grand national preview 2026

You are here: Home / Weekly Preview / Grand National 2026 Preview

---

GRAND NATIONAL PREVIEW WITH JPW RACING TIPSTER

The race which stops the nation where people stop what they are doing and tune into this race over a mammoth 4m 2 1/2f.

It is a very exciting race with lots of drama and it is a great marketing tool to get people involved in the sport of kings.

Everyone says this race is a lottery but these days I have to disagree. Yes, you need a little bit of luck but the same could be said about any jumps race.

If you go back a good decade or more, I would agree that the race was a lottery, as the fences were much tougher to jump and were all bigger. The fences these days are not as big and the frame is a much softer material known as plastic birch. The plastic birch has replaced the wooden post and this makes the fences easier to jump. The fences are still covered in spruce but with recent changes, they are easier to jump. I would go as far as to say fences at places like Cheltenham are harder to jump; the only difference is that Aintree’s fences are bigger, though they have been significantly reduced in size in recent years. Falls actually happen on landing rather than from hitting the fence. More often than not if you hit the fence you will go straight through it.

Over the years they are constantly making the fences easier to jump. I imagine they will be easier this year than last year and this will keep happening into the future, especially with all the governing bodies eyes focussed more and more on horses welfare.

Then you have the field size which has been reduced from 40 to 34 runners.

All of the above makes me think this race is no longer the lottery it once was. You still need a bit of luck in running granted, but for me, it plays to the advantage of the classier type of horse these days.

It is actually a race which has been kind to us over the years. Since the website started in 2008 we have had five winners and multiple places. Those winners were Don’t Push It, Ballabriggs, Many Clouds, Tiger Roll and Corach Rambler.

How am I personally going to approach this race and things you can do to narrow down the field?

As mentioned above these days first I focus more on the classier type of horse. Since Mon Mome won the race in 2009, seven winners out of fifteen starts have carried 11st or more.

That is not to say I won’t be looking for any well-handicapped horses or horses carrying less than 11st, but my first focus will be on the classier type of horses.

I will concentrate on the jockeys. These are the ones doing the steering and the better the jockey, the better the horse will run. This race may not be as hard as it once was but it still needs a lot of skill from the saddle.

Some people like to use stats to analyse this race but I am all for keeping it simple. Next, I will go through the field and potentially look for horses who have form at the course or in the race itself. You see it repeatedly: horses return to Aintree each year because they absolutely love jumping the fences.

Use general form study which is used on a day to day basis like ground, course and distance etc.

As you see I don’t over do it and don’t use any fancy formulas and statistics. I just have a method in my head for this race and the boxes I want to tick to come up with my selections.

What is the ground likely to be?
As of writing this blog (7th April 2026), the forecast calls for relatively dry a couple of days leading up to the Grand National.Rain is forecast for Thursday, and light rain is forecast all day on Saturday, raceday itself.

They have also watered the course so I imagine we will have perfect good to soft ground for the race itself.

Since the course hasn’t been used, the ground will be lovely. Obviously, this is my opinion a few days before the actual race but one thing is certain: I’m sure it won’t be heavy and will be soft at worst, perhaps good to soft in places. As of now, I anticipate good to soft ground.

Let’s go through the 34 runners, provide a line or two for a few and conclude with my tri-cast: my 3 horses….

 

1. I AM MAXIMUS

You can’t really knock I Am Maximus, to be honest. He won the race in 2024, he finished 2nd in the race last year. Paul Townend has chosen I Am Maximus, and he absolutely loves Aintree. The current favourite for the race and rightly so. He is 1 lb heavier than last year and a year older, which is a negative but he showed last year that he can carry top weight.

2. NICK ROCKETT

Last year’s winner ran off a mark of 163 and this time around he is 5lb higher in the handicap on a mark of 168. You can’t fault his run from last year but I think this season has been a bit rushed. He had to run at Down Royal on 17th March to qualify for this race and I wonder if things have moved too quickly recently. Nevertheless he is trained by the master and you can never knock Willie Mullins’ plans and preparation. 

3. BANBRIDGE

Drier ground will suit him best so the forecast for Saturday is not in his favour. I am not confident he will get the 4m 2f and although he is a classy horse, I question whether he has the stamina for this trip. He manages 3 miles around Kempton, but four miles and two furlongs around Aintree, in my opinion, will stretch his stamina. He could have run in the Gold Cup last time out but they were unsure if he would stay, so they opted for the Ryanair Chase. That tells me all I need to know about whether he gets the trip….

4. GRANGECLARE WEST

Paul Townend had a tough decision about whether to ride Grangeclare West or I Am Maximus but how could he get off a horse who has won the National and finished 2nd in the last two years? Grangeclare West finished 3rd in this race last year, staying on well at the end, and he runs off the same handicap mark. He has a huge chance but he is inconsistent. If he is having a good day, he is right there; but if he is having a bad day, then he will be distant. Which Grangeclare West will show up?

5. GERRI COLOMBE 

A horse that looked like a National horse a few years ago. Was 2nd in the 2024 Gold Cup and then came to Aintree and won the Bowl impressively. That Gerri Colombe would be dangerous but after spending 421 days off the track, he has not looked the same horse since returning in December. He was a good winner last time out but he will still need to improve on that effort. Gordon Elliott may have primed him all season with one race in mind. If he were to win this, it would be a great training performance from Gordon Elliott. 

6. HAITI COULEURS

The 2025 Irish and Welsh National winner, and it is clear he loves these types of races.  He is now rated 166. Although he has had a great year, is he good enough to win off this handicap mark? Sean Bowen is in the saddle, which is a huge plus, but he was pulled up last time out in the Cheltenham Gold Cup—hardly ideal coming into a race like this. 

7. SPILLANE’S TOWER 

Spillane’s Tower is entered to run in the Bowl tomorrow although he prefers softer ground. He is better off waiting for the Grand National on Saturday with the rain forecast. On paper, he looks like a national type, so it will be interesting which one they pick. If they avoid the Bowl, is that a tip in itself, considering the shrewd James Mangan is the trainer?…

8. FIREFOX

They ran in the Gold Cup last time out and he finished a decent sixth of 10. Post-race, jockey Jack Kennedy said the 3m 2f stretched his stamina so on that basis surely he won’t manage the 4m 2f here….

9. MONTY’S STAR

His last run was at Leopardstown in the Irish Gold Cup where he travelled well for a long way before fading late in the race. To me it suggested he didn’t quite complete the three-mile trip at this level. They purposely skipped Cheltenham and trained him specifically for this race so he won’t be disregarded. Henry De Bromhead is shrewd, and when he targets a race, you take note….

10. SPANISH HARLEM

No doubt Spanish Harlem will stay the trip but for me he does not have the class to win this race. I can easily overlook, will they be my famous last words….

 

11. LECKY WATSON

The winner of the 2025 RSA Chase at Cheltenham, he has had an awful season. I think he will stay the trip but he is not for me. He does not jump well enough or at least he has not in the past. In my opinion, they will need to take a huge step forward to win this.

12. CHAMP KIELY 

Probably the most interesting Willie Mullins runner or outsider should I say. Willie Mullins has 9 runners and outside of I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett, this is the horse Danny Mullins has chosen to ride. I have seen worse 50/1 shots in the race and although he is not on my radar, I could not talk anyone off having an each way bet.

13. IROKO

Iroko was lined up for this race last year when it finished fourth. He has been targeted at the race again and his whole season has been around one race. I avoided him at Cheltenham in the Ultima Handicap Chase because I knew it was a stepping stone to this race.

He has a higher handicap mark this year but he is a better horse this time around. He beat Firefox at Ascot in December; Firefox later ran well in the Irish Gold Cup and Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

You can guarantee he will be spot on and perfectly tuned for this race and he clearly likes this race. I expect a big run. Jonjo O’Neill knows the horse inside out and at the age of 8 he is absolutely primed.

14. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU 

He has performed wonders on the Cross Country circuit this season and had he won at Cheltenham, he would enter the equation. If he couldn’t win a handicap cross country race, which is weaker than today’s, surely he can’t win this off the same handicap mark. He comes here in good form though, stays the trip and like a few others, I have seen worse 33/1 shots. 

15. THREE CARD BRAG

The trip is no problem for him but ultimately, in my opinion, he lacks the class. A horse I can easily overlook and are those my famous last words once again?

16. OSCAR’S BROTHER

He has had a great season but let’s not forget he is still a novice. He ran well in the RSA and he could be dangerous. I just worry about his experience over fences and maybe this is a year too early. 

17. MR VANGO

He stays forever but surely he is not good enough for this race. He has some classy horses here and in my opinion they will be far too good.

18. HIGH CLASS HERO

Easily swerved and will cause a huge upset if he wins this race.

19. STELLAR STORY

A horse that prefers very soft ground would be a big surprise if he could win this race on the forecast good to soft ground. If it rains heavily on Saturday, he might place, but he is not for me.

20. BEAUPORT 

Ran in this race last year and ran well for a long way before running out of petrol. He is 3lb lower this year and 3 times the price. Not sure he is improving at the age of 10 but is probably too big a price given he enters the race following a wind operation, and head gear is applied for the first time.

21. CAPTAIN CODY

He won the 2025 Scottish National, so we know he stays but I am surprised Harry Coben has not been booked, or maybe he has chosen another horse over Captain Cody. Not sure he has the class for a handicap mark of 149 but if he’s close enough, few will finish stronger.

22. JAGWAR

First time cheekpieces are applied, he stayed on in the Ultima Handicap Chase to finish 2nd to Jonnywho. He is now rated 157 so he gets into the race 5lb well in at the weights. Perhaps he has been running over the wrong trip as predominently he has been a 2m 5f horse. It is possible, but I am not quite sute he stays 2m 5f and others are preferred. He can also make mistakes and he won’tget away with them over these fences. 

23. PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS 

Ran in this race last year and fell at the ninth obstacle. I know he might finish the race this year but I do think sometimes it can knock a horse’s confidence, especially around the National fences. 

It’s interesting that Harry Cobden is on board but even so it will  need a big improvement from what I have seen this season.

24. GORGEOUS TOM

Another interesting runner might take to the fences and this sort of race. Sean Flanagan is a strong booking and has good weight. Looks like he has been trained for this race but even so although I think he is a dark horse, he isn’t the one for me, he just doesn’t fit the class angle. 

25. THE REAL WHACKER

He would surely need good ground to have a chance, but even so, he has not run since 1st January and has been primed for this race. He stays, he jumps and although I don’t think he will win, I have seen a lot worse 100/1 shots. 

26. QUAI DE BOURBON

A proper stayer who will love the trip but needs soft or heavy ground. It also lacks the class and will be another huge shock.

27. ANSWER TO KAYF

It’s surely not good enough. Not much more to add, I couldn’t have him in a million years. 

28. JORDANS

He has been quietly fancied for this race for a while and Ben Jones is a strong booking. He is not on my radar but he skipped Cheltenham for this race and maybe 147 is not a bad mark….

29. FINAL ORDERS

The winner of the Cross Country race at Cheltenham and horses from that race have a great record in this race. He gained nearly two stone from Favori De Champsdou at Cheltenham and that was the difference. He could perform well as he clearly stays but others are preferred. 

30. MARBLE SANDS

Just a no, surely no, Marble Sands can’t win a National…..

31. PANIC ATTACK

The horse has done us no wrong this season, winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup and then the Coral Gold Cup. She showed in the Coral Gold Cup that she stays over 3 miles and was not stopping at the line. She ran a credible race in the Mares Chase at Cheltenham but ultimately the trip was too short for her on decent ground and that was a lesson learned. We advised PANIC ATTACK for this race on 25th March, her odds are now 12/1, down from 25/1 when we tipped her. I think she has an outstanding chance with 10st 5lb on her back and I don’t think the trip will be a problem, given how she won over 3m in November. This is Dan Skelton’s only runner. After the season he has had, would anyone be surprised??

32. TOP OF THE BILL

Just no, surely no…

33.JOHNNYWHO

Very interesting and it makes the top five when I have narrowed the race down. It looks tailor-made for this type of race and also enters the race following a win in the Ultima Handicap Chase. He is also 6lb well in on the handicap. Corach Rambler won the Ultima and then won this race. Just 10st 4lb on his back and has a huge chance.

34. TWIG 

He won over these fences in December so he likes it around here. Only 3lb higher in the handicap and for a horse with form around this course and fences, he looks a big price with next to nothing on his back. He did finish 10th in this race last year though and probably lacks the class.

CONCLUSION

What a race! While I could make a case for several selections, realistically, we can only choose three in this race.

It was hard to leave out Johnnywho but I think he performs better on softer ground. Since he was primed for Cheltenham, I wonder if that race took a lot out of him.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Grangleclare West go close and the same could be said about Haiti Couleurs, who loves these types of races. 

I think Beauport is overpriced given Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride, is 3lb lower than last year, and has a first-time tongue tie. 

The Three I am going to side with are PANIC ATTACK, whom we are already backing at 25/1 after advising on 25th March. She is now into 12/1 and we have landed huge value. I think she is tailormade for this race. Her best performance this season was in the Coral Gold Cup over 3 miles and she was not stopping at the line.

This is the only horse Dan Skelton sends to the Grand National and I feel it is written in the stars that he wins the National after the season he has had.

She jumps for fun so the fences will be no problem and I just think with 10st 5lb on her back, she is thrown in. 

Some think she underperformed in the Mares Chase at Cheltenham but she jumped well; she just lacked the necessary speed at the end of 2m 5f. This slower pace will really suit her, and I can see her travelling so well into the race. We are on at monster price and the value is well and truly sealed.

I am also siding with I AM MAXIMUS for win only purposes. They are putting in cheekpieces for the first time since 2022 and when Willie Mullins puts on cheekpieces, he rarely misses.

I AM MAXIMUS has won this race in 2024 and was 2nd in 2025. The weight is not ideal but you cannot fault the horse around Aintree which is why I don’t mind having him on my side.

I also want IROKO on my side, again for win only purposes. We have landed massive value with Panic Attack so we do not need to cover each way, let’s find the winner.

IROKO was 4th in this race last year but a year on, he is physically and mentally stronger and ticks so many boxes. Since he finished 4th in this race last year, he has been training for the Grand National ever since. The rain on Saturday will work to his benefit, and I am expecting another strong showing. 

PANIC ATTACK 25/1 generally (advised 25th March) – 1 POINT E/W (5 places, 1/5 odds – NOW 12/1)

I AM MAXIMUS 7/1 generally – 1 POINT WIN

IROKO 12/1 generally – 1 POINT WIN

Good Luck

JPW Racing Tipster