The Grand National is upon us once more, and with the race at Aintree Racecourse scheduled for Saturday, 11 April, the countdown is well and truly on for one of the most extraordinary events in the global sporting calendar. A field of 34 runners and riders will line up for the start, facing the unique challenge of 30 fences over four miles and two and a half furlongs — a test that combines raw speed, jumping ability, stamina, and a fair measure of fortune.
Grand National 2026: Key Details
The Randox Grand National will take place at 4pm BST on Saturday, 11 April, at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. A full field of 34 runners has been declared, and the race will be broadcast live on ITV1 as part of the channel’s comprehensive Aintree Festival coverage. The going at Aintree has been variable through the week, though conditions are expected to ease slightly ahead of Saturday’s contest.
The Favourites: Who to Watch
I Am Maximus, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, heads the market as this year’s favourite. The 10-year-old bay gelding showed tremendous form during the preparation season, though punters will be mindful that a horse aged 10 or older has not won the Grand National since 2014. I Am Maximus will also carry the top weight of 11st 12lb for the second year running, a significant ask even for a horse of his class.
Grangeclare West is a horse that has caught the eye of many serious analysts. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding finished just three lengths behind Nick Rockett in last year’s race, with a mistake at the final fence arguably costing him his chance. He returned to form this February with a winning performance in the Bobbyjo Chase, and he arrives at Aintree fresh and ready. Many regard him as the most likely winner.
Panic Attack, trained by Dan Skelton, represents a fascinating proposition. A mare attempting the Grand National — and attempting to become the first to win since Nickel Coin in 1951 — she has been in brilliant form this season, winning both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup. Skelton, who is challenging for the Champion Trainer title, would love to add the National to his list of achievements.
Each-Way Picks and Dark Horses
Haiti Couleurs carries the hopes of Welsh racing in a bid to become the first Welsh-trained winner since Kirkland in 1905. Trainer Christian Williams has placed the horse well throughout the season, and at a bigger price in the market, the gelding represents excellent each-way value for those willing to take a chance.
One of the most-discussed aspects of Grand National handicapping is the weight carried by each runner. Historical data is clear on this point: horses carrying more than 11 stone 3 pounds have historically found it difficult to win, and eliminating those at the top of the handicap can be a useful starting point. Similarly, the age sweet spot of eight to ten years old has produced nine of the last ten winners.
Aintree’s Iconic Fences
What makes the Grand National unlike any other horse race in the world are its fences. Becher’s Brook, with its infamous ditch landing on the far side, catches out horses and jockeys every year. The Chair, the tallest fence on the course at 5ft 2in with a 6ft ditch in front, is jumped only once during the race. Canal Turn, where horses must turn almost 90 degrees immediately after landing, tests the partnership between horse and rider to its absolute limit.
Valentina’s Crown, the final fence, is deceptively straightforward and has seen many leading horses stumble at the death, turning the race on its head in the final strides. The course demands not just athletic ability but total harmony between horse and jockey.
Aintree Festival and the Wider Card
Saturday’s Grand National is the culmination of a three-day festival at Aintree that includes some outstanding racing across all disciplines. The Randox Aintree Hurdle on Thursday and the Melling Chase on Friday feature leading Graded horses, and the overall quality of the meeting is commensurate with its status as one of the most important fixtures on the National Hunt calendar.
Whether you are attending in person, watching at home on ITV, or following the action at a pub or bookmaker, the Grand National remains one of those rare sporting events that transcends its own sport. The whole nation stops to watch — and on Saturday afternoon, 34 horses and their riders will carry the dreams of millions of British racegoers as they set off towards the first fence.