Grand National

Grand National Tips 2026: Runner-By-Runner Guide To Aintree Feature

1 hour ago

| BY Steve Mullington

The 2026 Grand National field is set and the eyes of the world will be on Aintree on Saturday afternoon, with millions of sports fans tuning in to watch one of the greatest events of the year.

William Hill News tipster Steve Mullington has cast his expert eye over each runner in this year’s race, assessing their chances of Grand National glory before giving his 1-2-3-4-5 prediction at the end.

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Without further ado, here is our extensive runner-by-runner guide to the 2026 race – wishing the very best of luck to each and every one of you!

I Am Maximus

Winner of the race in 2024 and finished runner-up in last year’s renewal. The experienced Aintree ten-year-old heads to Merseyside with a strong favourites chance.

Nick Rockett

Comes back to defend his Grand National title after qualifying for the contest at Down Royal. His third place behind Gerri Colombe and Roi Mage was a decent enough prep.

Banbridge

Banbridge has a strong record at Aintree, having won the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase in 2023, but has never tried this trip.

Grangeclare West

Was considered an unlucky loser in 2025 and is one of the leading fancies this term after a commanding win in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase in February.

Gerri Colombe

Trained by Gordon Elliott, the 10-year-old recently won at Down Royal on 17 March 2026, defeating the 2025 National winner, Nick Rockett.

Haiti Couleurs

Trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Sean Bowen, Haiti Couleurs has won both the Irish Grand National and the Welsh Grand National. Can he make history and land all three?

Spillane’s Tower

Considered a live contender for this year’s Gold Cup, the eight-year-old was withdrawn on the day of the race on account of the ground. Jimmy Mangan is bullish about his chance.

Firefox

Has shown improvement in longer distance races leading up to the Aintree Grand National and would not be the silliest 66/1 outsider that you could bet on.

Monty’s Star

Ticking age, weight, official rating and betting trends, Monty’s Star is quietly fancied in some quarters. Henry De Bromhead’s charge has back form that stamps him as one of the classiest horses in the field.

Spanish Harlem

Brian Hayes will partner Spanish Harlem in the National for race sponsors Randox. Winner of the Kerry National, he has previously been unlucky in both the Scottish National and the Thyestes Chase and he’s overdue a change of luck.

Lecky Watson

Whilst his season thus far has left a lot to be desired, it has put the 2025 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase winner on a very fair mark, especially if he can rediscover some of that old form at Aintree.

Champ Kiely

Beat Ballyburn in the three-mile novice chase at Punchestown, but his form has been on the slide since.

Iroko

Finished a fine fourth in last year’s Grand National when just a seven-year-old. If he is over his Cheltenham exertions then he is one of the more likely winners.

Favori De Champdou

Second in the cross-country at Cheltenham and landed a big handicap at Leopardstown in December. There’s certainly shades of Tiger Roll about him.

Three Card Brag

Failed to see out the trip last year and stamina has to be of concern again this time around.

Oscars Brother

Finished a creditable fourth in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham behind Kitzbuhel and is a novice on the up.

Mr Vango

Merseyside will have to see a deluge of rain over the next few days if Mr Vango is to take his chance in the race. If he gets his ground then he has to be in with a solid chance.

Stellar Story

Finished third in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. He generally performs best on testing/soft ground.

Beauport

Former winner of the Colin Parker Chase at Carlisle but his recent performances have been pretty underwhelming.

Captain Cody

Rose to prominence by winning the 2025 Scottish Grand National at Ayr and is a relentless stayer. He appears to be a spring horse which makes him an attractive looking bet in our horse racing betting markets.

Jagwar

His most recent run was a narrow runner-up finish in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He does however have to overcome the woeful record that seven-year-olds have in the Grand National.

Perceval Legallois

He was well-fancied at 10/1 for last year’s race but fell at Valentine’s on the first circuit. Our horse racing ambassador Gavin Cromwellhas given him a quiet campaign on the lead up to this target.

Gorgeous Tom

Fourth in the Coral Gold Cup which is often a decent trial for Aintree. Most recently, he finished 5th of 16 in a Listed handicap chase at Leopardstown.

The Real Whacker

Finished second in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January and was most recently fourth in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The former Charlie Hall winner has plenty of class, but perhaps has too much weight to carry?

Quai De Bourbon

Third in the 2025 Irish Grand National and holds a chance if the pace isn’t too strong on the first circuit. He appears to be well-in on the handicap.

Answer To Kayf

Achieved a career-best performance by winning the Grade 3 Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November 2025 on heavy ground. He will need it to be wet on National Day.

Jordans

Has a strong record at Aintree, notably finishing second to Caldwell Potter in last year’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase. The trip is a big question mark for him however?

Final Orders

Fell at Valentine’s on his only start over these fences in the Topham Chase of 2023, however he is a much more accomplished jumper nowadays and a lively outsider.

Marble Sands

Ran in the Topham over the National fences last year but struggled with the quick ground. He would possibly come into it if the ground turned soft/heavy.

Panic Attack

Made light work of the opposition in the Coral Gold Cup, but there have to be some stamina concerns with her when it comes to this distance.

Top Of The Bill

Secured his spot in the field with a runner-up finish in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, finishing just behind Grand Geste. Has bags of stamina and could be considered an each-way longshot.

Johnnywho

Winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, producing a strong finishing effort to beat Jagwar by half a length. Ultima form holds up well here, so he’ll be well supported in our sports betting market.

Twig

Landed a major victory over the Grand National fences in December 2025, winning the Becher Chase by a short head. Lacked the efficiency to land a blow last April, but this year may be different.

Reserves:

Pied Piper (RES)

Well known as a top-class hurdler, there are significant questions regarding his stamina for a 4m 2f contest. Carrying the minimum weight of 10st 3lb would be a real gift however if he was to take to the test.

Imperial Saint (RES)

The eight-year-old has a strong record at Aintree, with three wins from five starts on the Mildmay Course. Landed a gamble earlier in the season when winning the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January.