Grand National
Ireland on course to dominate the Grand National again…?
The Grand National is just days away now and William Hill’s Non Runner Money back market continues to be a lively one.
In what looks set to be an incredibly competitive renewal of the world’s greatest horse race, there are both Irish and British challengers towards the top of the betting.
It’s not quite the Prestbury Cup, but British and Irish pride is on the line once again at Aintree, as trainers from both sides of the Irish Sea hope to conquer all.
Here, we take a look at who holds the upper hand in the 2026 Grand National: Great Britain or Ireland?
Form favours the Irish
There is no doubt recent form in the Grand National has leant the way of the Irish. It is not just the dominance of Willie Mullins that has caused this, but the large increase in Irish runners has seen them take a stranglehold on the race.
Mullins has won the last two runnings of the race and Ireland have taken out seven renewals in the last 10 years, with one year missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outside of that, Lucinda Russell has been the only trainer flying the flag for Great Britain, with the Scottish yard taking out the 2017 edition with One For Arthur and winning again in 2023 with Corach Rambler.
The other winning trainers in the past 10 years are Gordon Elliott, who trained Tiger Roll to back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019, Mouse Morris with Rule The World in 2016, Henry de Bromhead with Minella Times in 2021 and Emmet Mullins with Noble Yeats in 2022.
The British Charge
Although the three market principles are all owned by Irishman JP McManus, two are trained by British duo Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero. An emerging yard currently in just their fourth season on the joint license, their progression has been eye-catching.
They’re set to saddle Iroko and Jagwar in the race this year, both of whom have been popular with punters and are 10/1 apiece in the Non Runner Money Back betting. Iroko has been here before and actually went off favourite for the race last year before finishing fourth, while Jagwar will be having his first go over the National fences.
Next on the list for the Brits is Panic Attack, trained by Dan Skelton. She was on a real roll this season before disappointed in the Mares’ Chase, but the step back up in trip should be in her favour as a Coral Gold Cup winner. She’s bidding to write her name in the history books by becoming just the 14th mare to win the National, and her odds of 14/1 suggest she has every chance of doing so.
The British challenge goes deep beyond the three leading challengers, though. Irish and Welsh National winner Haiti Couleurs (14/1) could take his chance, as well as another live contender for JP McManus in Johnnywho (16/1).
Mr Vango would want a lot of rain between now and the 11th April if he’s to give Sara Bradstock a dream victory, hence his price of 50/1, while Twig will take his chance at following on from his William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase victory and attempt to land the £500,000 bonus.
Imposing Irish
The Irish team once again looks incredibly strong, with the market headed by the 2024 winner and last year’s runner-up, I Am Maximus at 7/1. He was the 2 in the Willie Mullins 1-2-3 last year, which only emphasised the strong grip he’s gained on the race.
That is reinforced by the fact Grangeclare West, who was third last year, is a live chance once again at 11/1, while defending champion Nick Rockett is 20/1.
However, it is not just the traditional powerhouses leading the charge for Ireland this year as Connor King, a Tipperary-based trainer with just two horses in his yard, saddles 16/1 chance Oscars Brother for, you guessed it, JP McManus.
Henry de Bromhead’s Monty’s Star is a 20/1 shot, while Gavin Cromwell has both Now Is The Hour and Final Orders at 25/1. At bigger prices there are a host of Mullins chances hoping to repeat Nick Rockett’s long odds victory last year, including Captain Cody (20/1), Lecky Watson (33/1), Quai De Bourbon (40/1), Spanish Harlem (50/1) and High Class Hero (66/1).
The sheer depth of the Irish challenge is clear to see, and that’s before mentioning the likes of Spillane’s Tower for Jimmy Mangan at 25/1, Jordans for Jospeh O’Brien at 20/1, and Gordon Elliott’s strong squad, including the likes of Stellar Story (20/1), Gerri Colombe (33/1) and Favori De Champdou (33/1).
Verdict
The British can’t be looked over easily this year with such a strong hand toward the top of the market, but as far as strength in depth goes, the advantage still probably lies with Ireland.
The Willie Mullins 1-2-3 last year showed just how strong he, and Irish racing in general, have become when bringing their challengers to England, and it’s easy to see a similar outcome again this year.
A repeat of that outcome this year is 40/1, while a JP McManus-owned 1-2-3 is a 25/1 chance. William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell is set to have a strong hand at Aintree and he’s 14/1 to win it for the first time.
