With the dust barely settled from the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, the British sporting world’s gaze now turns to Liverpool for the 178th running of the Randox Grand National at Aintree. Scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. BST, this storied steeplechase once again promises drama, heartbreak, and perhaps a touch of fairytale magic. The Grand National, a near-190-year-old fixture, is more than a horse race—it’s a national event, attracting everyone from seasoned punters to casual fans placing their once-a-year bets.
This year’s race, run over a grueling 4 miles and 2½ furlongs and featuring 30 daunting fences, has already thrown up a series of shocks before the starting tape has even been raised. The field, which should feature 34 runners, has been shaken by late withdrawals and unexpected call-ups, keeping trainers, jockeys, and fans on tenterhooks throughout the week.
Most notably, last year’s champion Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins, was declared a non-runner on Thursday, April 9, due to coughing. The news was met with visible emotion from Mullins, who had seen his 33-1 outsider storm to victory in 2025 under his son Patrick. As broadcaster Matt Chapman told ITV, "It's just extraordinary. It was head-blown wide-open stuff when Tom got the ride. I just cannot imagine how he has felt for the last 24 hours and now this morning." Tom Bellamy, who had received the surprise call to ride Nick Rockett after Patrick Mullins switched allegiance to Grangeclare West, found his hopes dashed in dramatic fashion. "One man's misfortune can be another man's gain," Chapman added, hinting at the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Nick Rockett’s withdrawal initially paved the way for the first reserve, Pied Piper, trained by Gordon Elliott, to step into the field. But in a further twist, Pied Piper was also withdrawn after the opening race of the festival. The drama didn’t end there—Spillane’s Tower, another confirmed runner, was scratched after competing on Thursday. These rapid changes forced the race organizers to call up second reserve Imperial Saint, trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, and Amirite, trained by Henry de Bromhead, to round out the 34-strong field. The final confirmed runners now include a mix of seasoned campaigners and fresh faces, all vying for a slice of the £1 million prize fund, with a cool £500,000 awaiting the winner.
Leading the betting is I Am Maximus, the 2024 champion and last year’s runner-up, who heads into the race as the bookmakers’ favorite at odds of 7/1. The 10-year-old bay gelding, trained by Willie Mullins and set to be ridden by Paul Townend, carries the hopes of many. Yet, history is not entirely on his side. No horse aged 10 or older has won the Grand National since 2014, and no horse has triumphed carrying top weight since the legendary Red Rum’s second victory in 1974. I Am Maximus will shoulder 11st 12lb for the second year running—a daunting task by any measure.
Grangeclare West, also trained by Mullins and to be ridden by Patrick Mullins, is another popular pick at 9/1. The gelding finished three lengths behind Nick Rockett in last year’s renewal and has shown strong form, winning the Bobbyjo Chase in February. Jagwar (10/1), with Mark Walsh in the saddle for his final Grand National, and Iroko (12/1), who made a late surge to finish fourth last year, round out the main contenders. Panic Attack, at 12/1, and a host of others including Haiti Couleurs, Monty’s Star, and Johnnywho, will all be looking to seize their moment on the big stage.
The Grand National is notorious for its unpredictability, and this year’s build-up has only reinforced that reputation. The field is stacked with talent and stories. Johnnywho, for example, scored a comeback victory at Cheltenham after a wind operation, while Haiti Couleurs aims to become the first Welsh-trained winner since Kirkland in 1905. Amid the excitement, there’s also concern for jockey Kielan Woods, who suffered a fall at Fontwell just days before he was due to ride Marble Sands. As Chapman mused, there’s always the possibility of a late, fairy-tale twist if Woods is unable to take the mount.
Fans can look forward to a packed three-day festival, with the action kicking off on Thursday, April 9, and culminating in Saturday’s showpiece event. The full race schedule features top-class contests including the Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle, the Aintree Bowl, and the William Hill Aintree Hurdle, ensuring there’s something for every racing enthusiast. The Grand National itself will be broadcast live on ITV1, with comprehensive coverage of the entire festival available on ITVX and Racing TV.
The stakes, both sporting and financial, are enormous. The £1 million prize fund will be distributed down to the 10th-placed finisher, with the winner’s connections taking home £500,000. Owners typically receive around 80% of the winnings, with trainers, jockeys, and stable staff sharing the remainder. For some, just finishing the race is an achievement worth celebrating, given the formidable challenge posed by Aintree’s iconic fences—Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and the rest—whose reputations precede them. Over the years, safety modifications have been made to the course, but the Grand National remains a true test of stamina, courage, and jumping ability.
The roll call of recent winners reads like a who’s who of modern steeplechasing: Nick Rockett (2025), I Am Maximus (2024), Corach Rambler (2023), and Noble Yeats (2022) have all etched their names into the annals of Aintree history. Each year brings new stories and fresh heroes, and 2026 looks set to continue that proud tradition.
As the runners and riders prepare for Saturday’s marathon, one thing is certain: the Grand National remains the ultimate test in jump racing, where dreams can be realized or dashed in a matter of seconds. With the field now set following a flurry of late changes, anticipation is at fever pitch. Will the favorite finally break the weight curse? Can a longshot spring a surprise? Or will another chapter of sporting folklore be written at Aintree? All eyes will be on the famous Liverpool course as the action unfolds.