Held annually at Aintree, The Grand National first took place in 1839 and has become a staple of British culture and is arguably the biggest race of the year for the sport.
The handicap steeplechase spans 4 miles 2½ furlongs, with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. Up to 34 runners will compete on the course for a £1,000,000 purse, with £500,000 awarded to the winner.
Choosing a horse for the race remains a British tradition – but finding the right one is a challenge even for devoted followers of UK racing. Whether you’re deep into online research or circling a fun-sounding name in the paper, the unpredictable nature of the Grand National means every horse stands a chance.
In this guide, we’ll walk through our top six standout horses ahead of the 2026 Grand National – including past winners (I Am Maximus & Nick Rockett) and promising outsiders (Panic Attack & Monty's Star). Here’s a look at our top six runners worth watching come 4 PM on Saturday.
6 Horses To Look Out For in the Grand National
I Am Maximus: Out for Redemption in 2026
The 10-year-old “I Am Maximus”, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by JP McManus, is the clear early favourite for the top spot in 2026.
The former Grand National Winner (2024), which finished second last year behind Nick Rockett (33/1) by just two and a half lengths, will be aiming for redemption and to reclaim the crown and title of Grand National champion with Paul Townend, Mullins’ leading jockey, in the saddle.
I Am Maximus’ form at Aintree is his secret weapon – we know he can handle the course and the fences of the Grand National. What remains uncertain is how he will manage the handicap – he is burdened with the top weight of 11st 12lbs this time.
Nick Rockett: The Defending Champion Returns
A 9-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by Stewart & Sadie Andrew, Nick Rockett is impossible to ignore in the 2026 Grand National. He arrives here as the defending champion, having won the 2025 contest with amateur jockey and Willie Mullins’ son, Patrick Mullins, who led the field by two and a half lengths at 33/1.
Last year’s performance proved that he can handle the rhythm, pressure, and jumping challenges of the National fences. Patrick’s involvement, however, is yet to be confirmed (although he is expected to continue) as Nick Rockett’s jockey for 2026.
Back-to-back wins in the Grand National remain rare, with Tiger Roll being the last horse to achieve this in 2017/18. Nick Rockett’s early price reflects this rarity – he has only just made it into the top 6 runners.
Regardless of the odds, he looks a solid each-way bet for the Grand National with genuine history at Aintree.
Iroko: A Strong Horse with Unfinished Business at Aintree
Another JP McManus-owned horse is an 8-year-old, Iroko, expected to be ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr in the 2026 Grand National. The pair have unfinished business here, having finished fourth in last year's race despite a heroic effort.
Trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, Iroko has shown some good performances in recent races. He won at Ascot in December and was second to “The Jukebox Man” (owned by Harry Redknapp) in November at Haydock. His most recent run, a 10th-place finish at Cheltenham, left much to be desired, increasing his odds at Aintree this year.
There’s plenty to admire about Iroko – he’s the right age, has a proven record, and at the right price, could be a great EW bet.
Jagwar: A Relatively Young Horse Running in Fine Form
Another horse trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero and owned by JP McManus is Jagwar, a 7-year-old that has been in excellent form recently. He’s won four of his last eight races and finished strongly in the others at Cheltenham, Uttoxeter, Bangor-on-Dee, and Wetherby.
Jagwar may have only run at Aintree once before – finishing second to “Inthewaterside” in October 2023. This limited experience with the course could prove advantageous for punters willing to back him, as he’s ranked narrowly among the top four favourites early in the betting for the race.
Mark Walsh is the expected jockey, renowned for wins on “Dinoblue”, “Kaid D’authie”, “Better Times Ahead”, and “Majborough”. He will be hoping to secure his first Grand National victory on Saturday.
Panic Attack: The Skelton Brothers Enter a Mare with Excellent Recent Performances
A 10-year-old mare owned by Bryan Drew, “Panic Attack,” is one of the few entered in this year’s Grand National and emerges as an exciting outsider bet. The Skelton brothers have worked hard with “Panic Attack,” winning 4 of her last 6 races over the past year or so.
Most recently, she performed well at Cheltenham, finishing third in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase. Prior to that, she achieved three successive victories at both Newbury and Cheltenham, with Harry Skelton and Tristan Durrell riding.
The 2026 Grand National will be her first entry in the race and her second time racing at Aintree – the first being a second-place finish behind “Simply Loveleh” in May 2021. The demanding fences at Aintree may pose a challenge for her, but now is the time for her to give it her best shot.
“Panic Attack” is among the top six horses with a weight of 10-5. An each-way bet on the mare could prove to be a promising early wager for punters.
Monty's Star: Henry De Bromhead’s Top Shot at a Second Grand National Victory.
A 9-year-old owned by Barry Maloney, “Monty's Star," is trainer Henry De Bromhead’s leading contender for a Grand National win.
De Bromhead’s last and only Grand National victory came in 2021 with Rachael Blackmore riding Minella Times, making her the first female to win the race. Since retiring last May, Blackmore won’t be riding this year – instead, she’ll be honoured as a Grand National Legend this Thursday.
Monty’s Star has not previously run at Aintree – his last win was on New Year’s Eve 2023 at Punchestown, where he beat Three Card Brag. However, his recent form has kept him in contention without pushing his price into single figures – he could be a good Each Way bet.
LiveScore's Final Verdict
I Am Maximus is the clear favourite for the 2026 Grand National, having previously won in 2024 and finished second in 2025. But few horses have had such success in the handicap and with so long a race ahead – expect the unexpected.
I think the Skelton brothers' entry with “Panic Attack” could be a fantastic EW bet as the pair aim to secure their first Grand National title. She’s been running in fantastic form – it’s just the distance that has me a little concerned. Similarly, I think Jagwar is a really impressive horse and one that offers great value at the moment.
Nick Rockett, last year’s winner, currently offers huge value, but he’s a bit of an unknown this time round. He’s only run once since his last appearance at Aintree, placing 3/4 at Down Royal in March. We know he’s got the legs for it – but how much work has a very busy Mullins put into him this year?
One thing’s for certain – it’s going to be a Grand National well worth tuning in for. You can catch all the action live on ITV1 from 3:15 PM. Don’t miss it!
Grand National 2026 FAQ
Who is the favorite for the Grand National?
The early favourite to win the Grand National is “I Am Maximus”, trained by Willie Mullins and jockeyed by Paul Townend. Nick Rockett, last year’s race winner, only just makes the top 6 with Grangeclare West, Jaguar, Panic Attack, and Johnnywho all boasting better odds.
How far is the Grand National?
The Grand National race is run over approximately 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, covering 30 hurdles along the way. It is one of the longest and most demanding races in the National Hunt calendar.
What type of horse usually wins the Grand National?
Grand National winners need to combine reliable jumping, strong stamina, and the ability to travel well in a big field. Previous winners of the race include “Nick Rockett”, “I Am Maximus”, “Corach Rambler”, “Noble Yeats”, “Minella Times” and “Tiger Roll”.
Are outsiders worth backing in the Grand National?
The Grand National is famed for being unpredictable, and horses with bigger odds can often perform well. Nick Rockett, winner in 2026, had a Starting Price (SP) of 33/1 and Noble Years, winner of the 2022 contest, had an SP of 50/1.
Is the Grand National a good race for each-way betting?
Yes, the Grand National is excellent for each-way betting due to its large field, unpredictable results, and extended places offered by bookies. Each-way bets are useful when selecting a favourite with a history of placing, even if they don’t win.
