Grand National 2026: I Am Maximus Heads the Field as Aintree's Greatest Race Approaches
The world's most famous steeplechase takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on Saturday 11 April, with the 2024 winner I Am Maximus heading a field of 34 horses over the iconic 4 miles and 2½ furlongs course — and the race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, I Am Maximus arrives as the clear favourite. The ten-year-old won the race in 2024, finished second in 2025, and his proven Aintree aptitude gives him a significant edge over rivals who have never tackled the unique demands of the course.
The Main Contenders
The most compelling storyline of the 2026 race centres on Panic Attack, a mare trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton. Should she win, she would become the first female horse to take the Grand National in 75 years. Panic Attack won both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup in late 2025 and finished third in the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Her trainer believes she possesses the temperament, jumping ability, and stamina required for the unique demands of Aintree.
Grangeclare West, also trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins, finished third in the 2025 Grand National and won the Bobbyjo Chase in February 2026 — a significant National trial. However, he carries more weight this year and his jumping can be inconsistent. Favori de Champdou, trained by Gordon Elliott, arrives in excellent form following victories at Leopardstown and Cheltenham, and a second-place finish in the Cross Country race at the Festival.
Key Developments
The 2025 winner, Nick Rockett, has been declared a non-runner due to coughing, opening the race up considerably. Other notable contenders include Jagwar, who performed well at Cheltenham; Johnnywho, who won the Ultima at Cheltenham; and Haiti Couleurs, who won both the Welsh Grand National and the Irish Grand National this season, though his performance is highly dependent on soft ground conditions.
Oscars Brother, an eight-year-old novice trained by Connor King, has had a remarkable season with three wins and a fourth place at the Cheltenham Festival, and is considered a progressive young horse with the potential to surprise the more experienced runners.
Why It Matters
The Grand National is the most watched horse race in the UK and Ireland, attracting an estimated 600 million viewers worldwide. For many people, it is the only race they bet on all year. The race has undergone significant safety improvements in recent years, with alterations to several fences, and organisers are confident the 2026 edition will showcase the best of jump racing.
For Irish racing fans, the race carries particular significance given the dominance of Irish-trained horses in recent years, with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott between them responsible for a large proportion of the field.
What's Next
The race is scheduled for 4:00 PM BST on Saturday 11 April. Live coverage will be available on ITV and across all major bookmakers' streaming platforms. The going at Aintree is expected to be good to soft, which should suit most of the leading contenders.
Full runners and riders details available at GrandNational.org.uk and BBC Sport.
