Runners declared for the 2026 Randox Grand National

I Am Maximus heads the field of 34 declared runners for Saturday’s Randox Grand National as he looks to regain his title from 2024.

No horse since Ginger McCain’s Aintree legend has won the world’s most famous steeplechase, lost the title and then regained it. Red Rum won in 1973 and 1974 and was second in 1975 and 1976 before bringing the house down with a third victory in 1977.

Willie Mullins’ I Am Maximus – who will be sporting cheekpieces for just the second time, the first being back in December 2022 – won two years ago in the hands of Paul Townend and found only stablemate Nick Rockett too good in 2025 when aiming to be the first dual winner since Tiger Roll.

As well as the past two winners, Mullins also runs Grangeclare West, who was third last year and will actually be the ride of Patrick Mullins, successful aboard Nick Rockett for his father last year but now overlooked in favour of the Bobbyjo Chase winner. Tom Bellamy picks up a dream spare ride on the defending champion.

Others for Closutton are Spanish Harlem, owned by Dr Peter Fitzgerald, founder and owner of the sponsors Randox, Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, High Class Hero, Captain Cody and Quai De Bourbon.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs is another aiming for a slice of history as no horse has won the Welsh and Irish Nationals as well as the Aintree version, while Banbridge, Gerri Colombe, Firefox, Monty’s Star and Oscars Brother enhance Ireland’s traditionally strong hand. The latter is trained by Connor King and will be ridden by his brother, Daniel.

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero have two big chances, with last year’s fourth Iroko joined by stablemate Jagwar. Like I Am Maximus, both are owned by JP McManus, who also has Cheltenham Festival winner Johnnywho on his UK-trained team.

Ben Pauling’s Twig finished 10th last year and Becher Chase success over the fences earlier this season has reignited the National dream for his connections, who picked him up for £100. He will be ridden by the owner’s 21-year-old son, Beau Morgan.

Pauling said:

“He ran well in the race last year when he was ridden to come home well, but I don’t think the plan was to be quite so far back,”

“He acts on the track, he obviously enjoys it there having won the Becher and if we can get him into a rhythm closer to the pace, as it’s much harder these days to come from off the pace, that would be better.

“If he can travel in the first half of the field on the first circuit and just hold our own on the second circuit, as we know he stays very well, then we’ll see if we can beat last year’s result. Anything inside the top 10 and we’d be thrilled, anything else is a bonus.

“He’s not thrown in or anything like that but he’s got his ground and he likes the fences so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s there with a shout two out, after there we’ll see.

“He’s very much a fairytale National story, he cost next to nothing, he’s ridden by the son of the owner, but we’ll see if we have a fairytale result.”

There were no withdrawals at the 72-hour declaration stage, although Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower is also declared to run in Thursday’s Racing Welfare Bowl Chase. Should that be the case, Pied Piper, who is the first of six reserves, would be number 34 and line up as a sixth runner in the race for Gordon Elliott.

In the event of a non-runner, the deadline for reserves to make the final field is 1pm on Friday.

Current Going (Grand National Course): Good to Soft

List of runners for the Randox Grand National 2026

1 I Am Maximus (FR) p 10 11 12 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland P. Townend

2 Nick Rockett (IRE) 9 11 11 Stewart & Sadie Andrew W. P. Mullins Ireland

3 Banbridge (IRE) v 10 11 11 Mr R. A. Bartlett Joseph Patrick O’Brien Ireland J. J. Slevin

4 Grangeclare West (IRE) 10 11 10 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

5 Gerri Colombe (FR) p 10 11 10 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

6 Haiti Couleurs (FR) 9 11 10 Conyers, McDermott and Prowting Rebecca Curtis Sean Bowen

7 Spillane’s Tower (IRE) 8 11 8 Mr John P. McManus James Joseph Mangan Ireland

8 Firefox (IRE) ts 8 11 4 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

9 Monty’s Star (IRE) 9 11 3 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead Ireland

10 Spanish Harlem (FR) ts, p 8 11 3 Dr S. P. Fitzgerald W. P. Mullins Ireland

11 Lecky Watson (IRE) 8 11 2 Slaneyville Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

12 Champ Kiely (IRE) 10 11 1 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins Ireland

13 Iroko (FR) ts 8 11 1 Mr John P. McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O’Neill Jr.

14 Favori de Champdou (FR) bl 11 11 1 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

15 Three Card Brag (IRE) p 9 11 0 McNeill Family/Patrick & Scott Bryceland Gordon Elliott Ireland

16 Oscars Brother (IRE) 8 10 13 Mr John P. McManus Connor King Ireland

17 Mr Vango (IRE) ts, p 10 10 12 Cracker and Smodge Partnership Sara Bradstock Jack Tudor

18 High Class Hero 9 10 11 Sullivan Group Ltd/P. Crowley/N. Hughes W. P. Mullins Ireland

19 Stellar Story (IRE) bl,ts 9 10 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

20 Beauport (IRE) ts 10 10 11 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies

21 Captain Cody (IRE) 8 10 10 V Caldwell/A Shamoon/Mrs A Shamoon Ibgi W. P. Mullins Ireland

22 Jagwar (FR) ts, p 7 10 10 Mr John P. McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

23 Perceval Legallois (FR) 9 10 9 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell Ireland Harry Cobden

24 Gorgeous Tom (IRE) 8 10 9 Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd Henry de Bromhead Ireland Sean Flanagan

25 The Real Whacker (IRE) 10 10 9 Neville, Mann, Duffus & Dennis-Price Patrick Neville Gavin Sheehan

26 Quai de Bourbon (FR) p 7 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

27 Answer To Kayf 10 10 8 Mr Denis A. O’Connor Terence O’Brien Ireland

28 Jordans (FR) 7 10 8 Cheeky Pups Syndicate Joseph Patrick O’Brien Ireland Ben Jones

29 Final Orders 10 10 5 C. M. D. Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland Conor Stone-Walsh

30 Marble Sands (FR) 10 10 5 DL Adams, JA Adams & G McPherson David Killahena & Graeme McPherson Kielan Woods

31 Panic Attack (IRE) 10 10 5 Bryan Drew Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

32 Top of The Bill (IRE) p 10 10 5 Mr Charlie Walker Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Toby McCain-Mitchell

33 Johnnywho (IRE) ts, p 9 10 4 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill Richie McLernon

34 Twig p 11 10 4 Mrs G. Morgan Ben Pauling Beau Morgan

Reserves

R35 Pied Piper ts, p 8 10 3 Mrs M. Roden & Mrs R. Nolan Gordon Elliott Ireland

R36 Imperial Saint (FR) 8 10 2 Richard Johnson Racing Imperial Saint Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Callum Pritchard

R37 Amirite (IRE) ts 10 10 2 Patrick Hale Henry de Bromhead Ireland

R38 Ain’t That A Shame (IRE) 12 10 2 Eventmasters Racing Tom Ellis Jack Andrews

R39 Deep Cave (IRE) 8 10 2 Sue Howell Christian Williams

R40 Buddy One (IRE) p 9 10 2 E. Lynch/T.C.Quinn/John J. McGrath Paul John Gilligan Ireland

Reserves come into the race if there are any relevant non-runners before 1pm on Friday 10th April

Race Conditions

Total prize fund £1,000,000 with £500,000 to the winning horse.

The second to receive £200,000, the third £100,000, the fourth £65,000, the fifth £40,000, the sixth £30,000, the seventh £20,000, the eighth £15,000, the ninth £10,000 and the tenth £5,000.

For seven years old and upwards, which, prior to March 24th, have started in a minimum of six steeple chases run under the Rules of Racing of a Recognised Turf Authority, at least one of which must have been during the current season.

In addition, prior to March 24th, horses must have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a steeple chase with an official distance description of ‘two miles seven and a half furlongs’ or more, at any time during the horse’s career.

Horses must be also allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Handicapper following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 15th.

Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered.

Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including February 15th would merit a minimum rating of 130.

Find out more information on the Grand National website.

Find everything you need to know about Grand National Festival 2026 here.

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