Over the years, plenty of Grand National winners have signposted their Aintree success with a big run at Cheltenham first, and they’ve come from all over the map.
Recent history is framed by Tiger Roll, who used the Cross Country as a springboard to his famous back‑to‑back Nationals, and Corach Rambler, trained by Lucinda Russell, who used the Ultima as a stepping stone.
Going back, Golden Miller managed the Gold Cup–National double in 1934, a feat that still underlines how rare it is to carry Grade 1 class over that marathon trip.
More recently, Noble Yeats ran with credit at Cheltenham (finishing 9th in the Ultima) before peaking three weeks later, reminding us that a tough Festival run can harden a horse rather than bottom it out when managed carefully by the right trainer.
For punters, it’s a useful reminder that following those ‘nearly’ runs from Cheltenham to Aintree can sometimes uncover a bit of value with the bookmakers.
Given the dominance of Irish-trained runners over the last few seasons, British-trained horses arrived at Cheltenham this year with more hope than expectation, but they left having landed a few more punches than most predicted.
The Prestbury Cup still went to Ireland, yet the 15–13 scoreline was a far cry from some of the recent hammerings and owed plenty to a deeper, more competitive home team.
The big question now is whether the Brits can take that momentum from Prestbury Park to Aintree on April 11th, 2026.
Haiti Couleurs – Rebecca Curtis
Haiti Couleurs turned up in the Gold Cup with a proper staying résumé and ran exactly like a horse that wants every yard of it.
He was never travelling badly, but the pace and class edge of the Irish brigade just found him out when it mattered, and he plugged on rather than powered home.
But that might not be such a bad thing. He has already won both the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals and clearly prefers the extra distance with a consistent cruising speed rather than a manic dash from the off.
He is all stamina, and Aintree should suit him down to the ground.
Jagwar – Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Jagwar’s Cheltenham run was the sort that connections both love and hate. He did everything right in the Ultima, travelled well, jumped great, and then found just one too strong in Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho, both of whom are owned by JP McManus.
Being nailed late in a competitive handicap suggests his mark is about where the assessor wants it, which is not ideal for the National, but his jumping and rhythm are massive positives.
The distance will be his biggest challenge, but if he settles well and minds his own business, he could creep into the frame without causing much fuss.
Iroko – Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Guerriero and Greenall don’t just have one lively contender for the 2026 Grand National; they have two, with Iroko also in the mix.
He went to Cheltenham as one of the more talked‑about British Grand National candidates, with his Festival run framed as a prep rather than a be‑all‑and‑end‑all.
Last year’s Grand National fourth-place finisher didn’t exactly light up in the Ultima, and his odds for Aintree drifted accordingly.
However, his trainers remain confident that this sort of spin is often worth more than a flashy win when you’re thinking Aintree.
He stays, has form in big fields, and jumps soundly enough to make him a very solid player, even if he arrives with less expectation than a month ago.
Panic Attack – Dan Skelton
Panic Attack did her job perfectly well in the Mares’ Chase, running third behind Dinoblue and Only By Night in a race that never really fell apart.
She jumped neatly, travelled within herself, but just lacked the gears when the race tightened up, turning in.
From a National perspective, that’s no disaster. It tells us she’s still genuine, still enjoying it, and still capable in graded company.
The Aintree fences might sharpen her focus, and the extra distance will lean on her stamina rather than her turn of foot, which quietly improves her claims.
Johnnywho – Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
Johnnywho produced one of the more satisfying British results of the week by knuckling down to win the Ultima, edging out Jagwar in a proper scrap to the line.
It was an honest, straightforward performance, and as a National trial, you can’t ask for much more than a Festival handicap win over three‑plus miles with a strong finish.
The Aintree trip is a step into the unknown, but he has caught the eye of racing fans, and his odds have shortened, so if he can maintain his attitude from Cheltenham, he has every chance in the 2026 Grand National.
Big-race Verdict
Taken together, the Cheltenham evidence points to Iroko and Johnnywho as the most trustworthy Aintree prospects, with Jagwar not far behind if the cards fall his way.
Panic Attack brings classy staying form but may find the unique demands of the National just stretch their comfort zone, while Haiti Couleurs looks a credible dark horse if the race turns into a test of grit rather than speed.
If you had to pick one to carry the British banner with a straight face, Iroko probably still wears that badge.
BETFRED
