Note will continue to add results to this article and best rated horses on an evening, each day of the meeting. Naps in the morning. 🌅
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Welcome to the 2026 Grand National Meeting, three days of Liverpudlian glitter, questionable millinery choices, and the kind of sporting drama that makes even the most casual observer believe they can “read” a 34-runner handicap.
Running from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11, the Aintree Festival is the more relaxed, slightly louder cousin to Cheltenham. While Cheltenham is for the purists, Aintree is for the punters. Here is your witty (yet statistically clinical) guide to surviving the meeting.
While Saturday is the day for the office sweepstakes and people who think “Each-Way” is a brand of travel insurance, the Thursday and Friday of the Aintree meeting are where the real betting souls live.
It’s a 48-hour blur of Grade 1 prestige, Merseyside hospitality, and the distinct possibility of losing your shirt before the National even starts. Here is how to navigate the “Opening Day” and the legendary “Ladies Day” with your dignity, and perhaps your wallet, intact.
🐎 Thursday: The “Opening Day” (April 9, 2026)
Thursday is for the purists. It’s the day when horses that found Cheltenham a bit too “stressful” come to Liverpool to seek redemption.
The Highlight: The Aintree Bowl (2:55 PM)
Commonly known as the “Gold Cup Consolation Prize,” this race is often better than the actual Gold Cup because the horses aren’t terrified of the uphill finish. The Trend: Look for Jango Baie and Impaire Et Passe. Stats suggest that horses who ran in the Ryanair Chase or the Gold Cup but didn’t actually win often find the flat track of Aintree much more to their liking.
The Vibe: Serious. It’s all about the form. If you see someone in a tweed three-piece suit whispering to a bin man, they’re probably discussing the ground conditions.
The Wildcard: The Foxhunters’ Chase (3:30 PM)
This is the Grand National fences, but for amateur riders. It is essentially “The World’s Most Dangerous School Run.”
The Punter’s Tip: Experience is everything here. You want a horse like Barton Snow or Its On The Line, beasts that have jumped these fences before and jockeys who have a day job but a very high pain threshold.
🥂 Friday: “Ladies Day” (April 10, 2026)
Friday is a unique ecosystem. It is a kaleidoscope of neon fascinators, fake tan, and some of the highest-quality chasing you will see all season.
The Class Act: The Melling Chase (3:30 PM)
This is the “Speedster’s Derby.” It’s over 2 miles and 4 furlongs, which is the horse racing equivalent of a middle-distance sprint.
The Front-Runner: Grey Dawning is the one to watch. The stat to remember here is “Freshness.” At this stage of the season, a horse that bypassed the grueling festivals in March is like a sprinter who’s been on a spa retreat while everyone else was doing CrossFit.
The Trend: Since 2013, 80% of winners had finished in the top three on their previous start. Consistency isn’t just a virtue; it’s a betting strategy.
The Chaos: The Topham Chase (4:05 PM)
If you like the Grand National but wish it was over faster and involved more shouting, the Topham is for you. It’s over the National fences, but at a suicidal pace.
Course Specialists: Horses like Madara and Gentleman De Mee are the types to look for. You need a “bold” jumper, one that treats the fences like a minor inconvenience rather than a life-altering event.
The “Weight” Factor: Unlike the big race on Saturday, the Topham is often won by horses carrying a bit more class. Don’t be afraid of the top-weights; they are usually there because they are actually good at jumping.
📉 Statistical Truths for the Mid-Week
1. The Cheltenham Hangover: Be wary of horses that had “gut-wrenching” battles at Cheltenham three weeks ago. If they look tired in the paddock, they are tired. Aintree rewards the “Handy & Happy”—horses coming in fresh.
2. The Mullins Factor: As usual, Willie Mullins will likely bring half of Ireland with him. However, the “Aintree Mullins” is different from the “Cheltenham Mullins.” He often uses this meeting to let his second-string stars shine.
3. Flat vs. Hill: Aintree is flat as a pancake. Horses that “stuck on” at Cheltenham often find themselves outpaced here. Look for “speedy” profiles rather than “plodders.”
📅 The Three-Day Lay of the Land
Day 1: Opening Day (Thursday),The day for the serious “heads.” Four Grade 1 races, including the Aintree Bowl. It’s the day we find out which horses were actually tired after Cheltenham and which were just pretending.
Day 2: Ladies Day (Friday), Officially about fashion; unofficially about the Melling Chase. Expect high heels, higher expectations, and the traditional photo of someone eating a burger in a £500 dress.
Day 3: Grand National Day (Saturday), The main event at 4:00 PM. The world stops for about nine minutes, 30 fences, and 4\ 1/4 miles of organized chaos.
📊 The “Golden Goose” Statistics
If you want to sound like an expert at the bar, ignore the horse’s name and focus on the cold, hard numbers. Modern trends have turned the National from a “lottery” into a very specific puzzle.
1. The Sweet Spot (Age & Weight)
Age: 10 of the last 11 winners were aged 7 to 9. The “Old Guard” (11+) has largely been put out to pasture by a faster, classier modern race.
Weight: Look for the “Middleweights.” 9 of the last 11 winners carried between 10st 5lb and 11st 8lb. Carrying 12st over 30 fences is essentially like trying to run a marathon with a small child on your back.
2. The “Hard Race” Fallacy
Conventional wisdom says a horse needs to be “battle-hardened,” but the stats suggest otherwise.
The Campaign: 9 of the last 11 winners had no more than 6 runs that season.
Freshness: You want a horse that is fit but not “cooked.” 9 of the last 11 winners had their last run within 16 to 42 days of the National. If they haven’t run since Christmas, they’ll lack “match fitness”; if they ran a grueling race 10 days ago, their legs will turn to jelly at the Elbow.
3. The Front-Runner vs. The Closer
Front-Runners: Historically, trying to lead the Grand National from start to finish is a suicide mission. However, since the fences were softened in 2013, “prominent” racers (those in the first 6-8) have fared much better.
The Closer: Coming from the very back is a nightmare. With 34 runners, the amount of “traffic” is worse than the M6 on a Bank Holiday. You want a horse that sits handy, close enough to see the lead, but far enough back to let someone else do the wind-breaking.
The final field for the 2026 Grand National (taking place Saturday, April 11) is currently limited to a maximum of 34 runners.
While the “Final Declaration” stage (the 48-hour stage) technically occurs on Thursday, April 9, the list below reflects the confirmed top 34 as of the most recent scratchings. Note that Spillane’s Tower has reportedly been diverted to the Bowl Chase, which has allowed Pied Piper to move into the top 34.
🏗️ The Tale of Two Circuits
Most people think “Aintree” and see the Grand National fences. In reality, the meeting uses two very different tracks for the chase races.
1. The National Course (The Big One)
Circumference: 2 miles, 2 furlongs.
The Shape: Triangular. The apex is at the Canal Turn, which is the furthest point from the stands.
The Run-In: A brutal 494 yards from the final fence to the line, featuring “The Elbow.” This is where dreams, and betting slips, are famously shredded.
The Fences: 16 spruce-covered obstacles (30 jumped in total). Unlike the standard orange-and-white birch fences elsewhere, these are unique to Aintree.
2. The Mildmay Course (The Sharp One)
The Shape: Rectangular and tight.
The Style: This is used for the non-National chase races (like the Bowl and the Melling Chase).
The Key Stat: It favors “handy” types. Because the bends are so sharp, horses that need half a mile to get into top gear (long-striders) struggle. You want a horse that can corner like a Mini Cooper, not a freight train.
🚧 Notorious Obstacles: By the Numbers
If a horse can’t jump, they’re just expensive lawnmowers. Here is what they are facing:
The Chair (Fence 15): The tallest at 5ft 2in. It has a 6ft open ditch on the take-off side and the landing side is actually higher than the take-off. It’s a mental and physical mountain.
Becher’s Brook (Fence 6 & 22): Standing at 4ft 10in, its danger lies in the 10-inch drop on the landing side. Horses don’t expect the floor to disappear.
Canal Turn (Fence 8 & 24): A 5ft fence followed immediately by a sharp 90-degree left turn. Jockeys who try to take the shortest route (jumping it at an angle) are the ones with nerves of steel.
⚠️ The “Cheltenham Factor”
The most important stat for the three-day meeting is the 25-day gap.
Avoid: Horses that had a “hard race” (beaten by less than 2 lengths in a grueling finish) at the Cheltenham Festival.
Target: The “Fresh Blood.” Look for horses that either bypassed Cheltenham entirely or “cruised” to a finish without being emptied. Aintree is a flat, fast track; a horse with “heavy legs” will be left behind when the sprinting starts at the 2-furlong pole.
Expected 2026 Grand National Runners
Jockeys are being confirmed throughout the week; TBC indicates the rider is not yet officially declared for the Saturday race.
2026 Grand National Runners & Jockeys
1. I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins) — Paul Townend
2. Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins) — Patrick Mullins
3. Banbridge (Joseph O’Brien) — JJ Slevin
4. Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins) — Brian Hayes
5. Gerri Colombe (Gordon Elliott) — Jack Kennedy
6. Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis) — Sean Bowen
7. Firefox (Gordon Elliott) — Sam Ewing
8. Monty’s Star (Henry de Bromhead) — Darragh O’Keeffe
9. Spanish Harlem (Willie Mullins) — Danny Mullins
10. Lecky Watson (Willie Mullins) — Sean O’Keeffe
11. Champ Kiely (Willie Mullins) — TBC
12. Iroko (Greenall & Guerriero) — Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
13. Favori De Champdou (Gordon Elliott) — Jordan Gainford
14. Three Card Brag (Gordon Elliott) — TBC
15. Oscars Brother (Connor King) — Daniel King
16. Mr Vango (Sara Bradstock) — Jack Tudor
17. High Class Hero (Willie Mullins) — TBC
18. Stellar Story (Gordon Elliott) — TBC
19. Beauport (Nigel Twiston-Davies) — Sam Twiston-Davies
20. Captain Cody (Willie Mullins) — Harry Cobden
21. Jagwar (Greenall & Guerriero) — Mark Walsh
22. Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell) — Sean Flanagan
23. Gorgeous Tom (Henry de Bromhead) — TBC
24. The Real Whacker (Patrick Neville) — Brian Hughes
25. Quai De Bourbon (Willie Mullins) — TBC
26. Answer To Kayf (Terence O’Brien) — John Shinnick
27. Jordans (Joseph O’Brien) — TBC
28. Final Orders (Gavin Cromwell) — Conor Stone-Walsh
29. Marble Sands (Killahena & McPherson) — Kielan Woods
30. Panic Attack (Dan Skelton) — Harry Skelton
31. Top Of The Bill (Nigel Twiston-Davies) — Toby McCain-Mitchell
32. Johnnywho (Jonjo O’Neill) — Richie McLernon
33. Twig (Ben Pauling) — Beau Morgan
34. Pied Piper (Gordon Elliott) — TBC
Reserves (In Order)
• Imperial Saint (35)
• Amirite (36)
• Ain’t That A Shame (37)
• Yeah Man (38)
I Am Maximus is the current market favorite, looking to reclaim the title he won in 2024. Keep an eye on Jagwar and Iroko, both of whom have seen significant market support since the weights were released.
Note I will keep adding to the blog each morning 🌅
Good morning Day 1 dilemma. Thursday 9th April 2026
13:45 – Boodles Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
Maestro Conti: A popular choice among Timeform analysts (notably Dave Nevison). He traveled exceptionally well in the Triumph Hurdle and is expected to thrive on this flatter track.
Selma De Vary: Highlighted as a strong alternative, specifically because the return of the tongue-tie is expected to see her find more under pressure.
15:30 – Randox Foxhunters’ Chase
Unexpected Party: Currently the “Weight-Adjusted” top-rated horse in the field. After a strong campaign, he is many experts’ Nap of the Day for his experience and class edge in this amateur rider’s contest.
Barton Snow: The primary danger with a perfect recent “1-11111” form string.
16:40 – Red Rum Handicap Chase
Sans Bruit: Trained by Paul Nicholls, this horse is being backed heavily. Timeform notes him as a specialist at this distance who is currently well-handicapped.
Inthepocket: A high-class Grade 1 winner over hurdles who is rated to be much better than his current chase mark of 146 suggests.
Quick Tips for the Day
Going: Good to Soft (mild rain expected).
Trainer to Watch: Dan Skelton has several top-rated runners today, including Maestro Conti and Unexpected Party. Gordon Elliot is also another trainer to watch.
.Jockey to Watch: Harry Cobden has a strong book of rides, particularly Sans Bruit in the Red Rum.
Aintree’s Thursday Thrills: Jango Baie Rules the Bowl While Brighterdaysahead Outshines the Rest
The opening day of the 2026 Aintree Festival certainly didn’t lack for drama, or French-bred dominance, proving that while the Grand National is the main course, the appetizers are plenty meaty.
Between the jumping mishaps and the heavyweights flexing their muscles, it was a day where “class” wasn’t just a category on the racecard, but a statement of intent.
The Stars of the Show
Jango Baie (The Aintree Bowl)
Fresh off a silver medal in the Gold Cup, Jango Baie decided that being the bridesmaid was a 2025 trend. He didn’t just win the Bowl; he practically rearranged the furniture. While he was left “lonely at the top” after Impaire Et Passe took a tumble at the second last, Jango was already traveling like a horse with a dinner reservation he didn’t want to miss. A 16-length victory is less of a “well done” and more of a “rest of the field, please see me in my office.” Nicky Henderson’s star is officially the king of the three-mile stayers this afternoon.
Brighterdaysahead (The Aintree Hurdle)
Living up to a name like that is a lot of pressure, but she made it look like a casual trot in the park. Securing her fifth Grade 1 career success, she confirmed that her Champion Hurdle form was no fluke. She brushed off The New Lion with the kind of clinical efficiency usually reserved for tax audits. Gordon Elliott called her the “apple of his eye,” and after that performance, she’s probably the apple of every punter’s eye, too.
The Grand National updated list:
Prices as of today from At The Races 9 April
Tomorrow at a glance Aintree 10th 2026 top rated horses (will add nap’s tomorrow morning 🌅)
15.30 Melling Chase:
Grey Dawning is a standout choice for many Timeform followers. The drop back in distance is seen as a tactical advantage here. Heart Wood is the main danger and NAP.
16:05 Randox Topham Handicap Chase:
Il Est Francais is the class horse of the race, though Madara (Skelton) and Will The Wise (Cromwell) are noted as having better “handicap value” according to the latest TFR figures.
17:15 Handicap Hurdle:
Captain Ryan Matt and Laafi are the primary focus. Laafi has been highlighted for his jumping ability and high “Timefigure” from his previous run at Kelso.
Good morning 🌅
Gold Dancer (14:20): The RaceiQ “Nap of the Day” on some platforms; noted for jumping “alacrity” and likely to improve over this longer trip.
Zeus Power (16:40): A strong selection in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. He performed exceptionally well in the Baring Bingham and is expected to relish the step up in trip.
Sober Glory (14:55): Highlighted as a horse seeking “compensation” after an unlucky run in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Grand National 2026: Timeform Weight-Adjusted Ratings
The Grand National takes place tomorrow, April 11. Timeform has released their weight-adjusted ratings (TFR), identifying which horses are technically “well-in” based on their handicap marks.
Top 5 Rated Horses:
1. Johnnywho – 184
2. Jagwar – 183
3. Perceval Legallois – 181 (Also tipped as the “Best Outsider”)
4. Final Orders – 180
5. Panic Attack – 180
Hats, Hooves, and Heartbreak: Aintree’s Ladies Day 2026
If you woke up today in Liverpool and didn’t see a fascinator larger than a satellite dish, you were probably in the wrong city. Ladies Day at Aintree has once again proven that while the horses do the running, the spectators do the heavy lifting, mostly in terms of balancing four-inch heels on damp grass and keeping prosecco upright in a gale.
While the Style Awards saw Hannah Smith from Edinburgh take the “Best Dressed” crown (honorable mention to the thousands of others who braved the Merseyside breeze in little more than silk and hope), there was actually some racing going on between the selfies.
While individual pundits vary, Grangeclare West is the standout “Nap” profile for 2026.
Why: He followed the “Mullins Blueprint” by winning the Bobbyjo Chase convincingly. Historically, winners of that race (like I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett) go on to massive runs at Aintree. Timeform notes he would have likely won last year if not for a blunder at the final fence.
The “Where Did That Come From?” Award
Goes to Storming George. At 16/1, he didn’t just win the Top Novices’ Hurdle; he effectively paid for a lot of expensive dinners in Liverpool tonight. If you backed him, congratulations on your new-found genius. If you didn’t, don’t worry, there’s always the 20-1 shot in the last race.
The Irish Invasion
It wouldn’t be Aintree without a bit of Irish magic to dampen the local spirits (in the friendliest way possible). Laafi (20/1) snagged the finale, leaving 88-year-old trainer William Durkan in tears and the rest of the field wondering where the top-weight found those extra gears. Hope my readers were on!
The Fashion Police Report
The real winner of the day was baby pink, which was the trending color of 2026. It matched perfectly with the slightly sun-blushed (read: wind-chilled) faces of the crowd.
Looking Ahead to the Big One
With the spruce fences well-warmed and the “Topham” successfully navigated, all eyes now turn to Saturday. The Grand National looms, and after today’s mix of favorites and long-shot legends, anyone who claims they “definitely” know the winner is either a time traveler or has had one too many gins in the Queen Mother Stand.
Aintree: Tomorrow (Saturday, April 11, 2026) Note will add more tomorrow morning. 🌅
Tomorrow is the final day of the Grand National Festival. Based on the latest Timeform “Weight-Adjusted” ratings, here are the ones to watch:
Key Races & Top Rated
12:45 Maghull Novices’ Chase (G1): Salvator Mundi (Top Rated) – Expected to be the class of the field after a dominant win at Thurles.
13:55 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (G1): Bossman Jack , Highly regarded by Timeform after a strong seasonal progression.
15:05 Liverpool Hurdle (G1): Honesty Policy – Rated 154p, showing significant potential to take down established stars like Strong Leader.
16:00 The Randox Grand National: * While weights level the field, I Am Maximus (Timeform 168) and Banbridge are among the highest-rated “raw” talents in the lineup. Note will add The Grand National Selections
Tomorrow morning 🌅
Firefox (16:00 Aintree): Highlighted by Timeform handicapper Phil Turner as an “overpriced outsider” for the National. He is guaranteed a run and bred to stay this extreme trip. So will Gerri Colombe, Lecky Watson who is a Group 1 horse 🐴. And for a nice story as Brian Hayes is expecting his first child Spanish Harlem.
Good morning 🌅 Saturday the day of the big one. Don’t forget to subscribe below .
The Day’s Best (Nap): Salvator Mundi (12:45) Kala Conti is the main threat Elliot had a great day one double so a trainer to watch.
Timeform identifies him as a standout in the Maghull Novices’ Chase. Despite a light campaign, his peak figures make him the one to beat in the opener.
Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (13:55): Bossman Jack Timeform’s verdict is for the Dan Skelton runner to resume winning ways after a strong showing at Cheltenham. Ballyfad (Gordon Elliott) is noted as the primary danger.
Liverpool Hurdle (15:05): Air Of Entitlement A strong tip for the Henry de Bromhead yard, preferred over stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake for those looking for an alternative to the market leaders.
Handicap Pick: Bad (14:30) Noted as an “each-way steal” at 28/1. Timeform analysts suggest the step up to 3m1f with cheekpieces applied makes him a major player in the William Hill Handicap Chase. Brave Fortune and Chance Another One, early money 💰.
Summary of Timeform’s 1-2-3 for the National
1. Johnnywho (Top Rated)
2. Jagwar
3. I am Maximus
I am still reading the racing post. I will add more about The Grand National . 🔜
Here we go.
Grangeclare West
Gerri Colombe
Favori De Champdou
Stellar Story
Jagwar
Johnnywho
Don’t forget to add your thoughts in the comments below. Who do you think will win the Grand National 2026?
18+ only. Betting involves risk and losses are inevitable. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose and do not view betting as a way to make money. If gambling stops being enjoyable or becomes a concern, seek help
Silks and Shenanigans 