Grand National

Three Horses To Follow Over The Grand National Fences At Aintree 2026

2 hours ago

| BY Steve Mullington

William Hill News tipster Steve Mullington casts his eye over the three big races held over Aintree’s famous fences ahead of the 2026 Grand National Festival.

Bet on Aintree this week and tackle the Grand National fences at William Hill

Just three races are run over the Grand National obstacles at the Aintree Festival, those being the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase, the Topham Handicap Chase, plus the iconic Grand National Handicap Chase itself.

Run over a trip of two miles and five furlongs, the Foxhunters’ is contested by amateur riders and the Thursday spectacle is effectively their very own version of the Grand National.

The Topham Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 handicap chase run over two miles and five furlongs on the Friday of the Festival. With a mix of seasoned chasers and progressive contenders, this race delivers high-class action and plenty of drama over the famous course.

Saturday heralds the BIG one – the Grand National. In total there are 16 fences on the Grand National course, 14 of which are jumped twice along the four mile, two and half furlong distance, which is the longest Jump racing distance in the UK.

Without further ado, scroll down for my antepost thoughts on the biggest betting races taking place over the big obstacles at Aintree this week and hopefully I can land you a winner or two!

Thursday 9th April

3.30pm – Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (UNEXPECTED PARTY)

Unexpected Party bolted up to win the Walrus Hunters’ Chase at Haydock Park and he is likely to head to Aintree for the Foxhunters Open on the opening day of the meeting.

He has the class, having won a major handicap at the Cheltenham Festival just a few short years ago, and Dan Skelton knows how to get one ready for the big day. This is likely to be his big day.

Friday 10th April

4.05pm – Topham Handicap Chase (MADARA)

Another Skelton horse makes the cut here, but there is a feeling that Madara could still have a fair bit in hand off his revised mark following his seven-and-a-half length success at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

While the fences remain a slight unknown for him, he’s clearly a talented animal and he could be one to watch at Aintree going forward if he takes to the famous Grand National obstacles.

Saturday 11th April

4.00pm – Grand National Handicap Chase (I AM MAXIMUS)

The current market leader ahead of this year’s race, I Am Maximus has finished in the top two in each of the previous two years – winning the 2024 renewal before finishing second to stablemate Nick Rockett 12 months ago.

One of the leading contenders in the staying chase division, I Am Maximus is a worthy favourite in the ante-post market. He will carry top weight but he has the class and the Aintree pedigree that make him a favourite with both casual and serious punters.