at 4pm BST at Aintree Racecourse. The event will be broadcast live on ITV1, with extensive coverage throughout the week, including Ladies Day on Friday, 10 April, featuring a packed schedule of races such as the William Hill Handicap Hurdle and the Jcb Melling Chase.
Runners and Riders: Full Field Announced
Official declarations confirmed a full field of 34 horses, with no withdrawals at the 72-hour stage. Reigning champion Nick Rockett has been declared a non-runner due to a cough, but the lineup remains strong. Key partnerships include Paul Townend riding I Am Maximus for trainer Willie Mullins, and Patrick Mullins on Grangeclare West, another Mullins-trained hopeful.
The complete list of runners and riders is as follows:
- I Am Maximus; Paul Townend; Willie Mullins
- Banbridge; JJ Slevin; Joseph O'Brien
- Grangeclare West; Patrick Mullins; Willie Mullins
- Gerri Colombe; Jack Kennedy; Gordon Elliott
- Haiti Couleurs; Sean Bowen; Rebecca Curtis
- Spillane's Tower; TBC; Jimmy Mangan
- Firefox; Keith Donoghue; Gordon Elliott
- Monty's Star; TBC; Henry de Bromhead
- Spanish Harlem; Brian Hayes; Willie Mullins
- Lecky Watson; Sean O'Keeffe; Willie Mullins
- Champ Kiely; Danny Mullins; Willie Mullins
- Iroko; Jonjo O'Neill Jr; Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Favori De Champdou; Danny Gilligan; Gordon Elliott
- Three Card Brag; Jordan Rainford; Gordon Elliott
- Oscars Brother; Daniel King; Connor King
- Mr Vango; Jack Tudor; Sara Bradstock
- High Class Hero; James Bowen; Willie Mullins
- Stellar Story; Robert Dunne; Gordon Elliott
- Beauport; Sam Twiston-Davies; Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- Captain Cody; Jonathan Burke; Willie Mullins
- Jagwar; TBC; Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Perceval Legallois; Harry Cobden; Gavin Cromwell
- Gorgeous Tom; Sean Flanagan; Henry de Bromhead
- The Real Whacker; Gavin Sheehan; Patrick Neville
- Quai De Bourbon; Donagh Meyler; Willie Mullins
- Answer To Kayf; John Shinnick; Terence O'Brien
- Jordans; Ben Jones; Joseph O'Brien
- Final Orders; Conor Stone-Walsh; Gavin Cromwell
- Marble Sands; Kielan Woods; David Killahena & Graeme McPherson
- Panic Attack; Harry Skelton; Dan Skelton
- Top Of The Bill; Toby McCain-Mitchell; Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- Johnnywho; Richie McLernon; Jonjo & A J O'Neill
- Twig; Beau Morgan; Ben Pauling
- Pied Piper; TBC; TBC
Reserves include Imperial Saint, Amirite, Ain't That A Shame, Soul Icon, and Hyland, who will step in if any withdrawals occur.
Latest Odds and Favourites
I Am Maximus leads the betting at 7/1, followed by Grangeclare West at 9/1 and Jagwar at 10/1. Other notable contenders include Iroko at 12/1 and Panic Attack at 14/1, making for a competitive and unpredictable race.
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