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Today's Grand National Tips - Best bets for Aintree

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Sat 11 Apr 2026 11:56

Jon Vine 11 Apr 2026

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Today's selections for the 2026 Grand National
This famous handicap takes place at Aintree on Saturday 11th April
Panic Attack, Gerri Colombe and Champ Kiely are our tips

Expired

The Grand National at Aintree. (Getty)

Here are our best betting tips for the 2026 Grand National, which takes place at Aintree at 4:00pm this afternoon.

Get our free Grand National selections below...

2026 Grand National Tip 1 - Panic Attack

PANIC ATTACK (7/1) has been smashed into favouritism for today's Grand National, having been available at as big as 25/1 a couple of weeks ago.

I backed Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup earlier in the season, and was delighted when she claimed victory in that valuable handicap. I wasn't keen on her chances in the Coral Gold Cup, on the back of a mere two-week turnaround. Yet, Tristan Durrell's mount travelled comfortably behind the leaders throughout and strode six lengths clear after the final flight to win that famous handicap without being asked any serious questions.

I did plenty right on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, but in hindsight, I shouldn't have napped Panic Attack in the Mares' Chase. 11/4 was far too short a price to take on a handicapper in an open Grade Two, and Harry's mount came up short as Dinoblue held off Only By Night in the finish.

I'm sure Skelton will have been delighted with the way his mare travelled and jumped around Cheltenham. Panic Attack simply came up against two proper Grade One-quality mares, over a trip that was probably a little too sharp on fairly fast ground.

Back in handicap company at Aintree, Panic Attack should be much more effective. Harry Skelton can do 10-5 easily, and I fancy Dan Skelton's mare will run another massive race.

undefined — Harry Skelton riding Panic Attack (orange) clear the last to win Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. (Getty)

2026 Grand National Tip 2 - Gerri Colombe

My one drawback with Panic Attack is whether she has the class of a Grade One or a Grade Two horse. As the severity of the Grand National fences has lessened in recent years, top-weights have tended to dominate the race, with the majority of the winners and placers carrying 11-4 or more.

I've got a top-class handicapper in the Grand National book with Panic Attack, now I want a proven graded performer. I was hoping that would be Spillane's Tower, but with good ground likely on Grand National day, he's much more likely to take up his entry in the Aintree Bowl instead.

GERRI COLOMBE (28/1) has claimed top honours twice here at Aintree. An impressive winner of the Mildmay in 2023, Gordon Elliott's star finished a close second behind Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup, and went on to claim a narrow victory in the Aintree Bowl less than a month after that monster effort at Cheltenham.

Elliott's ten-year-old missed most of last season, and struggled on his first couple of starts this term. Gerri Colombe then ran a lovely race in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, finishing second behind the excellent Grangeclare West.

Jack Kennedy's mount returned to winning ways in a low-key contest at Down Royal last month, beating the old-timer Roi Mage and an undercooked Nick Rockett. What I liked about that performance was how well Gerri Colombe travelled and jumped on good ground - something that Gordon Elliott's horses don't seem to enjoy.

In total, Gerri Colombe has won five Grade Ones, two have come around Aintree and two have come on quickish ground. Gordon Elliott has done a fantastic job nursing his former stable star back to peak form this season, and Gerri Colombe is still capable of clocking an RPR in the 170s.

2026 Grand National Tip 3 - Champ Kiely

Another former Grade One winner that can be backed at a tasty price is CHAMP KIELY (25/1). Danny Mullins gave Willie's ten-year-old an excellent ride at the Punchestown Festival last April, picking off Ballyburn before the final flight and storming six lengths clear on the run to the line.

Champ Kiely has been able to show his class over a number of different distances and surfaces. Willie Mullins's star won the Grade One Lawlor's Of Naas Novices' Hurdle in his younger days, and won on good, soft and heavy ground during his novice season over fences.

Paul Townend was in the saddle when Champ Kiely was only beaten a short-head by the excellent Only By Night when he made his reappearance in the two-mile Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas in November. Harry Cobden was then flung to the ground when Champ Kiely clipped heels with another runner on the first bend in the Savills Chase over Christmas, and his two runs since then haven't been particularly inspiring.

Champ Kiely has an excellent record when fresh, and comes into the Grand National on the back of a 68-day absence. Danny Mullins returns to his saddle for the first time since their Grade One success at Punchestown last season, and Willie's ten-year-old has been handed a lenient opening handicap mark of 157.

Verdict

Grand National 2026

Final Grand National Selections:

Panic Attack

2026 Grand National Tips

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Gerri Colombe E/W

2026 Grand National Tips

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Champ Kiely E/W

2026 Grand National Tips

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Jon has been a sports writer and tipster for over 15 years. Over the last decade, he has become completely immersed in all things horse racing. Every race is a puzzle that he is eager to solve.

Favourite races over jumps would include the Brown Advisory Chase (RSA) at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. On the flat, the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is the race that excites most each season.

Favourite horses of all time include Vautour, Laurens, Road To Respect, Topofthegame, Saint Calvados and Elegant Escape.

You can follow Jon at Muckrack or on Linkedin.