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2026 Grand National Runners - Confirmed Field for Aintree

jon-vine
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Last updated: Wed 08 Apr 2026 11:04
The final lineup for the 2026 Grand National has been confirmed, featuring a competitive field of 34 horses. Willie Mullins has a strong presence with eight entrants, including market leader I Am Maximus, who will be fitted with cheek-pieces for the first time. JP McManus' six top chasers also compete, highlighting Jagwar and Iroko among them. Notable trainers like Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead have noteworthy entries as well. First reserve Pied Piper could join if any withdrawals occur before the race.
Jon Vine 08 Apr 2026
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  • Final field for the 2026 Grand National
  • 34 chasers will contest this famous handicap at Aintree on April 11th
  • Willie Mullins runs nine, with Paul Townend riding I Am Maximus
grand national aintree
Horses leave at the start of the Grand National. (Getty)

The final field for the 2026 Grand National was confirmed this afternoon, and the 34-horse field has been finalised.

Willie Mullins accounts for eight of the final 34 runners in the 2026 Grand National. Paul Townend has opted to ride current market leader I Am Maximus, who'll wear cheek-pieces for the first time. Patrick Mullins and Nick Rockett return to defend their crown. Grangeclare West, Captain Cody, Spanish Harlem, Lecky Watson and Champ Kiely will also represent the Champion Trainer.

Along with I Am Maximus, owner JP McManus is further represented by six top chasers. Jagwar will be ridden by Mark Walsh, with Iroko also representing local trainer, Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. Daniel King rides the novice Oscars Brother for his brother, Connor. Harry Cobden rides Perceval Legallois, with Richie McLernon keeping his spot in the saddle of Ultima winner Johnnywho.

Spillane's Tower was also confirmed for the race by the same connections. However, Jimmy Mangan's charge is due to run in the Bowl on day one of this three-day Festival, and his withdrawal would see first reserve Pied Piper enter the Grand National field.

Harry and Dan Skelton team up with Panic Attack, with Sean Bowen riding Irish and Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs. Favori De Champdou, Gerri Colombe, Stellar Story and Three Card Brag represent Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead runs Monty's Star and Gorgeous Tom.

Other notable runners include Gavin Cromwell's Cross Country winner Final Orders, Terence O'Brien's Answer To Kayf, and Joseph O'Brien's duo of Banbridge and Jordans. Ben Pauling's Becher Chase winner Twig is the last of the 34 confirmed runners. Pied Piper is the first reserve, followed by Imperial Saint, Amirite, Ain't That A Shame, Soul Icon and Hyland.

Grand National 2026 Final Field


No. Name Age Weight Jockey Trainer
1 I Am Maximus 10 11st 12lb Paul Townend W P Mullins
2 Nick Rockett 9 11st 11lb Patrick Mullins W P Mullins
3 Banbridge 10 11st 11lb JJ Slevin Joseph Patrick O'Brien
4 Grangeclare West 10 11st 10lb NA W P Mullins
5 Gerri Colombe 10 11st 10lb Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott
6 Haiti Couleurs 9 11st 10lb Sean Bowen Rebecca Curtis
7 Spillane's Tower 8 11st 8lb NA James Joseph Mangan
8 Firefox 8 11st 4lb Keith Donoghue Gordon Elliott
9 Monty's Star 9 11st 3lb Darragh O'Keeffe Henry De Bromhead
10 Spanish Harlem 8 11st 3lb NA W P Mullins
11 Lecky Watson 8 11st 2lb NA W P Mullins
12 Champ Kiely 10 11st 1lb NA W P Mullins
13 Iroko 8 11st 1lb Jonjo O'Neill Jr Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
14 Favori De Champdou 11 11st 1lb Danny Gilligan Gordon Elliott
15 Three Card Brag 9 11st 0lb Jordan Gainford Gordon Elliott
16 Oscars Brother 8 10st 13lb Daniel King Connor King
17 Mr Vango 10 10st 12lb Jack Tudor Mrs Sara V Bradstock
18 High Class Hero 9 10st 11lb NA W P Mullins
19 Stellar Story 9 10st 11lb Robbie Dunne Gordon Elliott
20 Beauport 10 10st 11lb Sam Twiston-Davies Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
21 Captain Cody 8 10st 10lb NA W P Mullins
22 Jagwar 7 10st 10lb Mark Walsh Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
23 Perceval Legallois 9 10st 9lb Harry Cobden Gavin Cromwell
24 Gorgeous Tom 8 10st 9lb Sean Flanagan Henry De Bromhead
25 The Real Whacker 10 10st 9lb Gavin Sheehan Patrick Neville
26 Quai De Bourbon 7 10st 9lb NA W P Mullins
27 Answer To Kayf 10 10st 8lb John Shinnick Terence O'Brien
28 Jordans 7 10st 8lb Ben Jones Joseph Patrick O'Brien
29 Final Orders 10 10st 5lb Conor Stone-Walsh Gavin Cromwell
30 Marble Sands 10 10st 5lb Kielan Woods David Killahena & Graeme McPherson
31 Panic Attack 10 10st 5lb Harry Skelton Dan Skelton
32 Top Of The Bill 10 10st 5lb Toby McCain-Mitchell Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
33 Johnnywho 9 10st 4lb Richie McLernon Jonjo & A J O'Neill
34 Twig 11 10st 4lb Beau Morgan Ben Pauling

Reserves



35 Pied Piper 8 10st 3lb NA Gordon Elliott
36 Imperial Saint 8 10st 2lb NA Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
37 Amirite 10 10st 2lb NA Henry De Bromhead
38 Ain't That A Shame 12 10st 2lb NA Tom Ellis
39 Soul Icon 9 10st 1lb NA Keiran Burke
40 Hyland 9 10st 1lb NA Nicky Henderson


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