Anticipation is reaching fever pitch ahead of the 2026 Randox Grand National, with the spotlight firmly fixed on Panic Attack—a 10-year-old mare aiming to shatter a 75-year drought for female winners at Aintree. The last time a mare triumphed in this legendary steeplechase was way back in 1951, when Nickel Coin galloped into the history books. Now, trainer Dan Skelton believes his charge has all the right ingredients to break that long-standing barrier.
“I love that a mare hasn’t won it for that long because it means there is going to be one soon enough—right?” Skelton quipped to BBC Sport, capturing the sense of destiny and hope swirling around Panic Attack’s camp. There’s no denying the confidence in Skelton’s voice, and it’s not just bravado. Panic Attack’s form this season has been nothing short of sensational.
After finishing third in last month’s Mares Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Panic Attack had already racked up a remarkable hat-trick of victories, including the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November 2025 and the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury just two weeks later. Those wins have pushed her up the weights, but as Skelton points out, “She needed to as she’s still on 10st 5lb so she had to win those races.”
This Saturday at 16:00 BST, all eyes will be on Aintree as Panic Attack, carrying the hopes of history, lines up to face 33 rivals in the world’s most famous steeplechase. She’ll be piloted by Harry Skelton—Dan’s brother—adding a family twist to an already compelling narrative. The Skelton brothers are no strangers to big-race pressure, but Dan insists the nerves will be replaced by excitement: “We run a lot of horses through the year—I won’t say it’s just another race because it’s not. It’s the most exciting race of the year and that’s why I’m here talking to you and listeners and viewers all want to talk about this race, which is great.”
It’s not just sentiment or superstition fueling the buzz around Panic Attack. According to a supercomputer simulation supplied by Boyle Sports, Panic Attack is the statistical favorite to lift the Grand National crown, with a 15.1% win probability. The model, which factors in seasonal performances, weight-to-probability ratios, and the skills of both jockey and trainer, predicts she’ll claim victory by two-and-a-half lengths. It’s a bold call, especially considering the caliber of opposition she’ll face.
Chief among her rivals is I Am Maximus, last year’s runner-up and winner of the 2024 Grand National, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins. The Irish maestro has a formidable team in the race, including Grangeclare West, who is pegged by the supercomputer to finish second with an 11.8% win chance. I Am Maximus, meanwhile, sits just behind with an 11.2% probability of victory. Both horses are expected to feature prominently, with Paul Townend opting to partner I Am Maximus, who will sport cheekpieces for the first time since 2022—a tactical tweak that could sharpen his focus for the marathon test.
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, is bullish about I Am Maximus’s prospects: “He’s been there and done it and ran a blinder back there when he was second last year. Willie is very happy with him and we’re hoping now for a bit of luck. He’s got the cheekpieces on and he’s getting a little bit older and wiser now. It’s great to have Paul riding, but he was always going to ride him, I think.”
Mullins’s son Patrick will be looking for back-to-back Grand National wins, this time aboard Grangeclare West, who finished third in last year’s renewal and comes into the race fresh from victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. “I think it’s as strong a team as we’ve ever had, on paper at least,” Patrick Mullins commented. “Obviously the second and third from last year are back again and there’s a couple of dangerous ones down near the bottom of the weights—we’ve got all the angles covered, I think.”
It’s not just the Mullins camp with a powerful hand. Owner JP McManus fields a robust team, including Iroko and Jagwar. Iroko, who managed to break the Mullins stranglehold by finishing fourth last year, is hoping for a revival after a disappointing run at Cheltenham. Berry noted, “Iroko disappointed a bit at Cheltenham which would worry you a bit, but the team think he is back in good form again now. If he could get back to where he was last year then he must have a shout.” Jagwar, meanwhile, finished second in the same race at Prestbury Park and will be tested by the marathon trip for the first time. Berry added, “Jagwar ran a blinder at Cheltenham and if he takes to the place and gets the trip he would have to have his chance. He will wear cheekpieces, which will sharpen him up and make him concentrate a little bit more. He’s got his own style of jumping, but we hope he takes to this.”
The withdrawal of defending champion Nick Rockett earlier this week has opened the door for a new champion to emerge, adding a further twist to an already intriguing contest. The supercomputer’s top-six projections also include Haiti Couleurs, Oscars Brother, and Jagwar, each with single-digit win probabilities, while other contenders such as Iroko, Jonnywho, Stellar Story, and Quai De Bourbon round out the predicted top ten.
For Dan Skelton, this Grand National could cap a remarkable season. The Alcester-based trainer is on the brink of his first British Trainers’ Championship, having already surpassed £4 million in prize money—an unprecedented achievement. “It is the ultimate for our sport. It is a national institution, a phenomenal race and something that everyone takes interest in. We’re very proud to be able to host it in our sport and to be able to headline it would be phenomenal and a lifetime achievement,” Skelton reflected.
As the curtain rises on three days of elite jump racing at Aintree, the 2026 Grand National promises to be a contest for the ages. Will Panic Attack seize her moment and etch her name alongside Nickel Coin, or will the Irish powerhouses continue their dominance? With a field brimming with class, history, and high drama, Saturday’s race is set to answer those questions—and perhaps pose a few more along the way.
With the world watching and the odds shifting, all that’s left is for the runners and riders to take their places at the famous Aintree start. The Grand National remains the ultimate test of stamina, courage, and a little bit of luck. This year, it just might be a mare’s time to shine.