Grey runners are always a talking point in the Grand National, and 2026 is shaping up to be a very slim year for lovers of the silver brigade, with just one guaranteed starter – Marble Sands.
Two more greys, Hyland and Harry Des Ongrais, lurked further down the list but needed defects to sneak into the final 34, which did not happen.
To round things off, there is also Jordans, a black gelding whose colour makes him stand out almost as much as any grey in a race where bays and chestnuts dominate.
Greys and the Grand National
For a race that has been run since 1839, the roll of honour for grey winners is surprisingly short.
Only three greys have ever won the Grand National: The Lamb in 1868 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver in 1961, and Neptune Collonges in that famous nose finish in 2012.
Given the huge number of runners across nearly two centuries, that’s a tiny strike-rate, which only adds to the mystique when a grey lines up at Aintree.
Despite the stats, punters love them. Greys are easy to spot, look great against the spruce fences, and tend to get plenty of each-way support regardless of what the form book says.
Bookmakers know that “back the grey” is almost a habit in big handicaps, and with only one to go at this year, Marble Sands is likely to attract interest simply because of his colour as much as his profiles.
Marble Sands – The Standard Bearer
Marble Sands is the only grey guaranteed a place in the 2026 Grand National field, trained by the joint licence of David Killahena and Graeme McPherson.
A grey gelding by Martaline, he has been a reliable staying chaser, winning good-quality races over trips around three miles and further, and gradually working his way up the handicap.
Connections have been talking about Aintree for a while, and his strong-staying style over stiff tracks like Cheltenham suggested the National was always going to appear on the radar.
He brings a likeable profile to the race: seasoned enough to cope with the hustle of a big handicap, but not so exposed that you feel the handicapper has his measure completely.
He has shown he can travel and jump in big fields, and looks the type to keep grinding away and gave the Topham Chase a go last season, so we know he can get around those fences!
From a neutral point of view, he is the horse who carries the hopes of the grey runner fans this year, and if he gets into a rhythm early, you can see him creeping into contention as they turn for home.
The “Nearly” Greys – Hyland and Harry Des Ongrais
While it may make no difference to the race now, behind Marble Sands, prior to the final field being declared, were Hyland and Harry Des Ongrais, two greys who did not make the cut.
Hyland, trained by Nicky Henderson, is a nine-year-old grey who has done most of his work in staying handicaps and has picked up support from those who follow Seven Barrows almost on principle.
He ran in this race last year but was pulled up, and given that he will not get a chance to run in the 2026 Grand National, has also been entered into the Scottish National at Ayr on April 18th.
Harry Des Ongrais, trained by Henry de Bromhead, is another nine-year-old grey, with mixed form, and with little to no experience over the longer distances except for the Irish Grand National last year, where he pulled up. I’m not sure he would have caused an upset at Aintree anyway.
Jordans – The Striking Black Gelding
Jordans is not grey, but he is still visually distinctive: a black gelding, which is a much rarer sight in the Grand National than the more familiar bays, chestnuts, and dark bays that fill most racecards.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien, he worked his way into the mid-pack of the weights for the 2026 National and is set to carry 10st 8lb with a rating of 147, which puts him in the same broad band as several of the more fancied Irish contenders.
On the track, Jordans has been progressive over fences, picking up form in competitive staying chases and shaping like a horse who should handle a marathon test.
When he lines up on April 11th, he will catch the eye in the paddock as much for his colour as his profile, and in a year where grey options are thin on the ground, he may end up being the “alternative” horse for those who like something a bit different to cheer on without just rowing in with the market leaders.
A Poor Year For Grey Runners
As things stand heading into Aintree, we have just one grey with realistic Grand National ambitions in 2026: Marble Sands, who is declared for the race.
For punters who like a bit of tradition, Marble Sands is the clear focal point, carrying the flame lit by The Lamb, Nicolaus Silver and Neptune Collonges in a race where grey winners are collectors’ items.
Add in Jordans – the rare black gelding – and you have a small but quirky colour cast for this year’s race, even if the National betting will revolve around more orthodox candidates at the top of the market.
Whether you follow the form to the letter or simply enjoy latching on to something distinctive in that 34-strong cavalry charge, the 2026 renewal still offers a grey runner and one very dark outsider to shout home over the famous Aintree fences.
BETFRED
