Last Updated on 11/04/2026 by Andy Clark
Grey horses are one of the most popular talking points of Grand National week. In a field of 34 runners, the greys stand out immediately – and every year, punters wonder whether one of them can become only the fourth grey winner in the race’s 187-year history.
In 2026, there is one grey horse confirmed in the Grand National field: Marble Sands.
Hyland and Harry Des Ongrais, who were outside the cut in the weeks leading up to the race, did not make the final 34. Marble Sands is the sole grey going to post.
The 2026 Grand National takes place today, Saturday 11th April at 4:00pm at Aintree.
Grey Horses in the Grand National 2026
| Horse | Runner Number | Status | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marble Sands | 33 | ✅ IN the race | Kielan Woods | 80/1 |
| Hyland | 45 | ❌ Did not make the field | – | – |
| Harry Des Ongrais | 46 | ❌ Did not make the field | – | – |
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Marble Sands – The Only Grey in the 2026 Grand National
Trainer: Graeme McPherson | Age: 10 | Weight: 10st 5lbs | Jockey: Kielan Woods | Odds: 80/1
Marble Sands is the sole grey horse in the 2026 Grand National. The 10-year-old grey gelding will be ridden by Kielan Woods – the same partnership that won the Oddschecker Handicap Chase at Cheltenham back in November.
He was last seen on Boxing Day finishing second in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby behind Konfusion, and before that won at the Cheltenham November Meeting over 3m 3½f – a result that suggests he has the stamina for the longer National trip.
Crucially, Marble Sands also has Grand National course experience. He finished 12th of 30 in the Topham Chase at Aintree in 2025 – jumping the unique National fences and getting round. Course experience at Aintree is a genuine advantage and one that many in the field will not have.
At 10st 5lbs he carries a relatively light weight, which is another positive. The Grand National’s history strongly favours horses carrying between 10st and 11st 6lbs.
With course experience, proven stamina over 3m+, a light weight and a specific preparation for this race, Marble Sands is not the worst 80/1 shot in the field. For context, Neptune Collonges – the last grey to win – won at 33/1 in 2012, which is actually shorter than Marble Sands’ current price.
Has a Grey Horse Ever Won the Grand National?
Yes – but only three times in the race’s entire history since 1839.
| Horse | Year | Odds | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lamb | 1868 | – | George Ede |
| The Lamb | 1871 | – | Tommy Pickernell |
| Nicolaus Silver | 1961 | 28/1 | Bobby Beasley |
| Neptune Collonges | 2012 | 33/1 | Daryl Jacob |
The Lamb (1868 and 1871) – the only horse to win the Grand National twice as a grey, back-to-back in the 1800s.
Nicolaus Silver (1961) – trained by Jeremy Vaughan and ridden by Bobby Beasley. Won at 28/1 and is still remembered as one of the most stylish winners the race has seen.
Neptune Collonges (2012) – the most recent grey winner and the only one this century. Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Daryl Jacob, he beat Sunnyhillboy by a short head in a photo finish. We are now 14 years on from the last grey winner.
Why Do Grey Horses Rarely Win the Grand National?
The rarity of grey winners is largely a numbers game. Grey is a relatively uncommon coat colour in horse racing. Bay horses are by far the most common, followed by chestnut, brown and black. Greys represent a small minority of horses in training, so they naturally appear less frequently in any race, including the Grand National.
It is not that grey horses are less capable. Neptune Collonges and Nicolaus Silver were both legitimate, well-handicapped horses who deserved their victories. But with fewer greys in training, fewer make the final field each year.
The 2026 renewal sees just one grey lining up – the tighter qualification threshold that reduced the maximum field from 40 to 34 has resulted in a higher calibre of horse required to qualify, reducing grey representation further.
WATCH: Neptune Collonges Winning The 2012 Grand National at Aintree
So grey horses have won the Grand National, but the gaps between victories tell their own story. After The Lamb’s back-to-back wins in the 1800s, punters waited 90 years for Nicolaus Silver. Then another 51 years for Neptune Collonges. We are now 14 years on from the last grey winner.
Why Do Grey Horses Rarely Win the Grand National?
The rarity of grey winners is largely a numbers game. Grey is a relatively uncommon coat colour in horse racing. Bay horses are by far the most common, followed by chestnut, brown and black. Greys represent a small minority of horses in training, so they naturally appear less frequently in any race, including the Grand National.
It is not that grey horses are less capable. Neptune Collonges and Nicolaus Silver were both legitimate, well-handicapped horses who deserved their victories. But with fewer greys in training, fewer make the final field of 34 each year.
The 2026 renewal sees just three greys potentially lining up – fewer than the seven that ran in 2025. This is partly a reflection of the tighter qualification threshold that has reduced the maximum field from 40 to 34, with a higher calibre of horse now required to qualify.
Can a Grey Win the 2026 Grand National?
The three greys in contention – Marble Sands (66/1), Hyland (80/1) and Harry Des Ongrais (100/1) – are all currently among the bigger-priced entries. None are prominent in the ante-post market.
For context, the last grey winner, Neptune Collonges, won at 33/1 in 2012, which is actually shorter than the current prices available on all three 2026 grey contenders. A grey winning at 80/1 or 100/1 would be among the biggest-priced winners in the race’s modern history.
That said, the Grand National is the most unpredictable race in the calendar. Noble Yeats won as a 50/1 shot in 2022. Rule The World won at 33/1 in 2016. Big prices do win the National, and a grey at 66/1 or longer is no more inherently unlikely than any other 66/1 shot in a 34-runner field.
If you fancy a sentimental each-way grey bet, using one of the Grand National free bets available from the major bookmakers is the smart way to do it – you get the bet without risking your own money, and if they place in the top 5 or 6, you collect the place return.
Grand National 2026 – Grey Horse FAQs
Grand National 2026 – Grey Horse FAQs
What grey horses are running in the Grand National 2026? Only one – Marble Sands (80/1), ridden by Kielan Woods. Hyland and Harry Des Ongrais did not make the final field.
Is there a grey horse in the Grand National 2026? Yes – Marble Sands is the only grey confirmed in the final 34.
Has a grey horse ever won the Grand National? Yes, three times. The Lamb won in 1868 and 1871, Nicolaus Silver won in 1961 and Neptune Collonges won in 2012.
When was the last grey horse to win the Grand National? Neptune Collonges in 2012, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Daryl Jacob. He won by a short head at 33/1.
What are the odds on Marble Sands in the Grand National 2026? 80/1 with bet365 as of Friday 10th April.
Who is riding Marble Sands in the Grand National 2026? Kielan Woods, who also rode him to win at Cheltenham in November 2025.
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Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.