Grand National Runners 2026: Full Line-Up at Final Declarations Stage
Saturday 11 April 2026 | Final Declarations Confirmed Wednesday 8 April 2026
Click HERE for 2026 Grand National Runners, Riders and Best Odds
The Field Is Set for Aintree’s Grand Old Test
The moment has arrived. The final declarations for the 2026 Grand National are in, the numbers are locked, and barring any late dramas, we now have a 34-runner cavalry charge ready to thunder around Aintree. Once upon a time, forty hopefuls would line up for this famously chaotic spectacle, but since 2023 the field has been trimmed to 34 in the name of safety. That change brought with it a standing start and more forgiving fences—still formidable, mind you, but perhaps slightly less likely to launch horse and rider into orbit.
No surprises crept in between the five-day confirmations and the final cut. Twig clings on at number 34 like the last passenger squeezing onto a packed train, while Pied Piper waits patiently as first reserve, hoping for a late withdrawal and a slice of the action.
What we have, then, is a fascinating mix of proven champions, rising talents, and a handful of hopeful outsiders who’ll need everything to fall perfectly into place. It’s Grand National season, after all—logic is optional, chaos is guaranteed.
The Full 34-Runner Field – A Rolling Cast of Characters
At the top of the weights sits I Am Maximus, carrying 11st 12lbs for Willie Mullins, a horse whose class and stamina credentials are already well established. Close behind comes stablemate Nick Rockett, just a pound lighter, alongside Banbridge from Joseph O’Brien’s yard. Mullins, never one to travel light, also sends out Grangeclare West, while Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe adds further depth near the summit of the handicap.
Rebecca Curtis is represented by Haiti Couleurs, while Spillane’s Tower, trained by Jimmy Mangan, lurks not far behind. Gordon Elliott’s Firefox adds further intrigue, joined by Monty’s Star from Henry de Bromhead’s operation and Spanish Harlem, another Mullins contender in what is starting to feel like a travelling Irish battalion.
Lecky Watson and Champ Kiely continue Mullins’ strong hand, while Iroko flies the flag for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, who also saddle Jagwar further down the weights. Favori de Champdou and Three Card Brag represent Elliott again, with Oscar’s Brother adding another intriguing British-trained name.
As the weights begin to drop, Mr Vango, High Class Hero, and Stellar Story appear, followed by Beauport and Captain Cody. Jagwar sits nicely positioned, alongside Perceval Legallois, Gorgeous Tom, and The Real Whacker, each bringing their own quirks and credentials.
Quai de Bourbon, Answer To Kayf, and Jordans follow, with Final Orders and Marble Sands adding further depth. Panic Attack and Top Of The Bill sit just above the bottom, while Johnnywho and Twig round out the field—Twig very much the late arrival who might just fancy causing mischief.
It’s a line-up that blends experience with ambition, proven stamina with hopeful potential. In other words, exactly what you’d expect from the Grand National.
The Leading Contenders – Big Names and Bigger Expectations
I Am Maximus returns with serious intent, having followed up his 2024 victory with a strong second under top weight. That sort of performance tends to turn heads, and rightly so. A solid effort in the Savills Chase suggests he’s not done just yet, which makes him a very real threat once again.
Grangeclare West, another from the Mullins powerhouse, arrives after a consistent run of form including a third in last year’s National and a solid showing in the Irish Gold Cup. He looks the type who thrives on this sort of test—relentless, demanding, and just a bit unforgiving.
Jagwar has built a reputation through strong performances at Cheltenham, including a win in the TrustATrade Plate and a runner-up finish in the Ultima. That sort of profile tends to translate well to Aintree, provided things go smoothly—which, in this race, is a rather large “if”.
Iroko is another with credentials, having finished fourth in last year’s National and returned well from wind surgery. That said, a tenth-place finish in the Ultima suggests he’ll need to find a bit more to truly challenge.
Johnnywho, meanwhile, arrives off the back of an Ultima victory, a race that has historically been a useful stepping stone. Whether lightning strikes twice remains to be seen, but the parallels are certainly there.
Haiti Couleurs is something of a puzzle. A year ago, he was winning major races, including both the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals. More recently, his Gold Cup effort was less convincing. Which version turns up at Aintree will make all the difference.
The Each-Way Brigade – Dangerous, But Not Obvious
Monty’s Star fits the profile in terms of age and stamina, though a hefty weight and lack of Aintree experience make him more appealing for each-way backers than outright believers.
Nick Rockett, last year’s winner, returns to defend his crown but hasn’t exactly been busy this season. A quiet reappearance raises questions about sharpness, though class is never in doubt.
Oscar’s Brother is an interesting improver, sitting at longer odds but boasting a strong novice profile and Grade 2 form. Horses like this tend to attract interest in the build-up, especially among those hunting for value.
Stellar Story offers outsider appeal, having shown glimpses of promise, including a third-place finish behind Grangeclare West. However, he’ll need both improvement and luck to feature prominently.
Captain Cody has demonstrated consistency and stamina, though a lack of top-level wins suggests he might find a few too good when it matters most.
The Outsiders – Hopeful, Brave, and Possibly Overmatched
Gerri Colombe is a high-class performer but comes into the race with an interrupted preparation and some lingering stamina doubts. Spillane’s Tower, while progressive, lacks a standout victory at the highest level.
Gorgeous Tom and Favori de Champdou bring solid handicap form, though neither appears quite good enough to dominate. Jordans and Final Orders add intrigue, particularly the latter after a strong Cheltenham Cross Country win, though translating that form to Aintree is no guarantee.
Quai de Bourbon remains unexposed and therefore unpredictable, while Banbridge’s class is tempered by questions over stamina. Perceval Legallois looks well suited to the test but may lack the finishing kick.
Further down, Lecky Watson, Twig, and Three Card Brag all have qualities but appear more likely to pick up minor honours than headline glory. High Class Hero and Spanish Harlem offer potential, though experience may count against them.
Champ Kiely, Mr Vango, Marble Sands, and Top Of The Bill round out the longshot contingent, each requiring a significant leap forward. Answer To Kayf and Beauport bring stamina but may struggle for class, while The Real Whacker and Firefox sit somewhere in between—capable, but with questions to answer.
British Hopes – Can They Break the Irish Grip?
Recent history hasn’t been particularly kind to British-trained runners. With Irish yards dominating six of the last eight renewals, the home team has its work cut out.
Iroko stands out as a leading British hope, particularly after last year’s fourth-place finish and subsequent success at Ascot. Jagwar is another strong contender, having pushed Johnnywho close at Cheltenham.
Supporting roles fall to Panic Attack and Haiti Couleurs, both capable on their day but perhaps lacking the consistency required for a race of this magnitude.
Irish Challenge – Strength in Numbers and Quality
If there’s one thing the Irish bring to Aintree, it’s depth. Willie Mullins alone fields a formidable team, including I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West, and Nick Rockett—all with genuine claims.
That trio alone would be enough to cause sleepless nights for the opposition, but when combined with the broader Irish contingent, it becomes clear why they’ve dominated in recent years.
Betting Angle – Finding Value in the Madness
Trying to predict the Grand National is a bit like predicting British weather—occasionally accurate, often baffling, and always open to surprises. Still, that doesn’t stop punters diving in, lured by the promise of bookmaker free bets and the occasional stroke of genius.
Speaking of which, leading bookmaker BOYLE Sports is currently offering new customers a Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets deal, which might just soften the blow if your carefully chosen selection decides to inspect the first fence a little too closely.
There’s no shortage of free bet bonuses floating about at this time of year either, making it an ideal moment for a spot of free betting—just don’t expect the race itself to follow your carefully crafted plans.
The Final Word Before the Roar
The Grand National remains gloriously unpredictable. You can study the form, analyse the weights, and convince yourself you’ve found the winner—only for a 66/1 outsider to gallop past everything in sight.
And that’s precisely why we love it.