Grand National 2026: The Ultimate Guide to Runners and Race Details
The 2026 Grand National, the world's most prestigious steeplechase, is fast approaching, with excitement building for this iconic event at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. Scheduled for Saturday, April 11, the race is set to commence at approximately 4pm, drawing global attention to the thrilling competition over 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, featuring 30 challenging fences like Becher's Brook and The Chair.
Key Changes and Qualification Process
In a significant safety enhancement, the Jockey Club has reduced the maximum field size from 40 to 34 horses, a change implemented in 2024 to minimise congestion at the first fence and reduce early fallers. Horses are ranked based on weights assigned by the BHA Head Handicapper, with the top 34 in the handicap on the Thursday before the race securing their spots. As a handicap race, the best horses carry up to 11st 12lb to level the playing field, making horses "well-in" at the weights popular among bettors.
Important Deadlines and Withdrawals
Final declarations are confirmed on Thursday, April 9, but horses may be withdrawn due to injuries or unsuitable ground conditions at Aintree. If any horse is scratched after the 10:00 AM deadline on Friday, April 10, they are not replaced, resulting in a smaller field. Eligibility requires horses to be at least seven years old with a sufficient official rating, with eight and nine-year-olds historically performing best.
Full List of 2026 Grand National Runners
Here is the comprehensive list of entries for the 2026 Grand National, including details on age, weight, and trainer:
- I Am Maximus (FR) - Age 10, Weight 11-12, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Nick Rockett (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 11-11, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Banbridge (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 11-11, Trainer Joseph O'Brien IRE
- Grangeclare West (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 11-10, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Gerri Colombe (FR) - Age 10, Weight 11-10, Trainer Gordon Elliott IRE
- Haiti Couleurs (FR) - Age 9, Weight 11-10, Trainer Rebecca Curtis
- Spillane's Tower (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 11-8, Trainer Jimmy Mangan IRE
- L'Homme Presse (FR) - Age 11, Weight 11-8, Trainer Venetia Williams
- Firefox (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 11-4, Trainer Gordon Elliott IRE
- Monty's Star (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 11-3, Trainer Henry de Bromhead IRE
- Spanish Harlem (FR) - Age 8, Weight 11-3, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Lecky Watson (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 11-2, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Champ Kiely (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 11-1, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Iroko (FR) - Age 8, Weight 11-1, Trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Favori De Champdou (FR) - Age 11, Weight 11-1, Trainer Gordon Elliott IRE
- Three Card Brag (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 11-0, Trainer Gordon Elliott IRE
- Oscars Brother (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 10-13, Trainer Connor King IRE
- Mr Vango (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 10-12, Trainer Sara Bradstock
- High Class Hero (GB) - Age 9, Weight 10-11, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Stellar Story (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 10-11, Trainer Gordon Elliott IRE
- Beauport (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 10-11, Trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- French Dynamite (FR) - Age 11, Weight 10-10, Trainer Emmet McNamara
- Captain Cody (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 10-10, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Jagwar (FR) - Age 7, Weight 10-10, Trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Perceval Legallois (FR) - Age 9, Weight 10-9, Trainer Gavin Cromwell IRE
- Gorgeous Tom (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 10-9, Trainer Henry de Bromhead IRE
- The Real Whacker (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 10-9, Trainer Patrick Neville
- Quai De Bourbon (FR) - Age 7, Weight 10-9, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Answer To Kayf (GB) - Age 10, Weight 10-8, Trainer Terence O'Brien IRE
- Jordans (FR) - Age 7, Weight 10-8, Trainer Joseph O'Brien IRE
- Now Is The Hour (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 10-7, Trainer Gavin Cromwell IRE
- Final Orders (GB) - Age 10, Weight 10-5, Trainer Gavin Cromwell IRE
- Marble Sands (FR) - Age 10, Weight 10-5, Trainer David Killahena & Graeme McPherson
- Panic Attack (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 10-5, Trainer Dan Skelton
- Top Of The Bill (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 10-5, Trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- Johnnywho (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 10-4, Trainer Jonjo & A J O'Neill
- Twig (GB) - Age 11, Weight 10-4, Trainer Ben Pauling
- Blaze The Way (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 10-4, Trainer Margaret Mullins IRE
- Pied Piper (GB) - Age 8, Weight 10-3, Trainer Gordon Elliott IRE
- Imperial Saint (FR) - Age 8, Weight 10-2, Trainer Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
- Amirite (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 10-2, Trainer Henry de Bromhead IRE
- Ain't That A Shame (IRE) - Age 12, Weight 10-2, Trainer Tom Ellis
- Yeah Man (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 10-1, Trainer Gavin Cromwell IRE
- Soul Icon (GB) - Age 9, Weight 10-1, Trainer Keiran Burke
- Hyland (FR) - Age 9, Weight 10-1, Trainer Nicky Henderson
- Harry Des Ongrais (FR) - Age 9, Weight 10-1, Trainer Henry de Bromhead IRE
- Monbeg Genius (IRE) - Age 10, Weight 9-13, Trainer Jonjo & A J O'Neill
- Deep Cave (IRE) - Age 8, Weight 9-13, Trainer Christian Williams
- Buddy One (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 9-12, Trainer Paul Gilligan IRE
- Anyway (GER) - Age 8, Weight 9-11, Trainer David Kenneth Budds IRE
- The Short Go (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 9-10, Trainer Henry de Bromhead IRE
- Weveallbeencaught (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 9-9, Trainer Emmet McNamara
- Shanbally Kid (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 9-9, Trainer Willie Mullins IRE
- Will Do (IRE) - Age 9, Weight 9-9, Trainer Gordon Elliott IRE
- In d'Or (FR) - Age 8, Weight 9-7, Trainer Fergal O'Brien
This list provides a detailed overview of the contenders, highlighting the diverse ages, weights, and training backgrounds that shape the competitive landscape of the 2026 Grand National.
