Aintree Grand National Day 2026: Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

Name of Race and Festival Prediction

Willie Mullins landed a 1-2-3 in the 2025 race, with Nick Rockett, ridden by his son Patrick Mullins, landing the big prize. 2024 winner I am Maximus, the current favourite with many of the top irish online betting sites is also set to feature at Aintree, as is the horse that came 3rd last year, Grangeclare West.

It is this horse, Grangeclare West, that is our Grand National prediction for 2026.

Grangeclare West has had a solid 2026, winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, a race that has given us the winner of the last 2 renewals of the Grand National in Nick Rockett and I am Maximus. He has some modern Grand National trends to overcome to win the race, but he certainly has the class and form to do so.

No horse 10 or older has won the race since Pineau de Re in 2014, while over the last 10 renewals the winner has carried a weight no heavier than 11-09. Grangeclare West will carry 11-10 in this year’s race, but based on his performance last year when he finished 3rd carrying 11-08, we think he has the class to buck the trend.

He fits the profile of a potential winner in that he has form over 3 miles, having won the Bobbyjo as well as finishing 3rd in this race last year, while in the last 8 renewals, 6 have been priced between odds of 5.00 and 15.00. Grangeclare West is currently priced at odds of around 11.00.

His run in the race last year cannot be forgotten, where he was beaten by just 3 lengths despite a last-fence blunder, and if he can avoid any mishaps like that, he should go very close once more.

Name of Race and Festival Betting Preview

As the big race looms ever closer, we thought we might take a look at some of the other major contenders for the race on April 11th apart from our own Grand National prediction. As ever, when it comes to horse race betting be sure to bet responsibly. With that in mind, why not check out our online bookmakers reviews page where lots of information about any of the bookmakers listed can be found?

Johnnywho/Jonjo and AJ O’Neill

As things stand, the Ultima Chase winner at this year’s Cheltenham festival would need two horses to withdraw from the race to get in. If he does get in, however, be sure to keep an eye out for this Jonjo O’Neill-trained runner before the big race. He is currently trading at a goto BoyleSports [price of 17.00 with Boylesports]. He is one of 4 fancied runners for JP McManus along with I Am Maximus, Jagwar and Oscar’s Brother, but if he gets in Johnnywho may be able to be the best of them on what would be his first attempt at the Grand National. He had held an entry to the Irish Grand National on April 6th, but that was subsequently scratched, with connections all hoping their road leads to Aintree.

15.00 at DirectionBet

17.00 at Boylesports

Jagwar/Mark Walsh

JJagwar is trained by the training duo of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero and qualified for a tilt at this year’s Grand National by finishing half a length behind Johnnywho in the Ultima at Cheltenham. He has been backed since then and is even vying for favouritism at the moment with I am Maximus. He could be well handicapped given his exploits and form, but like so many first-timers over the national track, it is somewhat of a step into the unknown with the horse. One plus for the horse is the fact that Mark Walsh, the retained jockey for the owner JP McManus, has opted to ride the horse in what will be his final Grand National as McManus’ retained rider.

9.00 at DirectionBet

11.00 at Boylesports

Monty’s Star

Henry de Bromhead knows exactly how to set a horse up for Aintree, having won the race in 2021 with Minella Times. He could start 3 in this year’s renewal with Monty’s Star looking like the stable's first choice. Monty’s Star was fancied by some for this race for some time in 2025 before rerouting to Punchestown after his run in the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He has subsequently failed to land at the top level but has looked like he has been crying out for a real test of stamina, which he will get at Aintree with the Grand National appearing to be the main focus for this season. Monty’s Star could be another bit of shrewd training by de Bromhead, so it may be a decent choice for those of you looking to use any free bets you may get ahead of the race.

17.00 at DirectionBet

17.00 at Boylesports

Name of Race and Festival Winners

To give you as much information as possible before having a bet on this year’s race below, we have listed the last 8 winners of the race. This includes the winning jockey, trainer and the odds the horse won at, so you can see what trainers and jockeys have a good recent record around the mammoth race.