2026 Grand National Results – Where Did Your Horse Finish?

Another year and another fantastic Grand National. With millions of viewers at home cheering him on, I Am Maximus confirmed his status as a modern Aintree specialist with a powerful late surge to win the 2026 Randox Grand National.

Ridden by Paul Townend and carrying top weight of 11st 12lb, the Willie Mullins-trained ten-year-old became the first horse since Red Rum to regain the National crown, adding another huge prize to an extraordinary staying chase record.

How The Race Unfolded

On good to soft ground over the marathon 4m2½f trip, the early stages were eventful, with several fancied runners exiting before the field had fully settled.

Grangeclare West unseated at the first, Panic Attack fell at the third, and Gerri Colombe came down at the first Foinavon, while Quai De Bourbon also departed early at the second, shaping a very different race to the one many of us had imagined on paper.

Amid that drama, Top Of The Bill and Amirite took turns forcing the pace, with both racing prominently and asking questions of those trying to get into a rhythm over the famous fences.

I Am Maximus, in contrast, was deliberately kept in midfield, conserving energy and avoiding the worst of the trouble. He did make a notable mistake at the 22nd, the second Becher’s, but Townend allowed him to creep into contention as the long journey began to take its toll on those who had raced handily throughout.

For many racing fans, the Grand National sits alongside big betting events where they might also play ultimate poker or follow major football events like the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and this renewal had that same sense of excitement and tension before the decisive late move.

The Crucial Moves

Turning for home, it briefly looked as though Jordans might pull off a shock at 28/1. Having been hampered early at the first Foinavon, he made smooth progress after the second circuit and swept into a clear lead after jumping three out, quickly opening up daylight on a field that was beginning to feel the strain.

Behind him, High Class Hero, always prominent, tried to go with the move, but a mistake at the Chair and later errors at the closing obstacles began to empty the tank.

From two out, the picture changed again. I Am Maximus started to pick off rivals and moved into fourth at the last, travelling the better of the principals despite his big weight.

Once they straightened up for the run-in, Townend asked for everything, and the response was immediate. The favourite reeled in Jordans inside the final furlong and went on decisively, showing deep reserves of stamina and determination.

Iroko, who had been in midfield for much of the race, also came home strongly, staying on from the second Foinavon and edging into a share of fourth at the second last. He finished off his race particularly well, grabbing second home and giving owner JP McManus a memorable one–two in the sport’s most famous steeplechase.

Johnnywho, another who had crept into it late, briefly moved into second but was hampered by a loose horse on the run-in, having to settle for fourth after staying on again near the line.

Placed Horses And Those Who Tired

The final result underlines how demanding this National was, both in terms of jumping and stamina.

High Class Hero, who had raced prominently from the first Becher’s and moved into second at one stage, paid for those exertions and faded to finish fifth, still running respectably at 66/1 for Mullins and James Bowen.

Favori De Champdou plugged on into sixth after losing his position after three out, his performance another example of how strong early travellers were reeled in by patient types late on.

Final Orders and Champ Kiely, seventh and eighth, both had phases where they raced close to the leaders but weakened from two out as the relentless gallop and stiff finish took effect.

Three Card Brag and Monty’s Star rounded out the top ten, having both been in touch with the leaders at different stages before fading after mistakes and interference around the final mile.

Answer To Kayf, Gorgeous Tom, and Imperial Saint filled the next three places, each having had their chance compromised by hampered runs or mid-race errors, but still keeping on to finish the course.

Further back, Haiti Couleurs, Twig, and Firefox completed in their own time, all having been in midfield or worse after early interference and weakening markedly from the second circuit.

With just sixteen of the thirty-four starters completing, and a series of falls, unseats, and pull-ups scattered through the pack, the 2026 running will be remembered as the one that solidified I Am Maximus as one of the greatest National heroes of the 21st century.

Unsurprisingly, he is now the ante-post favourite to win again in 2027!

Full Finishing Order For The 2026 Grand National