The world’s most famous horse race is almost upon us. The Grand National 2026 takes place at Aintree on Saturday 11 April, with a start time of 4:00 PM BST and a first prize of £500,000. A field of 34 runners and riders will face 30 fences over 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, with bookmakers expecting over £250 million in bets to be placed on the race from across the country. Here’s everything you need to know.
Going and Key Race Details
The going at Aintree is reported as Good to Soft, Good in places, which should suit horses that can handle slightly testing conditions without requiring a bog. The race will be broadcast live on ITV1 and Racing TV, with coverage building throughout the day from the earlier card. If you’re planning a sweepstake at the office or hosting a viewing party, now is the time to get your grid sorted.
Top Runners and Odds
I Am Maximus heads the market as a general 7-1 favourite, carrying top weight as he attempts an extraordinary feat — winning the National for a second time after his 2024 victory, and having finished runner-up last year too. No horse has a better recent Aintree record in the race, and trainer Willie Mullins knows these fences better than anyone. The fact that he’s carrying the highest weight makes his task harder, but it hasn’t stopped punters backing him.
Grangeclare West, another Mullins runner, sits next in the market at around 10-1. He finished third last year and won the Bobbyjo Chase in preparation for this — a race that has historically served as an excellent stepping stone for Grand National contenders. If Mullins is going to win again, Grangeclare West could be his best chance of a second consecutive victory after Nick Rockett’s success in 2025.
Jagwar is attracting significant interest from punters and traders alike. Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero and owned by JP McManus, he was beaten only half a length in the Ultima at Cheltenham, suggesting his stamina for the trip is very much there. Mark Walsh rides. Panic Attack, trained by Dan Skelton, has been no bigger than 12-1 and is expected to run well for a team that has been targeting this race for months.
Nick Rockett, last year’s winner under Patrick Mullins at 33-1, returns as the defending champion but has been seen only once since his Aintree triumph, finishing third at Down Royal. Whether he can replicate that effort on 11 April remains to be seen, but history suggests National winners can go back-to-back.
Tips and Analysis
The numbers point towards a few key markers for a Grand National winner. Nine of the last ten winners had won or placed over at least three miles in the same season. The ideal weight is 11st 00lbs or less, and the sweet spot for age is 8 or 9 years old — the last horse older than nine to win was in 2014. Horses that can travel close to the pace rather than being shuffled back tend to have a better record in recent renewals.
Iroko is an interesting each-way option. He finished fourth last year and has since won impressively, though he did fail to fire at the Cheltenham Festival. Johnnywho has been talked up quietly by connections and could emerge as the best British-trained runner. At bigger prices, Haiti Couleurs is worth a look in the each-way market.
How to Watch
The Grand National is free to watch on ITV1 in the UK. Build-up coverage begins in the afternoon, with the big race itself at 4:00 PM. If you can’t get to a screen, Racing TV and the ITV Hub both have streaming options. Aintree is sold out for raceday, but the atmosphere on TV is electric enough to make you feel like you’re there.
Whatever you back, please gamble responsibly. Set a limit before you start and stick to it. The Grand National is one of the greatest sporting occasions of the year, and enjoying it is the priority.