Last Updated on 11/04/2026 by Andy Clark
Kevin Blake – one of the most respected racing pundits in the sport and a regular analyst for At The Races and Sky Sports Racing – has given his Grand National 1-2-3-4 prediction for today’s race at Aintree. Blake fancies a 28/1 chance to come home first and has picked out three horses to fill the places.
The Grand National goes to post at 4:00pm today, Saturday 11th April at Aintree.
Kevin Blake’s Grand National 2026 Prediction
| Position | Horse |
|---|---|
| 1st | Quai De Bourbon |
| 2nd | Monty’s Star |
| 3rd | Oscars Brother |
| 4th | Captain Cody |
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Kevin Blake’s Grand National Analysis
Grand National day is here. Kevin Blake gives his top four finishers for the famous Aintree race.
Inevitably, everything will build to the big one, but there are a couple of races before it that I have selections in.
The first race that makes appeal is the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (13:20). There are some very progressive and obvious types up towards the top of the weights, but I’m venturing down to the opposite end of the racecard for a very unexposed one in the shape of the Jonjo & AJ O’Neill-trained KAKA’S COUSIN.
The six-year-old has looked a promising sort from the outset of his career, winning two of his four starts over hurdles. His most recent run in a very competitive novices’ handicap hurdle at Sandown was his most promising, with him shaping well for an awful long way. That experience should bring him on again, but the main changing variable that makes him of interest is the step up in trip here. It very much promises to suit him and with him having a very light weight, I could see him running very well at what appeals as being a fair price.
The William Hill Handicap Chase (14:30) is another highly-competitive handicap chase and could well see the Tom Lacey-trained CRUZ CONTROL gain his third consecutive win in the race.
He made all to win it off 136 in 2024 and showed his versatility by winning it under much quieter ride off a mark of 139 last year. That latter victory came after a 100-day absence and this year it looks like his connections are looking to repeat the dose by getting him here fresh.
Two moderate runs earlier in the season attracted a generous 3lb drop from the handicapper which leaves him just 1lb higher than he was when gaining his comfortable success in this last year. With Tom Lacey looking to have his team in particularly good form at the minute, he looks to have a very solid chance.
Where else can we finish but with the big one, the Randox Grand National (16:00). So much has changed with this great race over decades, but it remains one of the great sporting spectacles anywhere in the world.
Kevin Blake’s National 1-2-3-4
1st – Quai De Bourbon
2nd – Monty’s Star
3rd – Oscars Brother
4th – Captain Cody
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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.