The stage is set for one of the world's most iconic sporting events, as the entries for the 2026 Randox Grand National have been officially unveiled. A total of 78 horses are on track to compete in the £1 million steeplechase spectacle at Aintree, scheduled for Saturday, April 11th.
Entry Numbers Decline for Historic Race
This year's list of 78 nominations represents a noticeable decrease compared to recent years. In 2025, 90 horses were entered for the Grand National, while 2024 saw an even larger field of 94 contenders. The 2026 renewal will mark the 178th running of this world-famous race, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of the British sporting calendar despite the slightly smaller entry pool.
Willie Mullins Dominates with Fifteen Entries
Leading the charge is defending champion Nick Rockett, who triumphed in last year's dramatic contest. The star horse headlines an impressive contingent of fifteen entries from the stable of legendary trainer Willie Mullins. This powerful team also includes the 2024 Grand National winner, I Am Maximus, showcasing Mullins' formidable strength in depth for the Aintree showpiece.
Mullins' dominance was emphatically demonstrated in 2025, when his horses secured the first, second, third, and fifth positions. However, the early betting markets for 2026 are focusing on a different contender from that race.
Iroko Emerges as Early Favourite
The horse attracting the most attention from punters is Iroko, who finished fourth in last year's National. Like I Am Maximus, Iroko is owned by billionaire JP McManus. William Hill has installed Iroko as the clear 8-1 favourite for the 2026 race.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps commented: "Iroko is very much the horse punters want to be with at this stage and he's comfortably our biggest ante-post liability for the Randox Grand National. He ran a cracking race to finish fourth last year and support has been eye-catchingly strong, which is why he heads the market at 8/1 and would be by far our worst result."
Betting Market Takes Shape
Behind the favourite, the market is beginning to solidify. I Am Maximus is positioned as the second favourite at 12-1, with Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs available at 14-1. The defending champion, Nick Rockett, is currently priced at 25-1 to secure back-to-back victories.
Phelps added further insight into the betting landscape: "I Am Maximus is another who is keeping our traders on their toes. His Grade 1 second over Christmas reminded everyone of his class and he's been well backed again, leaving him a solid 12/1 second favourite as punters look for history to repeat itself at Aintree."
Irish Influence and Wider Contenders
The international flavour of the race remains strong, with 49 of the 78 entries being Irish-trained horses. This significant contingent underscores the event's global appeal and competitive nature.
Other horses attracting interest include Monty's Star, whose performance in the Irish Gold Cup has seen his odds shorten from 33-1 to 25-1. "We've also seen a bit of interest further down the list," noted Phelps. "Monty's Star caught the eye when taking on Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup and that effort has seen him trimmed into 25/1 from 33s."
With a plethora of strong staying types available at larger prices, the 2026 Grand National is shaping up to be a fascinating and wide-open contest from a betting perspective. The next key milestone will be the weights announcement on Tuesday, February 17th, which will provide further clarity for connections and punters alike.
The Randox Grand National continues to capture the imagination of the sporting public, blending history, drama, and elite competition in a unique test of horse and rider. The 2026 edition promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in the race's storied legacy.
