Willie Mullins Grand National 2026 Runners: Horses, Runners, Races & Chances Preview

Willie Mullins is bidding to become only the second trainer in history to train three successive Grand National winners. Successful with I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025), he will join the legendary Vincent O’Brien in the history books if he can land the big steeplechase on Saturday.

Mullins also won the 2005 Grand National with Hedgehunter and he dominated last year’s renewal by saddling the first, second, third and fifth. I Am Maximus ran a great race to finish second last year and will lead an eight-strong entry from the leading Irish trainer.

Last year Mullins was leading trainer at the Aintree festival with eight winners, including Grade 1 victories for Gaelic Warrior (Aintree Bowl), Lossiemouth (Aintree Hurdle) and Impaire Et Passe (Manifesto Novices Chase). 

Willie Mullins Best Chances in Grand National 

Willie Mullins has eight runners this year and it is no surprise to see 2024 winner I Am Maximus and 2025 third Grangeclare West prominent in the Grand National betting. Nick Rockett (33-1) beat stable companions I Am Maximus (7-1) and Grangeclare West (33-1) by two and a half lengths and half a length but was a late withdrawal on Thursday morning. 

I Am Maximus spearheads Willie Mullins Grand National entries

I Am Maximus won the Grand National in 2024 and ran a gallant race last year off a 6lbs higher mark. He has been trained with this race in mind all season, most recently finishing a remote fifth in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Mullins will have him at his peak as he bids to join a select group of seven horses to win the Grand National twice, the most recent being Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019. Stable jockey Paul Townend, successful aboard I Am Maximus two years’ ago, has remained loyal to the horse who will wear cheek-pieces for only the second time in his career on Saturday.

Grangeclare West a popular choice among Willie Mullins Aintree runners

Grangeclare West has the right profile having shown he handles the formidable fences last season. He advertised his Grand National chances when winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in heavy ground in February.

That was a huge improvement on his previous run in the Irish Gold Cup and he will be a popular each-way selection. Grangeclare West will be ridden by Patrick Mullins who rode Nick Rockett to victory 12 months’ ago.

Captain Cody adds depth to Willie Mullins Grand National chances

Captain Cody produced a career-best effort to win the Scottish Grand National at Ayr last season. He has not visited the winner’s enclosure since but he has always shown his best form in the spring and will like the good to soft going. He was not given a hard race at Fairyhouse when well behind stablemate Grangeclare West but is a stone better off at the weights. Captain Cody will be ridden by Jonathan Burke on Saturday.

The other Willie Mullins Grand National runners are Spanish Harlem (Brian Hayes), Lecky Watson (Sean O’Keeffe), Champ Kiely (Danny Mullins), High Class Hero (James Bowen) and Quai De Bourbon (Donagh Meyler).

Willie Mullins best chances at Aintree Festival meeting

Gold Dancer fancied to give Willie Mullins Mildmay Novices Chase victory

Willie Mullins saddles Gold Dancer in the Mildmay Novices Chase on Friday. He started at odds of 25-1 at the Cheltenham Festival but ran a fine race in the Golden Miller over an extended two and a half miles. He was always prominent and was only denied by Meetmebythesea on the run-in.

He disappointed on his previous start which was his first attempt over three miles. The sharp track at Aintree will give him every chance of staying this trip. This is a very competitive renewal with five horses separated by only one point in the ante-post market. Dangers include Regent’s Stroll, Salver and Wendigo.

Salvator Mundi favourite for Willie Mullins in Grand National day opener

Willie Mullins looks to have a great chance of kicking off Grand National day with a winner when Salvator Mundi lines up in the Maghull Novices Chase. He won at the corresponding meeting last season when winning the Grade 1 Top Novices Hurdle by seven lengths.

This will be only his fourth start over fences having got off the mark with a wide margin victory at Thurles in February. If he can transfer his first class hurdles form to the larger obstacles he will be difficult to beat. The biggest dangers look to be Gordon Elliott’s Kala Conti and the Warren Greatrex-trained Mighty Bandit.

Willie Mullins Topham Chase repeat bid for Gentleman De Mee

Gentleman De Mee won the Topham Trophy last season under 11st 11lbs and will try to repeat that success on Friday. He was slowly away and took time to adapt to the Aintree fences but ran on bravely to beat Lisnamult Lad by three-quarters of a length. He will be partnered by Mark Walsh who was in the saddle 12 months’ ago.

His recent form has not been inspiring but he had a similar profile coming into this race last year. Paul Townend rides stable companion Ile Atlantique who is also worthy of consideration, although he can make the occasional jumping error. Other leading contenders include impressive Cheltenham winner Madara but he has risen sharply in the weights and is not certain to confirm the form with runner-up Will The Wise.

Willie Mullins Aintree Grand National meeting overview

Willie Mullins Aintree record speaks for itself and he has been dominant at this meeting in recent seasons. His eight-winner haul at the 2025 Aintree Festival helped him to win the British Trainers Championship. Mullins may not have quite as strong a raiding party this time but he has a particularly strong hand in the Grand National.

I Am Maximus is the current favourite and is joined by last year’s third Grangeclare West and 2025 Scottish Grand National winner Captain Cody. Willie Mullins has every chance of writing himself into Grand National history once again on Saturday.