Grand National

Grand National 2026 Antepost Tips Following Confirmations

3 hours ago

| BY Steve Mullington

A total of 49 horses have been kept in the 2026 Grand National at the confirmation stage, with final declarations due on Wednesday 8th April – some 72 hours before the race itself.

So who are the main fancies this year in the Aintree marathon? Who are the pundits and tipsters selecting this year to make Grand National history?

Think You’ve Spotted the Winner? Prove It

Full List Of 2026 Grand National Confirmations:

I Am Maximus
Nick Rockett
Banbridge
Grangeclare West
Gerri Colombe
Haiti Couleurs
Spillane’s Tower
Firefox
Monty’s Star
Spanish Harlem
Lecky Watson
Champ Kiely
Iroko
Favori De Champdou
Three Card Brag
Oscars Brother
Mr Vango
High Class Hero
Stellar Story
Beauport
Captain Cody
Jagwar
Perceval Legallois
Gorgeous Tom
The Real Whacker
Quai De Bourbon
Answer To Kayf
Jordans
Final Orders
Marble Sands
Panic Attack
Top Of The Bill
Johnnywho
Twig
Pied Piper
Imperial Saint
Amirite
Ain’t That A Shame
Yeah Man
Soul Icon
Hyland
Deep Cave
Buddy One
Anyway
The Short Go
Weveallbeencaught
Shanbally Kid
Will Do
In D’Or

We take a deep dive across all the tipping platforms and horse racing media outlets, to bring you a comprehensive run down of exactly who is being suggested as the winner:

I Am Maximus

The 2024 winner and 2025 runner-up is still a dominant force in the staying chaser division. While we know he will be burdened with top weight, his class and Aintree pedigree will always make him a favourite with the sports betting public.

Haiti Couleurs

Trained by Rebecca Curtis, this early favourite in our horse racing betting has already secured wins in the Irish and Welsh Nationals.

His proven stamina over staying trips are a major asset and he will certainly find the level of opposition in the National easier than in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Iroko

Finished a running on fourth in 2025 as a novice. He has since undergone wind surgery and is a much more rounded and streetwise horse this season. If he gets his favoured soft ground then he is a major player.

Grangeclare West

Finished third in last year’s race and has shown strong form in key trials like the Bobbyjo Chase. He fits the ideal 8–10 year old age profile which many punters swear by when making their picks.

Johnnywho

Strongly fancied by many horse racing commentators following his victory in the Ultima Handicap—a race that recently served as a springboard for 2023 winner Corach Rambler.

Jagwar

His joint-trainer, Josh Guerriero, believes the flat, galloping nature of Aintree will suit Jagwar’s racing style better than the undulating Cheltenham course, however there is a big but!

History is heavily against him, with only one seven-year-old (Noble Yeats 2022) has won the race since 1941. Nearly 99% of winners over the last 78 years have been aged eight or above.

Nick Rockett

History shows that repeating a National victory is exceptionally rare. Before Tiger Roll (2018 & 2019), no horse had done it since Red Rum in the 1970’s.

He has run only once this campaign, finishing third in a small field at Down Royal in mid-March, which is not the most ideal preparation.

Oscars Brother

The exciting novice has been progressive this season, winning three chases in a row, including the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase and the Grade 2 Florida Pearl, before finishing a close fourth in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham.

At eight- years-old and carrying 10st 13lb, he fits the classic historical profile of a National winner.

Steve Mullington’s ante-post tip following confirmations: