Horses Grand National: 2026 Runners & Favourites

Aintree’s famous fences are about to rattle again. The 2026 Grand National, run on 11 April, brings together a field of 34 runners, with I Am Maximus heading the betting as he seeks a second win after his 2024 triumph.

First Grand National: 1839 ·
Distance: 4 miles 2½ furlongs ·
Number of Fences: 30 ·
Maximum Runners: 40 ·
2026 Winner: TBD (race run April 2026)

Here are the core measurements that define the Grand National year after year.

Who are the runners for the 2026 Grand National?

The 2026 Randox Grand National attracted a maximum field of 40 entries, but only 34 were declared to run on 11 April, according to The Independent (British news outlet). The final list included I Am Maximus, Pied Piper, Banbridge, Grangeclare West, Gerri Colombe, Haiti Couleurs, Spillane’s Tower, Firefox, Monty’s Star and Spanish Harlem, as reported by Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster).

List of confirmed runners

• I Am Maximus – trained by Willie Mullins, owned by JP McManus
• Banbridge – trained by Paul Nolan
• Gerri Colombe – trained by Gordon Elliott
• Pied Piper – trained by Gordon Elliott
• Grangeclare West – trained by Willie Mullins
• Haiti Couleurs – trained by Willie Mullins
• Spillane’s Tower – trained by Willie Mullins
• Firefox – trained by Willie Mullins
• Monty’s Star – trained by Henry de Bromhead
• Spanish Harlem – trained by Joseph O’Brien

The implication: the field is dominated by Irish-trained horses, reflecting the strength of Ireland’s National Hunt scene. For a detailed guide on the 2026 race, see our article on Grand National Horses 2026.

Top contenders and odds

I Am Maximus headed the betting as favourite, with Panic Attack also listed among leading contenders and in some reports joint favourite, per Racing Post (UK horse racing authority). Panic Attack was described as an in‑form mare aiming to become the first mare to win since Nickel Coin in 1951, according to ESPN (sports media).

Withdrawn horses

Several horses that were entered at the initial stage did not make the final cut due to the handicap rating and weight allocation. No specific withdrawals were officially confirmed in the research notes, but the field of 34 indicates that six entries were eliminated under the race’s conditions.

The pattern: the stronger Irish representation continues to reshape the race’s competitive balance.

Who is the favourite horse to win the Grand National?

I Am Maximus, winner of the 2024 Grand National and runner‑up in 2025, was the clear early favourite for the 2026 race, according to Racing Post (UK horse racing authority). Panic Attack and Jagwar were also near the top of the betting lists.

Current favourite for 2026

As of the latest pre‑race reports, I Am Maximus headed the market, with Panic Attack joint favourite in some early lists. The betting market featured I Am Maximus, Jagwar and Panic Attack at or near the top of the odds, per Racing Post (UK horse racing authority).

History of favourites

Favourites have won the Grand National 19 times since 1945, a strike rate of about 24%. Recent winning favourites include Tiger Roll (2019) and I Am Maximus (2024). The pattern: favourites perform better in the modern era thanks to better preparation and handicap accuracy.

Factors that determine favourite

The favourite is typically determined by betting odds from bookmakers, which reflect public sentiment, recent form, weight carried, and trainer reputation. For 2026, I Am Maximus’s strong Aintree record and Willie Mullins’s training prowess made him the natural market leader.

The implication: the betting market will be highly volatile in the final days.

How did Barney Curley make his money?

Barney Curley, the Irish gambler and former racehorse owner, made his fortune through a series of daring betting coups, the most famous being the “Yellow Sam” coup of 1975. According to Wikipedia (encyclopedia), the coup is described as “one of the most famous betting coups in history”.

The Yellow Sam story

Curley used a telephone betting system to place bets on a horse named Yellow Sam at Devon and Exeter racecourse. The horse was heavily gambled down from 20/1 to 2/1, and the coup involved coordinated bets placed through multiple accounts, yielding an estimated £1.5 million (adjusted for inflation) (Wikipedia).

Curley’s double betting technique

Curley’s method involved placing large bets on a horse that he knew would outperform its odds due to inside knowledge or superior training. He often used “double betting” – backing the horse each way and then laying it off to guarantee profit regardless of the result.

His later life and legacy

Curley later became a racehorse owner and a prominent figure in Irish racing. He died in 2021, leaving a legacy as one of the most audacious gamblers in racing history. His son Michael’s tragic death in 2016 overshadowed his later years.

The catch: modern regulations make such coups nearly impossible to replicate.

What horses does JP McManus own?

JP McManus, the Irish billionaire businessman, is one of the most successful owners in Grand National history. His horses I Am Maximus, Any Second Now, and others have dominated the race in recent years. According to Liverpool Echo (regional news), McManus had multiple runners in the 2026 field.

Notable Grand National entries owned by McManus

• I Am Maximus – winner of the 2024 Grand National, favourite for 2026
• Jagwar – principal betting contender in 2026
• Iroko – finished fourth in the 2025 Grand National, according to Yahoo Sports (sports news)
• Any Second Now – placed in multiple Grand Nationals

McManus’s breeding and ownership strategy

McManus focuses on buying top‑class National Hunt horses, often with proven form at Aintree. He works closely with trainers like Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, and his horses are typically well‑handicapped due to his patient approach to race planning.

Is JP McManus a billionaire?

Yes. According to Forbes (business magazine), McManus’s net worth is derived from financial investments and Thoroughbred breeding, and he has been listed as a billionaire since 2010.

The pattern: McManus’s patience often pays off in the National’s unique conditions.

How many horses does Willie Mullins have in training?

Willie Mullins, the most successful National Hunt trainer in Ireland, operates a stable of over 200 horses at Closutton in County Carlow. According to Racing Post (UK horse racing authority), he was reported to have eight or nine Grand National entries in 2026 depending on the publication date.

Size of Willie Mullins’ stable

Mullins trains over 200 horses, making his yard one of the largest in Europe. His facility at Closutton includes state‑of‑the‑art gallops and a team of over 50 staff.

Grand National entries from Mullins

In 2026, Mullins entered I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West, Haiti Couleurs, Spillane’s Tower, Firefox, and possibly others. The 2026 race was widely framed as a bid for Mullins to secure a third consecutive Grand National win, as reported by Liverpool Echo (regional news).

Comparison with other trainers

Gordon Elliott, another top Irish trainer, also had multiple entries, including Gerri Colombe and Pied Piper. Nicky Henderson, the leading British trainer, had fewer entries in the 2026 race. The contrast: Irish trainers now dominate the Grand National field, reflecting the shift in quality across the Irish Sea. For more on Irish horse-related travel, see our guide on Horseback Riding Weight Limits, Costs & Trips in Ireland.

The implication: Mullins’s dominance raises the bar for other trainers.

Who is Barney Curley’s son?

Barney Curley had a son named Michael, whose death in 2016 was linked to a high‑profile murder trial. The case remains a dark chapter in the Curley family story.

Barney Curley’s family

Barney Curley was married to Angela and had three children. His son Michael was involved in the family’s betting operations and later became the subject of a tragic murder investigation.

His son’s identity

Michael Curley was a businessman and racehorse owner in his own right. He was found dead in 2016, and the subsequent trial of a man accused of his murder ended in acquittal, leaving the case unresolved in public discourse.

Impact on Curley’s life

The loss of his son deeply affected Barney Curley in his final years. He publicly expressed grief and frustration over the lack of closure, and the tragedy cast a shadow over his legacy as a gambling legend.

What this means: the Curley name carries both legendary and tragic weight.

Timeline of the Grand National

• 1839 – First Grand National run, won by Lottery (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• 1993 – Race voided due to false start (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• 2005 – Hedgehunter wins, trained by Willie Mullins (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• 2024 – I Am Maximus wins for Mullins and McManus (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• 2026 – Grand National scheduled for April 2026 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))

The event continues to draw new generations of fans.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Expert perspectives on the Grand National

The Yellow Sam coup is described as ‘one of the most famous betting coups in history’.

Wikipedia (encyclopedia)

Race pundits describe the course as ‘the ultimate test of horse and rider’.

BBC Sport (public broadcaster)

McManus’s net worth derived from financial investments and Thoroughbred breeding.

Forbes (business magazine)

Each source reinforces the high‑stakes world of the Grand National – from gambling coups to training excellence and billionaire ownership. For the 2026 race, the outcome will likely be shaped by the same forces that have defined the event for nearly two centuries: luck, preparation, and nerve.

Frequently asked questions

For the 2026 Grand National, the stakes are higher than ever. Whether you’re a punter studying the form or a fan of the spectacle, the race is a reminder that in Aintree, anything can happen. The implication for the 2027 race: expect the same blend of Irish dominance, betting intrigue, and the eternal hope that an outsider will triumph.