Nicky Henderson Grand National 2026 Runners: Horses, Runners, Races & Chances Preview

Victory in the Grand National has eluded leading Trainer Nicky Henderson. He has twice saddled the runner-up with Zongalero (1979) and The Tsarevich (1987) but he has rarely had a serious contender in recent years. Any hopes of ending his Grand National hoodoo this year rested with 100-1 outsider Hyland but he did not make the cut.

Henderson has enjoyed plenty of success at the Aintree Grand National meeting. He has won the Betway Bowl twice, the Melling Chase five times, the Liverpool Hurdle twice and the Aintree Hurdle on six occasions. He has also won all of the major novice events on numerous occasions.

Nicky Henderson Best Chances on Grand National day 

Bold Endeavour the pick of Nicky Henderson Aintree runners for William Hill Hurdle

The William Hill Handicap Hurdle on Saturday is one of the most competitive races of the week at Aintree. Nicky Henderson Aintree entries included five for this valuable contest but he relies on Jeriko Du Reponet and Bold Endeavour.

Stable companion Doddiethegreat beat Jeriko Du Reponet in last year’s Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. Jeriko Du Reponet then reversed the form at Punchestown in May but ran poorly over fences at Cheltenham last month. This will be his first run over hurdles since his victory in Ireland.

Bold Endeavour could be the best handicapped of the Nicky Henderson Aintree runners. The gelding seems unlikely to be improving at the age of ten but there were encouraging signs in his latest effort at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was well supported at 8-1 and he was right in contention between the last two flights. His run eventually petered out to finish seventh behind heavily-backed favourite Supremely West. If you go back far enough in his form Bold Endeavour has been rated a stone higher in the handicap. Supremely West was laid out by Dan Skelton to win the Pertemps Final and it will be interesting to see how he copes with a 9lbs rise. Pertemps third Ikarak is also in opposition once again and the form of that race probably holds the key.

Jingko Blue raised in class for Nicky Henderson Liverpool Hurdle bid

Jingko Blue was one of three Cheltenham Festival winners for Nicky Henderson last month. He made all the running before staying on strongly to win the Bet AGM Cup by six lengths. That was a terrific run by this progressive seven-year-old and has given Henderson the option of stepping him up in grade.

He takes his chance in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle over three miles where he will be joined by stable companions Impose Toi and Doddiethegreat. The latter is difficult to fancy after being pulled up at Cheltenham but a case can be made for his stable companions. The betting market for this race is wide open following the withdrawal of ante-post favourite Wodhooh. Opposition includes Stayers Hurdle winner Home By The Lee and fifth placed Honesty Policy.

Nicky Henderson Aintree runners include Cheltenham disappointment Impose Toi

Impose Toi was pulled up in the Stayers Hurdle with jockey Nico De Boinville reporting that he was never travelling. No reason has been discovered for that lack-lustre display which was completely out of character for this consistent gelding.

He finished fourth in a handicap at the corresponding meeting last year under top weight and won the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. He also won here in November and is a classy performer on his day so has each-way claims if returning to his best.

Nicky Henderson best chances at Aintree Festival meeting

Nicky Henderson Aintree hope Joyeuse attracts support

Nicky Henderson had three entries for the competitive William Hill Handicap Hurdle which opens the card at Aintree on Friday. He has chosen to rely on Joyeuse who would have claims on her best form and is not fully exposed at this trip. The horse has attracted significant support and is prominent in the betting.

The grey mare has plenty of ability and hinted that a return to winning form may not be far away when third at the Cheltenham Festival. That was in the County Hurdle over an extended two miles. She wore cheek-pieces for the first time that day and stayed on late to finish five lengths behind Wilful. The form for the County Hurdle usually holds up well at Aintree and another half a mile on this tighter track could suit the mare perfectly. Market rivals here include Indeevar Bleu, Hot Fuss and Emid’io Pepe.

Excello a big outsider for Nicky Henderson Topham Chase bid

Nicky Henderson has trained the winner of the Topham Chase on five previous occasions. His first winner was Won’t Be Gone Long in 1990 who was one of the horses involved in the infamous void Grand National in 1993. Henderson subsequently won with Liberthine (2006), Triolo D’Alene (2013), Ma Filleule (2014) and Rajdhani Express (2015).

This year he saddles 25-1 outsider Excello who sneaks in at the bottom of the weights. His chance is not obvious on recent form but he does have experience around Aintree having finished third in the Grand Sefton Chase in November. He could never land a blow in the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but a return to Aintree could see him run well at a big price.

Nicky Henderson Aintree Overview

Nicky Henderson will not be involved in the Grand National this year but will be among the leading British trainers once again. The home team put up a much sterner defence at the Cheltenham Festival and will be looking to repel the Irish challengers once again at Aintree. Henderson’s best chances appeared to be on the opening day with Lulamba and Jango Baie but he usually finds one for the big handicaps and it would be no surprise were he to add to his impressive Aintree tally.