Last Updated on 10/04/2026 by Andy Clark
The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday 11th April at 4:00pm at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. The world’s most famous horse race is run over 4 miles 2½ furlongs with 30 fences across two circuits of the Aintree course. Up to 34 horses will line up for the 178th running of the race.
Our Grand National tips, the leading contenders, key trends and the best free bets available are all on this page – updated throughout the week as declarations are confirmed.
Grand National Free Bets – Best Offers for 2026
Grand National 2026 – Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Race date | Saturday 11 April 2026 |
| Start time | 4:00pm GMT |
| Venue | Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool |
| Festival opens | Thursday 9 April 2026 |
| Distance | 4 miles 2½ furlongs |
| Fences | 30 |
| Maximum runners | 34 |
| Prize fund | £1 million |
| Winner’s prize | £500,000 |
| TV coverage | ITV1 / ITV Racing |
| Sponsor | Randox Health |
Grand National 2026 Tips
ITV Racing Tips – Sunday 26th April 2026 | Musselburgh & Nottingham
ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 25th April 2026 | Sandown Jump Finale, Leicester & Haydock
ITV Racing Tips – Friday 24th April 2026 | Sandown & Perth
bet365 Are Giving Your Money Back if You Lose on Race 2 at Sandown This Friday
Grand National 2026 – Leading Contenders
I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins)
The 2024 champion attempts to become the first horse in over a decade to win the race at the age of 10 or older. Carries top weight of 11st 12lbs for the second year running – the same burden he carried when narrowly denied in 2025. Ran a brave second in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup in February, showing he retains high-class form. The age and weight are the negatives; Mullins’ mastery of the race and the horse’s course knowledge are the positives. Among the top four in the market.
Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins)
Finished a gallant third in 2025, only denied by a clattering error at the final fence. Responded with a dominant win in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase this season – a race that has been a key National trial in recent years. Reunited with Sean Bowen. A 10-year-old seeking redemption after his near miss; the course experience is a major positive and this is firmly one of the most credible each-way plays in the race.
Iroko (Nicky Henderson)
Finished fourth in 2025 and came into this season with an impressive win at Ascot before Christmas. Struggled in the Ultima at Cheltenham, but that is arguably ignorable given the different race shape. Rated 5lbs higher than his 2025 run. Course form confirmed, trainer has the National on his radar and the horse has the profile – improving staying chaser with Festival experience.
Jagwar (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
JP McManus-owned and confirmed to be ridden by Mark Walsh. Beaten half a length in the Ultima at Cheltenham, suggesting strong stamina credentials. A horse stepping up in distance for the first time over this extreme trip – queries over whether the Aintree distance will fully suit, but the Ultima run is an encouraging pointer.
Johnnywho
Won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and immediately saw National odds slashed from 40/1 to 16/1. Strong Ultima form has historically been a reliable pointer to Grand National success. The market move tells its own story.
Nick Rockett (2025 winner)
Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National at 33/1 for Willie Mullins and Patrick Mullins. He has not raced since his Aintree triumph.
Other notable contenders
- Final Orders – won the Cheltenham Cross Country Chase, a race with strong National correlations (Tiger Roll, Delta Work). Shortened from 100/1 to around 25/1 after Festival.
- Haiti Couleurs – was ante-post favourite earlier in the season but pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Now available at 25/1.
- Oscars Brother – prominent in the market.
- Panic Attack – Paddy Power Gold Cup winner, among the leading fancies.
Odds and market positions correct at time of writing. Check current prices before placing.
Grand National Betting Guide – How to Pick a Winner
The Grand National is the most unpredictable race in the calendar. With up to 34 runners over 30 fences, no single factor guarantees success. But the historical record is clear on several trends that consistently produce winners.
Age: Back 8-10 Year Olds
Horses aged 8, 9 and 10 have won the vast majority of Grand Nationals in the modern era. Eight and nine-year-olds have won 12 of the last 20 renewals. The last horse older than 10 to win was in 2014. Young horses of 7 rarely have the experience required; older horses of 11+ rarely have the physical freshness.
The sweet spot: horses aged 8-10, ideally on their third or fourth season of jumping.
Weight: The Mid-Range Advantage
Top weights rarely win. The maximum of 11st 10lbs has beaten the field only a handful of times in the modern era. The optimal weight band has historically been 10st 10lbs to 11st 6lbs – enough weight to confirm class, not so much as to grind the horse into the ground over 4+ miles.
Horses trying to give away big chunks of weight to rivals over this extreme distance face a near-impossible task by the final circuit.
Stamina: Proven Beyond Three Miles
Nine of the last ten winners had either won or placed in a race at a distance of 3 miles or more in the season they won the National. The race is simply too long and too demanding for horses without confirmed staying credentials. Wins in the Welsh National, Irish National, Scottish National, Becher Chase or Bobbyjo Chase are all strong indicators.
Seasonal Runs: Three or More
Six of the last ten winners had at least four seasonal runs before the National. Only four winners in the past decade had fewer than three runs in the season. A horse that has been out and running is ready. One that has only had one run may lack the match fitness the race demands.
Jumping: Clean Records Matter
Eight of the last ten winners had not fallen in the season they won the National. None of the last ten winners had unseated their jockey in the race season. Jumping ability is the fundamental requirement over Aintree’s famous fences – Becher’s Brook, The Chair, the Canal Turn. A horse with recent fall or unseating form carries extra risk.
Course Experience: A Significant Edge
Previous Aintree experience counts. Several recent winners had run at Aintree before their winning year. Horses that have jumped the unique National fences understand what is required. An Aintree course winner is the strongest marker; a previous National runner who showed ability without finishing is also worth noting.
The Grand National Fences
The 30 fences across the two circuits include some of the most famous obstacles in sport. Understanding them is useful for assessing whether a horse’s jumping style suits the course.
Becher’s Brook (Fence 6 and 22) – 5 feet high with the landing side 6-10 inches lower than the take-off side. Named after Captain Martin Becher who sheltered in the brook after a fall in the first National. The drop landing requires horses with a long, fluent jumping style.
The Chair (Fence 15 – first circuit only) – the tallest fence on the course at 5ft 2in with a 6-foot ditch in front of it. Only jumped once, on the first circuit. An imposing obstacle that separates the field.
Canal Turn (Fence 8 and 24) – 5 feet high with an immediate 90-degree left turn on landing. Jockey Richard Pitman described it as a fence where you can “win or lose a Grand National.” Horses that gain ground in the air here are significantly advantaged.
Foinavon (Fence 7 and 23) – the smallest fence on the course at 4ft 6in, named after the 100/1 winner of 1967 who avoided a mass pile-up at this obstacle. Small but famous.
The fences require a particular jumping style – confident, athletic, with the ability to adjust in the air. Slick, low jumpers who barely rise at their obstacles can struggle at Aintree; bold, scopey jumpers with plenty of air under them are at an advantage.
How to Bet on the Grand National
Each-Way Betting
The Grand National is the most popular each-way betting race of the year. With a field of 34, most major bookmakers pay 5 or 6 places at a fraction of the win odds. This means your each-way selection needs only to finish in the top 5 or 6 to return a place payout – dramatically improving your chances of a return compared to a win bet alone.
The standard each-way fraction is 1/4 the win odds. Some bookmakers offer 1/5 for more places. See our each-way betting guide for a full explanation of how each-way bets work and how to calculate returns.
Best Odds Guaranteed
Taking a price ante-post or early on race day is a sound strategy for the National. If the SP ends up bigger than the price you took, BOG bookmakers pay you at the bigger price automatically. If the horse shortens dramatically on the day, you keep the early price you locked in.
For example, a horse available at 20/1 ante-post might be 12/1 by race day after significant market support. With BOG, you collect at 20/1 regardless. See our Best Odds Guaranteed guide for which bookmakers offer BOG and from what time on race day.
Non-Runner No Bet
Ante-post Grand National bets carry non-runner risk. With 55 entries reducing to a maximum of 34 runners, a significant number of ante-post bets will end up on non-runners. NRNB protection means your stake is returned in cash if your horse does not take part.
bet365 and all the major bookmakers offer NRNB on the Grand National. See our Non-Runner No Bet guide for full details.
Budget Strategy
The National’s unpredictability rewards spreading your stake rather than concentrating on one selection. A sensible approach:
- 1 win bet on your strongest conviction at a realistic price
- 2-3 each-way bets on trend-fitting stayers priced 12/1-33/1
- 1 longshot each-way at a bigger price with strong staying credentials and course experience
Each runner carries approximately a 1 in 34 (roughly 3%) historical chance simply by virtue of making the field. Value lies in identifying horses where the betting market underestimates the actual chance.
Going Conditions
Ground is one of the most important factors in the National. Aintree has hosted the race on going ranging from heavy to good in recent seasons.
- Soft/Heavy ground – favours pure stayers with relentless galloping ability. Horses with Welsh National, Irish National or Scottish National wins on similar ground come into their own.
- Good/Good to soft – suits horses with better jumping technique and more pace. A faster surface rewards athletic types who can use their jumping to gain ground.
Check the official Aintree going reports from Thursday morning onwards. Going updates from the racecourse are published at 8am each day of the festival. The going can change significantly between Thursday and Saturday if rain or dry weather arrives.
Grand National 2026 – Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 17 February | Weights announced – I Am Maximus top weight at 11st 12lbs |
| Tuesday 3 February | 78 original entries confirmed |
| Thursday 9 April | Festival opens – Grand Opening Day |
| Friday 10 April | Ladies Day |
| Tuesday 8 April | Final field confirmed |
| Thursday/Friday 8-9 April | Final going confirmed, declarations due |
| Saturday 11 April 4:00pm | The Grand National |
Grand National Pundit Tips
Our racing pundits cover the Grand National in detail in the week of the race. Check their dedicated pages for the latest selections:
- Tom Segal Pricewise Tips – the Racing Post’s Pricewise column, the most influential tipping column in British racing
- Ruby Walsh Tips – two-time Grand National winner as a jockey, now a Paddy Power ambassador and ITV Racing pundit
- Kevin Blake Tips – Irish racing expert and At The Races pundit with strong staying chaser knowledge
- Matt Chapman Tips – ITV Racing and At The Races presenter, publishes daily via Paddy Power
Best Bookmakers for the Grand National
Best Bookmakers for Grand National Betting
All the bookmakers below offer competitive Grand National odds, Best Odds Guaranteed, NRNB on ante-post bets and generous each-way place terms for the race.
bet365 – Best Odds Guaranteed from 8am on race day. NRNB on ante-post bets. Extensive live streaming of the Festival.
Boylesports – Best Odds Guaranteed from 8am. Competitive each-way place terms. NRNB confirmed historically on the National.
Betfred – Bet £10 Get £50 sign-up offer. Best Odds Guaranteed. Known for generous Lucky 15 bonuses on racing – see our Betfred Lucky 15 guide.
William Hill – Competitive prices, early markets and Best Odds Guaranteed. See the William Hill sign-up offer.
For the full list of Grand National free bets and sign-up offers see our Grand National free bets page.
Grand National Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nick Rockett | 33/1 | Willie Mullins | Patrick Mullins |
| 2024 | I Am Maximus | 15/2 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | 8/1 | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | 50/1 | Emmet Mullins | Sam Waley-Cohen |
| 2021 | Minella Times | 11/1 | Henry de Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore |
| 2020 | Not run (COVID-19) | — | — | — |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | 4/1F | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | 10/1 | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell |
| 2017 | One For Arthur | 14/1 | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox |
| 2016 | Rule The World | 33/1 | Mouse Morris | David Mullins |
Willie Mullins has trained two of the last three Grand National winners and now dominates the race as he does the Cheltenham Festival. Irish-trained horses have won the National in four of the last five runnings.
Grand National FAQs
When is the Grand National 2026? The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday 11 April 2026 at 4:00pm GMT at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.
How far is the Grand National? The Grand National is run over 4 miles 2½ furlongs with 30 fences over two circuits of the Aintree course.
How many horses run in the Grand National? A maximum of 34 horses can run. With 78 original entries, the field is reduced progressively through scratchings before a final confirmation of runners on Tuesday of race week.
Who won the Grand National in 2025? Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins, won the 2025 Grand National at 33/1.
Who is favourite for the 2026 Grand National? As of late March 2026, the market is headed by I Am Maximus (defending champion), Grangeclare West, Iroko and Jagwar in a four-way battle at the head of the market. Check current prices at your bookmaker as the market moves regularly.
What channel is the Grand National on? The Grand National is broadcast live on ITV1 and the ITV Hub (ITVX). Racing TV also holds broadcast rights. The race starts at 4pm on Saturday 11 April.
How do I watch the Grand National? ITV1 shows the race free-to-air. You can also stream it on the ITV Hub (ITVX). Most major bookmakers including bet365, Boylesports and William Hill offer live streaming with a funded account or a qualifying bet placed.
What are the best each-way place terms for the Grand National? Most major bookmakers pay 5 or 6 places at 1/4 the win odds. Some bookmakers may offer enhanced each-way terms (more places or a bigger fraction) in the days before the race. Check individual bookmaker promotions closer to race day.
Is the Grand National on ITV? Yes. The Grand National is broadcast live on ITV1 with full coverage from Aintree throughout the afternoon.
What prize money does the Grand National winner receive? The total prize fund is £1 million. The winning connections receive approximately £500,000. Second place receives approximately £200,000.
More Grand National Content
- Grand National Free Bets 2026
- bet365 Grand National Offer
- Non-Runner No Bet Explained
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide
- Each-Way Betting Explained
- ITV Racing Tips
- NAP of the Day
- Lucky 15 Tips
- Horse Racing Free Bets
- Free Bets Hub