The Grand National Festival 2026 kicked off at Aintree on Thursday, with Mange Tout securing victory in the opening race of the three-day meeting. The day featured seven races, including four Grade One events, building up to Saturday's Randox Grand National.
Trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Harry Skelton celebrated their first winner of the festival as Mange Tout triumphed. Other notable winners included Brighterdaysahead in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle for Gordon Elliott, Jango Baie in the Racing Welfare Bowl Chase for Nico de Boinville, and Koktail Divin in the Manifesto Novices' Chase for Henry De Bromhead.
Ryan's Rocket won the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase at 14/1, while Barton Snow took the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase. However, the penultimate race saw Jax Junior collapse at the finish line; the horse was later walked into a horse ambulance and taken to stables for assessment.
Earlier, Pied Piper was withdrawn from the Grand National, following Nick Rockett's earlier exit. The festival continues on Friday and Saturday, with the big race expected to draw huge crowds.
