StableBet Editorial Team
UK horse racing experts · Last reviewed 2026-04-01
Grand National 2026 Tips
The 2026 Randox Grand National takes place on Saturday 11 April at Aintree. Final declarations are confirmed on Wednesday 8 April at 10am, and betting markets are already well-formed.
Willie Mullins goes into the race with his most dominant entry yet — nine or ten horses in a field of 34. Gordon Elliott brings a strong Irish team. The two British yards most likely to threaten are Dan Skelton's and the Greenall & Guerriero operation, which saddles both Jagwar and Iroko for JP McManus.
Below are our selections: a nap, a second string, an each-way value pick, and a longer-priced alternative. All odds are ante-post from 1 April — they will shorten as declarations approach.
Responsible betting reminder: The Grand National field is enormous and upsets are common. Use each-way markets and consider small stakes across multiple selections rather than one large bet.
Our Best Bets for the 2026 Grand National
Tip 1 — Jagwar (Each-Way, 10/1–12/1)
Jagwar is our headline selection. Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, owned by JP McManus, and ridden by Mark Walsh, he ticks the key boxes that matter in a Grand National.
He finished second in the 2026 Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham — beaten half a length by stablemate Johnnywho — and his trainer has specifically said Aintree's long, flat straight will suit him better than Cheltenham's climbing bends. Mark Walsh, one of the most experienced National Hunt jockeys in the world, is confirmed in the saddle.
His Grand National handicap mark of 152 is 5lb below his official rating, meaning he gets in on a lenient weight. He carries 10st 10lb — well within the optimal weight band — and has the pace to race prominently before the fatigue sets in over the final circuit.
Why he can win: Cheltenham Ultima winners have a strong recent National record. He is ideally weighted. Mark Walsh knows how to ride Aintree. The trainer is confident.
Stat to note: Two of the last four Grand National winners ran in the Cheltenham Ultima before Aintree.
Tip 2 — Grangeclare West (Each-Way, 10/1)
Grangeclare West finished third in the 2025 Grand National and has been specifically targeted at the 2026 race by Willie Mullins. He won the Bobbyjo Chase in February — the most reliable Aintree trial — which sparked a market move from 25/1 to 10/1.
Carrying 11st 10lb is the main question mark; history is not kind to top-weighted horses. But at 10/1 each-way with most bookmakers paying five places, the risk is worth taking in a race where proven form over the course counts for a lot.
Why he can win: Tested at Aintree, proven stayer, peak preparation timed around this race.
Risk: 11-10 weight has not won the National since Red Rum carried 12st in 1974. Every pound matters over 4m2½f.
Tip 3 (NAP) — Iroko (Each-Way, 10/1)
Iroko is our nap. He finished fourth in the 2025 Grand National and is a stronger horse in 2026. He won the Howden Graduation Chase at Ascot in December, confirming his form over fences, and carries just 11st 1lb — three pounds less than Grangeclare West and comfortably within the weight band.
His last run in the Ultima at Cheltenham was disappointing, but trainer Greenall confirmed he scoped dirty afterwards — mucus in the airway — meaning the run should be ignored. A clean scope and a full preparation since have the yard confident.
Jonjo O'Neill Jr rides. He has significant experience on Iroko and knows how to get a horse settled over the National fences.
Why he can win: Known Aintree performer. Lenient weight. Strong form when right. Cheltenham run has a clear excuse. Experienced jockey.
Risk: If the airway issue wasn't fully resolved, the Cheltenham run may be more significant than the trainer admits.
Each-Way Value Picks
Most bookmakers pay five places in the Grand National at 1/5 odds. With 34 runners, five-place each-way terms are reasonable — if your horse finishes in the first five, you collect on the place portion.
Haiti Couleurs (16/1–25/1)
The storyline here is significant: Haiti Couleurs won the 2025 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and the 2025 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. A win at Aintree would complete all three Grand Nationals — a feat no horse has achieved in the modern era.
Trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by champion jockey Sean Bowen, the horse was pulled up in the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup, which caused market drift. Curtis remains committed to running, describing the National as "a more suitable race" for a horse she says is a pure marathon performer.
At 25/1 each-way with a historic narrative and a top jockey booked, there is value even if the Gold Cup run raised doubts.
Caution: Carrying 11-10. The Gold Cup run cannot be fully explained away.
Johnnywho (16/1 — reserve, needs a withdrawal)
Johnnywho won the 2026 Cheltenham Ultima Handicap Chase at 18/1, beating Jagwar in a photo finish. His odds for the National were cut from 50/1 to 16/1 overnight. He is currently listed as reserve number 36 — but with a field of 34 plus six reserves, he needs just one late withdrawal to get in.
He has Aintree experience (fifth in the Grand Sefton Chase in November 2025 over the National fences), is 6lb well-handicapped on official figures, and the Ultima win showed the wind surgery and first-time cheekpieces have transformed him.
Monitor declarations on Wednesday 8 April. If he gets in, 16/1 is a strong each-way price for a horse with both Cheltenham and Aintree form.
Nick Rockett (20/1)
The defending champion. Trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Patrick Mullins (amateur), he won the 2025 National at 33/1 and has been raised 4lb by the handicapper for 2026.
Back-to-back winners are rare — but not impossible. His prep this season was light (one run, a third at Down Royal in March) which could mean he arrives fresh or slightly undercooked. At 20/1, there is value if you believe Mullins has got the preparation right.
Key Grand National Trends
These are the statistical patterns most consistent over the last 20–30 runnings. No single trend guarantees a winner, but they help narrow the field.
Weight
The weight band 10st 0lb to 11st 6lb has produced almost every winner in the modern era. The last horse to win carrying 11st 10lb or more was Red Rum in 1974 carrying 12st. Many Clouds won in 2015 carrying 11st 9lb — the heaviest winner in decades.
This immediately narrows the market. I Am Maximus (11-12) and Nick Rockett (11-11) face a significant historical barrier, however strong their form.
Sweet spot: 10st 8lb to 11st 2lb.
Age
Eight to ten year olds have dominated. Nine is statistically the best age. Very few horses older than 12 have won, and recent trends suggest the 8–10 bracket is increasingly dominant.
I Am Maximus (10), Iroko (8), Jagwar (age unconfirmed but young), Grangeclare West (10), Haiti Couleurs — all fall in the right age range.
Course form
Horses with previous runs at Aintree — particularly over the National fences — show a significantly better record than debutants. Grangeclare West (3rd 2025), Iroko (4th 2025), Nick Rockett (won 2025), Johnnywho (5th Grand Sefton) all have that profile.
Cheltenham Ultima
Two of the last four Grand National winners ran in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham weeks before. Jagwar and Johnnywho both ran in the 2026 Ultima.
Trainer record
Willie Mullins won with I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025). A third successive win would be extraordinary. Gordon Elliott has won it three times. Both yards have the horses and the experience.
Summing up
Apply the filters and the field narrows quickly:
| Horse | Weight | Age | Aintree form | Ultima | |---|---|---|---|---| | Iroko | 11-1 ✓ | 8 ✓ | 4th 2025 ✓ | Ran (poor) | | Jagwar | 10-10 ✓ | Young ✓ | No | 2nd ✓ | | Grangeclare West | 11-10 ✗ | 10 ✓ | 3rd 2025 ✓ | No | | Haiti Couleurs | 11-10 ✗ | — | No | No | | Nick Rockett | 11-11 ✗ | 9 ✓ | Won 2025 ✓ | No | | I Am Maximus | 11-12 ✗ | 10 ✓ | 2nd 2025 ✓ | No |
Iroko and Jagwar clear the most filters. That is why they are our primary selections.
Grand National 2026 Tips — FAQ
What time is the Grand National 2026?
The race is scheduled for 4:00pm BST on Saturday 11 April 2026 at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.
When are the final runners confirmed?
Final declarations are made on Wednesday 8 April at 10am. The full field of 34 plus reserves is confirmed at that point. Any tips given before then are subject to change if a horse is withdrawn.
How many places do bookmakers pay each-way?
Most bookmakers pay five places at 1/5 odds for the Grand National. Some offer six places, particularly for ante-post markets. Check your bookmaker's terms before placing.
Is I Am Maximus worth backing?
I Am Maximus won the 2024 National and finished second in 2025. He is the market favourite at around 8/1. The concern is his weight: 11-12 has not been a winning weight in the modern era. He is a class performer but his price does not fully reflect the weight burden he carries.
What is the best each-way bet for the Grand National 2026?
Based on our analysis, Iroko and Jagwar represent the best each-way value. Both carry low-to-moderate weights, have strong recent form, and are trained by yards with proven National records. Johnnywho at 16/1 is worth monitoring — he needs a withdrawal to get in, but is excellent value if he makes the field.
Who is the trainer to follow in 2026?
Willie Mullins. He saddles approximately nine or ten of the 34 runners, including the top two weights. He has won the last two Nationals. Even backing one of his lesser-fancied runners each-way represents a smart strategy given the sheer number of live chances.
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