Grand National 2026: Date, Time, Runners, Odds, Favourites and Full Aintree Guide
Saturday, April 11, 2026 – 4:00 p.m. BST – Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
The Cheltenham Festival has barely had time to cool off before the racing world collectively turns its gaze towards something altogether bigger, louder and infinitely more chaotic—the Grand National 2026. It’s the race that drags in everyone, from hardened racing devotees armed with notebooks and opinions to the once-a-year punter who picks a horse based entirely on its name and a vague sense of optimism.
This isn’t just another fixture on the calendar. It’s a near-190-year-old institution, a spectacle that has burrowed its way deep into the British sporting psyche. And, as ever, it promises drama, unpredictability and the occasional moment of complete disbelief.
The defending champion, Nick Rockett, is back to try and repeat last year’s success, while I Am Maximus—winner in 2024 and runner-up last year—returns as the market leader once again. The stage is set, the field is stacked, and the question remains the same as always: who on earth is going to win it?
Naturally, as anticipation builds, so too does the chatter around bookmaker offers. There’s no shortage of tempting deals floating about, with free bets popping up here and there like confetti. Even leading Grand National bookmaker BOYLE Sports have joined the party with their Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets offer, which, let’s be honest, is the sort of thing that convinces people they absolutely do understand racing after all.
The Grand National Challenge: Distance, Fences and Pure Chaos
The Grand National is not just long—it’s properly long. At 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, it stands as one of the most demanding races in the sport. Thirty-four runners will line up, each with dreams of immortality, all knowing that only one will get to enjoy it.
Over the course of the race, horses must navigate 30 fences—16 on the first circuit and 14 on the second. And these are not your everyday obstacles. Names like Becher’s Brook and The Chair carry a reputation that precedes them, even if modern adjustments have softened their edges slightly in the name of safety.
That said, “softened” is doing some heavy lifting. These fences still demand respect. Get it wrong, and your race is over. Get it right, and you’re still only halfway there.
The pace is relentless, the margin for error minimal, and the closing stages often resemble something between a sprint and a survival exercise. Most winners cross the line in around nine minutes and ten seconds, though the record—set by Mr Frisk at a blistering 8 minutes and 47.8 seconds—still looms in the background, waiting for the perfect conditions to be challenged.
Aintree Awaits: When and Where
The Grand National takes place on Saturday, April 11, with the big race scheduled for 4:00 p.m. BST at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. It is the centrepiece of a three-day festival that builds steadily towards that moment when the tapes go up and everything else fades into the background.
The Three-Day Festival Build-Up
The meeting begins on Thursday, April 9, with an opening day packed with top-class racing. The Boodles Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle gets things underway at 1.45 p.m., before the Manifesto Novices’ Chase and the Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase follow in quick succession. As the afternoon unfolds, the Foxhunters’ Chase and the Aintree Hurdle take centre stage, with the Red Rum Handicap Chase and the Nickel Coin Mares’ race bringing the curtain down.
Friday, April 10—better known as Ladies Day—adds a touch of glamour to proceedings, though the racing remains as serious as ever. The Mildmay Novices’ Chase kicks things off, followed by the Handicap Hurdle and the Top Novices’ Hurdle. The Melling Chase and Topham Handicap Chase provide further highlights, before the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle and the concluding handicap round things off.
By the time Saturday arrives, everything leads to the main event. The day begins with the Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle, followed by the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and the Freebooter Handicap Chase. The Liverpool Hurdle sets the stage perfectly before the Grand National takes centre stage at 4 p.m. The day concludes with the Maghull Novices’ Chase and a National Hunt Flat race to close the meeting.
How to Watch the Grand National 2026
For those planning to follow every moment, coverage is widely available. The entire three-day festival will be broadcast on ITVX and Racing TV, while the Grand National itself will be shown live on ITV1 at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
There’s also the option to follow along via ESPN’s live blog, ideal for those who prefer their racing updates with a running commentary and the occasional dramatic flourish.
The Grand National 2026 Runners and Odds
This year’s field is as competitive as ever, featuring 34 declared runners, each bringing their own story into the race.
At the head of the market sits I Am Maximus at 7/1, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins. Close behind is Grangeclare West at 9/1, with Jagwar at 10/1 and Iroko and Panic Attack both at 12/1.
Haiti Couleurs and Johnnywho are priced at 14/1, while Captain Cody, Nick Rockett and Oscars Brother all sit at 16/1. Monty’s Star follows at 20/1, with Final Orders, Gorgeous Tom and Stellar Story each available at 25/1.
Further down the list, Gerri Colombe, Jordans and Perceval Legallois are priced at 28/1, while Favori De Champdou, Quai De Bourbon and Spillane’s Tower come in at 33/1.
Champ Kiely, Lecky Watson and Spanish Harlem are all at 40/1, with Answer To Kayf, Banbridge and Three Card Brag at 50/1. Firefox, High Class Hero and Twig are priced at 66/1, followed by Mr Vango at 80/1.
The Real Whacker is a 100/1 outsider, while Beauport, Marble Sands and Top Of The Bill sit at 125/1.
Should any late changes occur, reserves include Imperial Saint at 66/1, with Amirite, Deep Cave and Pied Piper all at 100/1, and Ain’t That A Shame and Buddy One at 125/1.
As always, markets will fluctuate, and with so many variables in play, even the best-laid plans can unravel in seconds. That’s part of the charm—and the frustration.
Who Are the Favourites?
Unsurprisingly, I Am Maximus heads the betting once again. The ten-year-old returns with proven class and course form, though history casts a shadow—no horse since Red Rum in 1974 has carried top weight to victory.
Grangeclare West is another popular selection, having finished close behind Nick Rockett last year. His tendency to make the odd mistake remains a concern, but his recent win suggests he remains in strong form.
Jagwar represents the progressive angle, though questions remain about his stamina over such an extreme distance. Iroko, meanwhile, brings strong previous Aintree form but arrives after a slightly underwhelming latest run.
Elsewhere, Haiti Couleurs carries hopes of becoming the first Welsh-trained winner since 1905, while Johnnywho arrives off the back of a promising performance following a wind operation.
Nick Rockett himself returns as defending champion, though his weight and preparation could prove challenging.
Prize Money and What’s at Stake
The Grand National offers a total prize fund of £1 million, with £500,000 going to the winner. Second place earns £200,000, while third receives £100,000.
From there, the prize money continues to filter down, with fourth collecting £65,000, fifth £40,000, and sixth £30,000. Even finishing tenth brings a £5,000 reward, ensuring plenty of incentive throughout the field.
Typically, owners take the lion’s share—around 80%—with the remainder distributed among trainers, jockeys and stable staff.
A Look Back at Recent Winners
The Grand National’s history stretches back to 1839, when Lottery claimed victory in the inaugural running. More recently, the roll of honour includes Nick Rockett in 2025 and I Am Maximus in 2024.
Before that came Corach Rambler in 2023, Noble Yeats in 2022, and Minella Times in 2021. The race was cancelled in 2020, though Tiger Roll had already etched his name into history with back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019.
Each year adds another chapter, another story, another reminder that in this race, anything can happen.
The Final Word
The Grand National 2026 promises to deliver everything we’ve come to expect—drama, unpredictability, and the occasional moment of pure madness. Whether you’re studying the form in detail or simply enjoying the spectacle, it remains one of the great sporting events.
And yes, there will be plenty of free bets and free betting offers floating around, tempting you into thinking you’ve spotted the winner. Maybe you have. More likely, you haven’t. But that’s half the fun.