The final 2026 Grand National field has now been confirmed, setting the stage for another thrilling renewal of the world’s most iconic steeplechase at Aintree.
With 34 runners officially declared, this year’s race, on Saturday, April 11th at 4pm, is already brimming with quality as they all get ready to take on the famous fences.
Heading the line-up is I Am Maximus, with Paul Townend confirmed in the saddle aboard the Willie Mullins-trained star. A winner of the race in 2024 and runner-up in 2025, he returns with a remarkable record in the National and is sure to be at the forefront of the betting once again.
Cheltenham Festival form is strongly represented too, with Richie McLernon reunited with Johnnywho following their impressive victory in the Ultima Handicap Chase, adding further depth to an already competitive field.
Meanwhile, one of the leading contenders in the market, Panic Attack, will be partnered by Harry Skelton for trainer Dan Skelton, bringing a powerful combination that has attracted plenty of attention.
2026 Grand National Field
| No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Maximus | Paul Townend | W P Mullins |
| 2 | Nick Rockett | Tom Bellamy | W P Mullins |
| 3 | Banbridge | JJ Slevin | Joseph Patrick O'Brien |
| 4 | Grangeclare West | Patrick Mullins | W P Mullins |
| 5 | Gerri Colombe | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott |
| 6 | Haiti Couleurs | Sean Bowen | Rebecca Curtis |
| 7 | Spillane's Tower | Somin Torrens | James Joseph Mangan |
| 8 | Firefox | Keith Donoghue | Gordon Elliott |
| 9 | Monty's Star | Darragh O'Keeffe | Henry De Bromhead |
| 10 | Spanish Harlem | Brian Hayes | W P Mullins |
| 11 | Lecky Watson | Sean O'Keeffe | W P Mullins |
| 12 | Champ Kiely | Danny Mullins | W P Mullins |
| 13 | Iroko | Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero |
| 14 | Favori De Champdou | Danny Gilligan | Gordon Elliott |
| 15 | Three Card Brag | Jordan Gainford | Gordon Elliott |
| 16 | Oscars Brother | Daniel King | Connor King |
| 17 | Mr Vango | Jack Tudor | Mrs Sara V Bradstock |
| 18 | High Class Hero | James Bowen | W P Mullins |
| 19 | Stellar Story | Robbie Dunne | Gordon Elliott |
| 20 | Beauport | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies |
| 21 | Captain Cody | Jonathan Burke | W P Mullins |
| 22 | Jagwar | Mark Walsh | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero |
| 23 | Perceval Legallois | Harry Cobden | Gavin Cromwell |
| 24 | Gorgeous Tom | Sean Flanagan | Henry De Bromhead |
| 25 | The Real Whacker | Gavin Sheehan | Patrick Neville |
| 26 | Quai De Bourbon | Donagh Meylor | W P Mullins |
| 27 | Answer To Kayf | John Shinnick | Terence O'Brien |
| 28 | Jordans | Ben Jones | Joseph Patrick O'Brien |
| 29 | Final Orders | Conor Stone-Walsh | Gavin Cromwell |
| 30 | Marble Sands | Kielan Woods | David Killahena & Graeme McPherson |
| 31 | Panic Attack | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 32 | Top Of The Bill | Toby McCain-Mitchell | Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies |
| 33 | Johnnywho | Richie McLernon | Jonjo & A J O'Neill |
| 34 | Twig | Beau Morgan | Ben Pauling |
| R35 | Pied Piper | Gordon Elliott | |
| R36 | Imperial Saint | Callum Pritchard | Philip Hobbs & Johnson White |
| R37 | Amirite | Henry De Bromhead | |
| R38 | Ain't That A Shame | Jack Andrews | T Ellis |
| R39 | Deep Cave | Christian Williams | |
| R40 | Buddy One | Paul Gilligan |
Any Big Surprises?
One of the most nervy moments this morning was the fact that with ten minutes left on the clock to declare the runners, Willie Mullins still hasn't confirmed any of his ten entries, nine of whom were already guaranteed a spot in the line-up.
Only Shanbally Kid remained outside the top 34, and given that he was in position 48, it was always highly unlikely that he would make the cut anyway.
But, in true Mullins form, he pressed the button with five minutes left, confirming all NINE runners in the race, which is a whopping 26% of the 2026 Grand National field.
However, in terms of actual horses who were withdrawn at the last stage of this year's proceedings, well, that's less exciting, insofar as none of the top 34 came out.
There are SIX reserves, so if there are any non-runners before the 1 pm deadline tomorrow, they will take a spot on Saturday.
That means Pied Piper, Imperial Saint, Amirite, Ain't That A Shame, Deep Cave, and Buddy One, although declared, are now waiting in the sidelines.
The Jockeys
The biggest news of the morning, in terms of the booked jockeys, was that Paul Townend opted to ride I Am Maximus for the third year in a row.
Having won on him in 2024 and narrowly beaten by Nick Rockett last year, he is hoping to regain the Aintree crown in 2026. There was talk of him switching allegiances to Grangeclare West, but ultimately, loyalty won out, so he will once again be donning the green and gold hoops for owner JP McManus.
Harry Cobden has booked his first ride for JP McManus on Perceval Legallois. Given that he has been appointed as the owner's new retained rider in both Britain and Ireland, starting from May 2026, this is going to be his first test!
Then, in a very suprising turn of events, last year's winner – Nick Rockett – will switch out riders and for 2026 be paired with Tom Bellamy as Patrick Mullins has opted to ride Grangeclare West!
Fresh of his win in the Irish Grand National with Soldier In Milan for Emmet Mullins on Monday, Donagh Meylor is booked on Quai De Bourbon for Willie Mullins.
Looking Forward To Saturday
As ever with the Grand National, every runner will arrive at the start with a story, from battle-hardened Grade 1 performers to progressive staying chasers taking their shot at immortality over four miles and those iconic Aintree fences.
With Willie Mullins mob-handed in his bid for a historic hat-trick, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead fielding serious challengers of their own, and powerful British yards determined to keep the prize at home, the 2026 renewal has all the ingredients for a classic.
All that remains now is for the tapes to go up at 4pm on Saturday, when 34 dreams will charge towards the first fence and only one will be left standing in the record books as the 2026 Grand National winner.
Whether you’re siding with the proven class of I Am Maximus, the defending champion Nick Rockett, a Cheltenham hero like Johnnywho, or a dark horse further down the weights, one thing is certain – Aintree is primed for an afternoon of drama, emotion and pure racing theatre.
BETFRED
