When is the Grand National 2026? Date, time, runners and latest odds

The Grand National is almost here with Aintree set to host a festival of jump racing and the biggest race in the calendar.

Last year saw a thrilling race with Nick Rockett triumphing to beat the defending champion I Am Maximus. Legendary horse racing trainer Willie Mullins will hope to triumph once again after his son, Patrick, was able to join the family celebrations by guiding Nick Rockett – a 33/1 shot on betting sites – to victory.

This year sees I Am Maximus return, with a great chance of two wins in three years, but jockey Paul Townend will leave it “as late as possible” before deciding which ride to take, having clinched glory with the JP McManus-owned horse in 2024.

Townend, who saddled Gaelic Warrior to Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham last month, has not partnered up with I am Maximum in his three races since, but is sure to be in the reckoning for the £1m feature race. “I Am Maximus gave me one of my greatest days in the saddle here two years ago, but there wouldn't be much between him and Grangeclare West on the face of it, so you really have to try and take sentiment out of it,” explained Townend.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s race:

When and where is the Grand National 2026?

The Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, 11 April, with the race starting at 4pm BST.

How can I watch the Grand National 2026?

You can watch the race on ITV1 with ITV Racing broadcasting the racing throughout the week, with three days of action for fans to get stuck into.

Who are the runners and riders for the Grand National 2026?

The field will not become official until the final declarations, with just 34 horses permitted, but the following 40 horses have entries into the race as things stand.

Horse, breeding, age, weight, trainer

1 I Am Maximus (FR) 10 11-12 Willie Mullins IRE

2 Nick Rockett (IRE) 9 11-11 Willie Mullins IRE

3 Banbridge (IRE) 10 11-11 Joseph O'Brien IRE

4 Grangeclare West (IRE) 10 11-10 Willie Mullins IRE

5 Gerri Colombe (FR) 10 11-10 Gordon Elliott IRE

6 Haiti Couleurs (FR) 9 11-10 Rebecca Curtis

7 Spillane's Tower (IRE) 8 11-8 Jimmy Mangan IRE

8 Firefox (IRE) 8 11-4 Gordon Elliott IRE

9 Monty's Star (IRE) 9 11-3 Henry de Bromhead IRE

10 Spanish Harlem (FR) 8 11-3 Willie Mullins IRE

11 Lecky Watson (IRE) 8 11-2 Willie Mullins IRE

12 Champ Kiely (IRE) 10 11-1 Willie Mullins IRE

13 Iroko (FR) 8 11-1 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

14 Favori De Champdou (FR) 11 11-1 Gordon Elliott IRE

15 Three Card Brag (IRE) 9 11-0 Gordon Elliott IRE

16 Oscars Brother (IRE) 8 10-13 Connor King IRE

17 Mr Vango (IRE) 10 10-12 Sara Bradstock

18 High Class Hero (GB) 9 10-11 Willie Mullins IRE

19 Stellar Story (IRE) 9 10-11 Gordon Elliott IRE

20 Beauport (IRE) 10 10-11 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

21 Captain Cody (IRE) 8 10-10 Willie Mullins IRE

22 Jagwar (FR) 7 10-10 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

23 Perceval Legallois (FR) 9 10-9 Gavin Cromwell IRE

24 Gorgeous Tom (IRE) 8 10-9 Henry de Bromhead IRE

25 The Real Whacker (IRE) 10 10-9 Patrick Neville

26 Quai De Bourbon (FR) 7 10-9 Willie Mullins IRE

27 Answer To Kayf (GB) 10 10-8 Terence O'Brien IRE

28 Jordans (FR) 7 10-8 Joseph O'Brien IRE

29 Final Orders (GB) 10 10-5 Gavin Cromwell IRE

30 Marble Sands (FR) 10 10-5 David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

31 Panic Attack (IRE) 10 10-5 Dan Skelton

32 Top Of The Bill (IRE) 10 10-5 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

33 Johnnywho (IRE) 9 10-4 Jonjo & A J O'Neill

34 Twig (GB) 11 10-4 Ben Pauling

35 Pied Piper (GB) 8 10-3 Gordon Elliott IRE

36 Imperial Saint (FR) 8 10-2 Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

37 Amirite (IRE) 10 10-2 Henry de Bromhead IRE

38 Ain't That A Shame (IRE) 12 10-2 Tom Ellis

39 Soul Icon (GB) 9 10-1 Keiran Burke

40 Hyland (FR) 9 10-1 Nicky Henderson

Who are the favourites?

I Am Maximus 6/1

Jagwar 9/1

Grangeclare West 10/1

Johnnywho 10/1

Iroko 12/1

Oscar’s Brother 16/1

Racing schedule and times

Thursday 9 April - Opening Day

13:45 - Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

14:20 - William Hill Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1½f

14:55 - The Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f

15:30 - Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase 2m 5f

16:05 - William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

16:40 - Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m

17:15 - Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f

Friday 10 April - Ladies Day

13:45 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f

14:20 - Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f

14:55 - Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m ½f

15:30 - Jcb Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

16:05 - Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 5f

16:40 - Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f

17:15 - Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys' And Amateur Riders' Race) 2m ½f

Saturday 11 April - Grand National

12:45 - Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m

13:20 - William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3m ½f

13:55 - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

14:30 - William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f

15:05 - Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f

16:00 - Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) 4m 2½f

17:00 - Weatherbys Nhstallions.Co.Uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f

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