Last Updated on 09/04/2026 by Andy Clark
The confirmed jockey bookings for the 2026 Grand National are now known. The race goes to post at 4:00pm on Saturday 11th April at Aintree over 4 miles 2½ furlongs with a field of 34 confirmed runners.
Paul Townend takes the ride on ante-post favourite I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner and last year’s runner-up, who is widely considered the horse to beat. Mark Walsh partners Jagwar, one of the most interesting each-way contenders in the race. The booking of Walsh – who is regarded as one of the best big-race jockeys in the world – on Jagwar is a notable positive for connections.
Grand National 2026 – Full Jockey Booking List
| Horse | Jockey |
|---|---|
| I Am Maximus | Paul Townend |
| Nick Rockett | Tom Bellamy |
| Banbridge | J.J. Slevin |
| Grangeclare West | Patrick Mullins |
| Gerri Colombe | Jack Kennedy |
| Haiti Couleurs | Sean Bowen |
| Spillane’s Tower | Simon Torrens |
| Firefox | Keith Donoghue |
| Monty’s Star | Darragh O’Keeffe |
| Spanish Harlem | Brian Hayes |
| Lecky Watson | Sean O’Keeffe |
| Champ Kiely | Danny Mullins |
| Iroko | Jonjo O’Neill Jr. |
| Favori De Champdou | Danny Gilligan |
| Three Card Brag | Jordan Gainford |
| Oscars Brother | Daniel King |
| Mr Vango | Jack Tudor |
| High Class Hero | James Bowen |
| Stellar Story | Robert Dunne |
| Beauport | Sam Twiston-Davies |
| Captain Cody | Jonathan Burke |
| Jagwar | Mark Walsh |
| Perceval Legallois | Harry Cobden |
| Gorgeous Tom | Sean Flanagan |
| The Real Whacker | Gavin Sheehan |
| Quai De Bourbon | Donagh Meyler |
| Answer To Kayf | John Shinnick |
| Jordans | Ben Jones |
| Final Orders | Conor Stone-Walsh |
| Marble Sands | Kielan Woods |
| Panic Attack | Harry Skelton |
| Top of The Bill | Toby McCain-Mitchell |
| Johnnywho | Richie McLernon |
| Twig | Beau Morgan |
Key Jockey Booking Notes
Paul Townend on I Am Maximus is the headline booking of the race. Townend is widely regarded as the best jockey in training and his partnership with I Am Maximus is proven at the highest level – the pair won the Grand National in 2024 and finished second last year. If the horse is right, Townend will give him every chance.
Mark Walsh on Jagwar is arguably the most significant booking in the race outside of the favourite. Walsh is an elite big-race jockey and his association with the JP McManus team, who own Jagwar, signals confidence from connections. Our tipster has Jagwar as their main each-way selection in the race – see our Grand National tips for the full analysis.
Jack Kennedy on Gerri Colombe – Kennedy is a top-class jockey, and Gerri Colombe is one of the most respected staying chasers in the field. This is a combination with every chance of featuring prominently.
Patrick Mullins on Grangeclare West – Patrick Mullins, son of trainer Willie Mullins, takes the amateur ride on the Mullins-trained contender. The Mullins team have an outstanding record in the Grand National and Grangeclare West is well fancied.
Danny Mullins on Champ Kiely – with Patrick Mullins on Grangeclare West, Danny Mullins takes the ride on Champ Kiely, giving the wider Mullins team two strong jockey bookings in the race.
Harry Skelton on Panic Attack – Skelton is one of the leading jockeys in British jump racing and Panic Attack is among the interesting each-way contenders at a bigger price.
Sean O’Keeffe on Lecky Watson – our tipster’s long-shot selection at 50/1. O’Keeffe is Lecky Watson’s regular jockey and the combination is well-rehearsed – there will not be many more practised partnerships in the field.
Harry Cobden on Perceval Legallois – Cobden is a high-quality jockey, and this booking is worth noting for ante-post purposes.
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Grand National Race Details
Race: Randox Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap Chase)
Date: Saturday 11th April 2026
Time: 4:00pm
Track: Aintree
Distance: 4 miles 2½ furlongs
Field: 34 runners
More Grand National Content
- Grand National Tips 2026
- Grand National Free Bets
- Grand National Weights 2026
- Grey Horses in the Grand National
- Female Jockeys in the Grand National
- BoyleSports Grand National Offers
- Grand National Free Bet Deadlines
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide
- Each-Way Betting Explained
- Non-Runner No Bet Explained
- ITV Racing Tips
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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.