78 Entries For The World's Greatest Steeplechase
The 2026 Randox Grand National takes place on Saturday April 11 at Aintree Racecourse, with the three-day festival running from April 9-11. This year's race has attracted 78 entries, down from 90 in 2025, and the maximum field has been reduced to 34 runners for safety, down from the 40 that used to line up before the 2024 changes.
Irish-trained horses dominate the entry list with 49 of the 78 runners coming from across the Irish Sea, representing 63% of the total field. Willie Mullins leads the way with 15 entries, while Gordon Elliott has 12. Both trainers are chasing a fourth Grand National victory.
Weights And Top Contenders
Weights were announced on February 17 at St George's Hall in Liverpool. Former winner I Am Maximus, who won the 2024 renewal for Willie Mullins, carries top weight of 11st 12lb. Defending champion Nick Rockett, also trained by Mullins and ridden to victory by Patrick Mullins (Willie's son) last year, is on 11st 11lb, up from the 11st 8lb he carried when winning in 2025.
Mullins dominated the 2025 Grand National in extraordinary fashion, training the first, second, third, fifth and seventh home. That level of supremacy has rarely been seen in any race, let alone the world's most unpredictable steeplechase. Check our racecards for full runners and riders as declarations approach.
Ante-Post Market Movers
Iroko, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, is the market leader at around 8/1 to 14/1. The British-trained runner finished fourth in the 2025 Grand National and has been specifically targeted at going one better. I Am Maximus is available at 12/1 to 20/1 despite carrying top weight.
The biggest market mover has been Grangeclare West, who was cut from 25/1 to 12/1 after winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Runner-up Gerri Colombe also saw a dramatic shortening from 100/1 to 33/1. Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis and ridden by Sean Bowen, is an intriguing contender having won both the Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals. Panic Attack, trained by Dan Skelton, is the only mare among the entries.
Key Dates And Prize Money
The Grand National carries a total purse of £1 million, with £500,000 to the winner. Key remaining dates include the second scratch deadline on March 24, five-day confirmations on April 6, and final declarations on April 8 when the field of 34 runners plus 6 reserves will be confirmed.
The race covers four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs over 30 fences across two laps, including the famous Becher's Brook, The Chair at 5ft 2in, and the Canal Turn. Use our betting calculator to work out returns on your Grand National bets, and follow our accumulator tips for multi-race strategies across the Aintree Festival.
