Grand National 2026: I Am Maximus Heads the Betting as Aintree Festival Approaches
The 2026 Grand National Festival is just days away, with the iconic three-day meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool running from Thursday 9 April to Saturday 11 April — and the bookmakers have installed I Am Maximus as the early favourite to claim the sport's most famous prize.
Trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, I Am Maximus won the Grand National in 2024 and finished runner-up last year, making him the most decorated horse in the current field. He will carry top weight in this year's race, which gets under way at 4:00 PM BST on Saturday 11 April over the famous 4 miles and 2½ furlongs course.
Background
The Grand National is the most watched horse race in the United Kingdom, attracting tens of millions of viewers and drawing enormous crowds to Aintree each year. The race covers 30 fences over two laps, including the notorious Becher's Brook and The Chair. A maximum of 34 horses will compete, whittled down from an initial entry list of 54 following final declarations on Wednesday 8 April.
Key Developments
Defending champion Nick Rockett, also trained by Willie Mullins, returns to defend his title after finishing third on his reappearance at Down Royal in March. Mullins has an extraordinary 10 horses on the current entry list, giving him an unparalleled grip on the race. Other leading contenders include Grangeclare West, who won the Bobbyjo Chase — a key Aintree trial — and Haiti Couleurs, a facile winner of the Welsh National.
The mare Panic Attack has attracted significant attention after a sensational season that included wins in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup. Jagwar, who finished second in the Ultima at Cheltenham, is also prominent in the market, though his jumping can be inconsistent. Iroko, an ante-post favourite earlier in the season, had a wind operation and won at Ascot but disappointed at Cheltenham.
Ladies Day on Friday 10 April and Opening Day on Thursday 9 April both feature Grade 1 races, including the Aintree Bowl and the Aintree Hurdle, making the full three-day festival a major event in the British sporting calendar.
Why It Matters
The Grand National is one of the most significant events in the British sporting and cultural calendar, generating enormous economic activity for Liverpool and the wider North West of England. For racing fans across the UK and Ireland, it represents the climax of the National Hunt season.
What's Next
Final declarations will be made on Wednesday 8 April, confirming the 34 runners. Racegoers and viewers can follow all the action live on ITV Racing. Full race details and odds are available via ESPN.
