Gordon Elliott Grand National 2026 Runners: Horses, Runners, Races & Chances Preview

Gordon Elliott has three Grand National victories to his credit, scoring with Silver Birch (2007) and the popular Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019). His other notable winners at the Aintree Grand National Festival include Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl 2024 and Mildmay Novices Chase 2025.

He also saddled Sire Du Berlais to win the Liverpool Hurdle in 2022 and 2023 and has won the Mersey Novices Hurdle for the past four seasons. There are six Gordon Elliott Grand National entries this year and we have picked the three that appear to have the best chance of victory. 

Gordon Elliott Best Chances in Grand National 

Stellar Story has each-way Grand National chance on best form

Stellar Story goes for the Grand National following a fair third to Grangeclare West at Fairyhouse in February. He cut out much of the running that day but a mistake at the second last ended his challenge. You have to go back to Punchestown in November 2024 for his last victory but he has been placed several times at Grade 1 level.

He was far from disgraced when third to Grey Dawning in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last year and that form gives him an each-way chance. Stellar Story will be partnered by Robbie Dunne on Saturday.

Gerri Colombe the class act among Gordon Elliott Grand National entries

Gerri Colombe is a high class performer who finished runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The grey is already twice a winner at the Grand National Festival meeting, winning the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl in 2024.

He chased home Grangeclare West at Fairyhouse in February before winning by five lengths at Down Royal last month. The ten-year-old has won seven of his thirteen chases and only finished out of the frame on one occasion. He takes his chance here in preference to the Bowl this year and will be ridden by stable number one jockey Jack Kennedy.

Favori De Champdou a lively Gordon Elliott Grand National outsider

Favori De Champdou is an interesting Grand National outsider, racing in the famous Gigginstown House Stud colours of Tiger Roll. He sprang a 66-1 surprise to win the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December. He showed that it was no fluke when following up in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in January.

That victory ensured that he started hot favourite when returning for the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival. He ran a good race but lost out after a prolonged battle with Final Orders. He was conceding almost a stone to the winner so there was no disgrace in that defeat and odds of around 40-1 are tempting for the French import who will be ridden by Danny Gilligan. The six Gordon Elliott Grand National runners are completed by Firefox (Keith Donoghue), Three Card Brag (Jordan Gainford) and 100-1 outsider Pied Piper who sneaked in as a reserve on Thursday morning.

Gordon Elliott best chances at Aintree Festival meeting

Gordon Elliott Grand National day chance for Kala Conti

The six-year-old mare Kala Conti represents Elliott in the Maghull Novices Chase which opens the card on Grand National day. She enjoyed back-to-back victories at Cork before finishing second to Sixmilebridge in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown at the end of January.

Kala Conti held an alternative engagement in the Manifesto Novices Chase on Thursday against the likes of Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba but this looks the easier option. Her main rival here looks to be the Willie Mullins-trained Salvator Mundi.

Honesty Policy favourite to give Gordon Elliott Liverpool Hurdle victory

Gordon Elliott scratched ante-post favourite Wodhooh from the Liverpool Hurdle on Thursday morning but he still has a leading chance with Honesty Policy. The six-year-old finished a close fifth in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham and is fancied to reverse the form with the winner Home By The Lee.

Honesty Policy pulled quite hard that day and eventually weakened approaching the final flight. He showed a liking for this sharper track when winning the Mersey Novices Hurdle at the corresponding meeting last year. He has been placed twice in Grade 1 races since at Punchestown and Ascot. Gordon Elliott won the Liverpool Hurdle twice with Sire Du Berlais and Honesty Policy will be difficult to beat if he settles in the early stages.

Gordon Elliott Aintree hope Ballyfad can bounce back from Cheltenham defeat

Ballyfad bids to atone for a slightly disappointing effort at Cheltenham in the Turners Mersey Novices Hurdle on Saturday. He was beaten a short-head by Talk The Talk in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novices Hurdle at Leopardstown in February. His Cheltenham prospects were not helped by receiving a kick at the start of the race. In the circumstances he was not disgraced to finish in midfield behind King Rosko Grey.

Potential threats here include Dan Skelton’s Bossman Jack who finished sixth to King Rosko Grey at the Cheltenham Festival. He may well have finished closer but for a bad mistake at the last hurdle. If returning to his Leopardstown form, Ballyfad could certainly finish in the money here.

Gordon Elliott Aintree Overview

Gordon Elliott has already guaranteed his place in Grand National history, notably through the exploits of Tiger Roll. He is currently involved in a battle with Willie Mullins for the Irish Trainers title but will still have several of his star performers in action at Aintree including Champion Hurdle runner-up Brighterdaysahead. 

The six Gordon Elliott Grand National runners may not be among the favourites but a case can be made for at least three of his entries. Gerri Colombe has a touch of class and could outrun his odds while Favori Du Champdou and Stellar Story are both lively outsiders.