🏇 The Grand National: The Full Report

How’s it going?

If you didn’t know, the Grand National takes place this Saturday 🥳

The annual chance to be a hero in front of your family and friends 🤓

Maybe even dreams of splashing out on a Saturday night takeaway 🍛

We can’t promise to make that happen, but we’ll try 💪

👉 The Grand National takes place at 4pm – live on ITV.

👉 Aintree hosts the big race - in Liverpool.

👉 A distance of four and a quarter miles (4m2½f) awaits 34 runners.

👉 Saturday’s ground will be good to soft.

👉 Last year’s winner, Nick Rockett, withdrew on Thursday owing to a cough. The reserve, Pied Piper, briefly replaced him, but was also then withdrawn, so Imperial Saint stepped in. It’s all been happening.

A catchy name, favourite colours, lucky numbers, the odds, jockey or trainer?

For many, it’s the name that stands out, and there have been some eye-catching names that triumphed down the years…

The last 10 Grand National winners

Colour-wise, the two most popular were a touch of orange and white, while favourites and big odds winners emerged.

As for the racecard number, the winner came from numbers 6 to 21 just once.

If you’re looking to dig a little deeper, then the following credentials were a common theme amongst the majority of recent winners…

Of the last 10 Grand National winners…

► 10 were seven to nine-year-olds
► 10 were not beaten more than 30 lengths last time
► 10 had 1-7 previous runs in a handicap chase
► 10 ran 3-7 times that season
► 8 ran over a maximum of 3m to 3m5f
► 8 won during their last three runs - (the other two managed a second instead)

Bonus Points For: Ran at Cheltenham last time.
Paddock Shortlist: Johnnywho, Firefox, Oscars Brother, Monty's Star, Gorgeous Tom.

Some of the above criteria can be found on newspaper racecards or bookmaker sites, such as age, racecard number (No.), form & weight.

You may also notice with the jockey silks above the green and yellow stripes that appear more than once. These are owner J. P. McManus’ horses – he has six runners this year. The difference between them is the cap, so check your racecard carefully.

We all like a pinstickers’ guide, right?

The Paddock Report team gathered in an air-conditioned room earlier this week – drank posh coffee, ate posh biscuits, and discussed the 2026 Grand National.

Here are our fast-and-simple pros and cons for each runner, along with a 5-star rating…

1. I AM MAXIMUS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Won this in 2024 and was runner-up in 2025.
Cons: Carries top-weight which could anchor him.

3. BANBRIDGE ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: An Aintree winner; shown fair form of late.
Cons: Stamina doubts; ran poorly last time.

4. GRANGECLARE WEST ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Third in this last year; in good recent form.
Cons: 10-year-old; 2lb higher than last year.

5. GERRI COLOMBE ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Unbeaten in two races at Aintree.
Cons: 10-year-old; moderate form this term.

6. HAITI COULEURS ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Won the Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals.
Cons: Hit-and-miss performer; pulled up last time.

8. FIREFOX ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Consistent; ran well at Aintree over hurdles.
Cons: Infrequent winner; stamina unproven.

9. MONTY’S STAR ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Aimed at this race; will like the ground.
Cons: Infrequent winner; stamina unproven.

10. SPANISH HARLEM ⭐⭐
Pros: Won the Kerry National in September.
Cons: Failed to finish in his last three runs.

11. LECKY WATSON ⭐⭐
Pros: Won at the Cheltenham Festival last season.
Cons: Poor form-figures this season: 77P8

12. CHAMP KIELY ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Willie Mullins-trained; rested & aimed at this.
Cons: 10-year-old; poor form of late.

13. IROKO ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Fourth in this last year (5lb higher now)
Cons: Cheltenham flop last time; needs rain.

14. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: In terrific form; stamina proven.
Cons: 11-year-old; creeping up the weights.

15. THREE CARD BRAG ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Improved victory at Cheltenham in October.
Cons: 11th in this last year (now 10lb higher).

16. OSCARS BROTHER ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Improved this term; could be better at this trip.
Cons: Had a hard race at Cheltenham last month.

17. MR VANGO ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Won the Midlands National last spring.
Cons: 10-year-old; pulled up the last twice.

18. HIGH CLASS HERO ⭐⭐
Pros: Proven over 3m4f; will handle drying ground.
Cons: Pulled up on both runs in 2026.

19. STELLAR STORY ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Career-best third in a good trial last time.
Cons: Majority of wins on soft/heavy ground.

20. BEAUPORT ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Won the 2024 Midlands National over 4m2f.
Cons: 12th in this last year; moderate this term.

21. CAPTAIN CODY ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Won last year’s Scottish Grand National.
Cons: Moderate form this year; may need rain.

22. JAGWAR ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: In good form; cheekpieces may help.
Cons: Makes jumping errors; stamina unknown.

23. PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS ⭐⭐
Pros: Won two staying handicaps two winters ago.
Cons: Fell in this race last year; poor form since.

24. GORGEOUS TOM ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Improving eight-year-old; trip should suit.
Cons: Well beaten by Panic Attack in November.

25. THE REAL WHACKER ⭐
Pros: Top form several years ago; on a nice weight.
Cons: 10-year-old; poor form this season.

26. QUAI DE BOURBON ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Third in an Irish National; ran well at Aintree.
Cons: In-and-out performer; needs softer ground.

27. ANSWER TO KAYF ⭐⭐
Pros: Won a top staying handicap chase this term.
Cons: 10-year-old; drying ground not ideal.

28. JORDANS ⭐⭐
Pros: Second in an Aintree novice chase last year.
Cons: Stamina unknown; below-par form this term.

29. FINAL ORDERS ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: 3m5f Cheltenham winner; will like the ground.
Cons: 10-year-old; fell here at these fences in 2023.

30. MARBLE SANDS ⭐⭐⭐
Pros: 3m3½f winner at Cheltenham in November.
Cons: 10-year-old; failed to shine in two Aintree runs.

31. PANIC ATTACK ⭐⭐
Pros: Won 3 from 4 this term; will like conditions.
Cons: 10-year-old; no female winner since 1951.

32. TOP OF THE BILL ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: In good form; shaped like this trip may suit.
Cons: 10-year-old; moving up in class.

33. JOHNNYWHO ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pros: Fifth in 2025 Irish National; likeable profile.
Cons: Cheekpieces may not work like last time.

34. TWIG ⭐⭐
Pros: In good form; won at Aintree in December.
Cons: 11-year-old; only 10th in this last year.

36. IMPERIAL SAINT ⭐
Pros: Low weight; will like the ground.
Cons: Unproven beyond 3m1f; fallen twice this year.

37. AMIRITE ⭐
Pros: Low weight; fourth here over these fences.
Cons: 10-year-old; pulled up on only run this year.

…and we’re backing:

JOHNNYWHO - Recorded a career best when storming up the Cheltenham hill to victory last month. That race has also provided the Grand National winner, which could be a good omen. His fifth in last year’s Irish National is another good sign that he likes to roll his sleeves up in the big marathons, and he’ll like the drying ground.

OSCARS BROTHER - We like the fact he won three on the spin earlier this season, displaying the will to win. Although missing out on making it four wins at Cheltenham last month, he made up late ground hand over fist – or is that hoof over hoof? – over the furthest trip he’d tried.

MONTY’S STAR - Came up short at the highest level despite running well over the last year, and takes a drop down in class for this, which will help - a bit like Ipswich dropping into the Championship. Gives the impression a long distance may suit, and could be seen doing his best work at the line.

Okay, we’ve looked at the Grand National, let’s now examine the two other big handicaps beforehand.

Below are the Pros and Cons from previous winners’ profiles of these races.

These can include a horse’s age, odds, or winning form.

Use the clues to find the winner yourself, or head straight to the paddock short-list…

Bonus Points For: 1-3 previous handicap hurdle runs, trained by Dan Skelton.
Paddock Shortlist: Supremely West, Hold The Serve, Absolutely Doyen, Kaka’s Cousin, Get On George.

Bonus Points For: 2-4 previous runs at Aintree, trained by Tom Lacey.
Paddock Shortlist: Brave Fortune, Deep Cave.

Here are Saturday’s diamonds in the rough to ‘make the frame’ 💎

We’ll leave it to you to choose how many places for those accas…

..but make sure to seek out those bookies with extended place odds 🔍

Not all favourites win.

Here are a few that may be worth taking on this weekend…

2.30 Aintree – Mr Hope Street
Winners of this race don’t usually arrive from a novice event last time.

3.05 Aintree – Honesty Policy
Not in the same form as when winning here 12 months ago.

3.32 Chepstow - Katie’s Melody
Yet to win in four hurdle races and her yard are not exactly firing.

Eagle-eyed readers will have noted that last weekend’s advice was to follow trainer Andrew Slattery, who hit a 22-1 winner and 28-1 runner-up on Sunday.

This week, the team nominates Tom Lacey.

Without a winner in March (0-18), Lacey’s last three runners all won on Saturday, Monday and Thursday.

Lacey’s Saturday runners:

1.55 Aintree – Montemares
2.30 Aintree – Cruz Control
4.40 Chepstow – Thorgath

For those who like to study the racecard, this sheet points out our researched angles for races in time order throughout Saturday.

12.45 Aintree

🎲 Betting: Top three in the market
🥇 Form: Already won twice that season
🏇 In-play: Front-prominent runners

1.20 Aintree

🏇 In-play: Patiently-ridden runners from behind

1.30 Newcastle

🥇 Form: Won during their last three runs

1.55 Aintree

🕵️ Trainer: Gordon Elliott
🎲 Betting: Top three in the market
🐴 Age - Five and six-year-olds
🏁 Winning distances: ½L, 7½L, 3½L, 4¾L, 9½L

2.07 Newcastle

🎲 Betting: Top two in the market
🕵️ Trainer: Micky Hammond

2.15 Chepstow

🎲 Betting: Top three in the market
🗓️ Days: Ran during the last 49 days

2.42 Newcastle

🎲 Betting: Top three in the market

3.05 Aintree

🎲 Odds: 12/1, 8/1, 8/1, 16/1, 5/2, 7/1, 14/1
🏇 In-play: Patiently-ridden runners from behind

4.00 Aintree

🏁 Winning distances: 2½L, 7½L, 2¼L, 2¼L, 6½L

4.32 Newcastle

🥇 Form: Won during their last three runs
🐴 Age - Five and six-year-olds
🏇 In-play: Front-prominently runners

5.00 Aintree

🎲 Odds: 10/3, 14/1, 18/1, 28/1, 8/1, 2/1, 25/1, 33/1

The headlines may come up at Aintree on Saturday, but The Purist fancies a quiet afternoon down at Yarmouth.

Trainer Charlie Appleby has a terrific record with his 3yo novice runners here since 2021, finishing: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 4th, 2nd, 1st.

Appleby runs two 3-year-old novices on Saturday:

2.37 Yarmouth - Del Maro
3.12 Yarmouth - Ottoman Empress

Flat racing fans may get Guineas and Derby clues at Leopardstown on Sunday where three informative races take place.

Publish (was 9-2) has been ruled out of the 2,000 Guineas (2 May).

The ITV cameras will be at Newmarket on Wednesday and Thursday for the Craven meeting.

► ITV (free): Saturday: Aintree: 1.20, 1.55, 2.30, 3.05, 4.00.
► Sky Sports Racing (free): Saturday: Chepstow, Newcastle, Southwell, Yarmouth; Sunday: Ffos Las.
► Racing TV (subscription): Saturday: Aintree, Bellewstown; Sunday: Musselburgh, Wincanton, Leopardstown, Down Royal.

Next weekend is the final instalment in the spring National trilogy – the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

On the Flat, there are several key Classic trials at Newbury.

Until then, dig your garden sandals out 🌤️ and…

..keep ‘em peeled 👀

The Paddock Report Team.