Three days of the Grand National 2026 are packed with exciting races and hard battles on the tracks. The third and the last day culminates in what is universally recognised as the most famous steeplechase not only in Britain but around the world, the Grand National main race that gave the name to the entire event.
With a reputation like this, no wonder it is considered the highlight of the entire National Hunt season at the Aintree Racecourse where it is run. While the current format of the race allows 34 runners, this year there have been 49 runners declared to participate in the race so far.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the race card and the full list of Grand National Main race runners, answer the question “When is the Grand National main race?”, as well as review other key information about the Grand National.
Grand National Main Race Overview
The Grand National is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase that accepts both male and female horses aged seven years or older. It is run over a distance of about 4 miles 2 1/2 furlongs (4 miles 550 yards; 7 kilometres) and includes 30 fences to be jumped. It is the central event of the entire Grand National Festival.
- Date: Saturday, 11 April 2026
- Start time: 4:00 pm
- Location: Aintree Racecourse, Aintree, Merseyside
- Max runners: 34 horses
- Prize purse: £1,000,000
Grand National Main Race 2026 Runners List
The initial Grand National main race runners are announced as early as several weeks in advance. However, as the event draws closer, the list is modified based on various criteria and the trainers’ decisions.
While the maximum allowed number of participants is 34, this year the Grand National runners list started out with over 70 candidates to run in the race. Currently, there are 49 runners, but this list will be again modified before the morning of the race.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- I Am Maximus (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Nick Rockett (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Banbridge (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Grangeclare West (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Gerri Colombe (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Haiti Couleurs (age 9, jockey Sean Bowen, trainer Rebecca Curtis)
- Spillane’s Tower (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Joseph Mangan)
- Firefox (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Monty’s Star (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
- Spanish Harlem (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Lecky Watson (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Champ Kiely (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Iroko (age 8, jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr, trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
- Favori De Champdou (age 11, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Three Card Brag (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Oscars Brother (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Connor King)
- Mr Vango (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sara Bradstock)
- High Class Hero (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Stellar Story (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Beauport (age 10, jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Captain Cody (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Jagwar (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
- Perceval Legallois (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
- Gorgeous Tom (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
- The Real Whacker (age 10, jockey Gavin Sheehan, trainer Patrick Neville)
- Quai De Bourbon (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Answer To Kayf (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Terence O’Brien)
- Jordans (age 7, jockey Ben Jones, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Final Orders (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
- Marble Sands (age 10, jockey Kielan Woods, trainer David Killahena & Graeme McPherson)
- Panic Attack (age 10, jockey Harry Skelton, trainer Dan Skelton)
- Top Of The Bill (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
- Johnnywho (age 9, jockey Richie McLernon, trainer Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
- Twig (age 11, jockey Beau Morgan, trainer Ben Pauling)
- Pied Piper (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- Imperial Saint (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)
- Amirite (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
- Ain’t That A Shame (age 12, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tom Ellis)
- Yeah Man (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gavin Cromwell)
- Soul Icon (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Hyland (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nicky Henderson)
- Deep Cave (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Christian Williams)
- Buddy One (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paul John Gilligan)
- Anyway (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer David Kenneth Budds)
- The Short Go (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
- Weveallbeencaught (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Eric McNamara)
- Shanbally Kid (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willi Mullins)
- Will Do (age 9, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Gordon Elliott)
- In d’Or (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Fergal O’Brien)
Grand National Main Race Racecard
- Going: Mildmay Course Hurdle: good to soft (good in places), Chase: good to soft (good in places); National Course Chase: good to soft (good in places)
- Start time: 4:00 pm
- Distance: about 4 miles 2 1/2 furlongs (4 miles 550 yards; 7 kilometres)
- Course: 30 fences
- Horses: both genders seven years or older
- Number of runners: currently 49 runners
The Grand National main race racecard provides horse racing viewers and bettors with all the necessary information that will help them follow the action on the track and make informed decisions if they choose to place a wager on any of the betting markets for the race.
Besides the schedule and list of runners, this information includes the ground condition, age and weight of each horse, their physical form and past performances, as well as the names of the jockeys and trainers alongside other information.
Key Runners to Watch in the Grand National Main Race
Traditionally, Grand National main race horses represent some of the best contemporary runners. Among this year’s many notable contenders the following stand out for their form and past wins and are seen as strong favourites:
I Am Maximus
- Sex: bay gelding
- Age: 10 (foaled on 27 March, 2016)
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Grand National experience: 2024 winner, 2nd in 2025
- Recent performance: 2nd in Savills Chase (December 2025), 5th in Irish Gold Cup (February 2026)
Iroko
- Sex: bay gelding
- Age: 8 (foaled 20 March, 2018)
- Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Grand National experience: 4th in 2025
- Recent performance: 1st in Howden Graduation Chase (December 2025), 10th in Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (March 2026)
Grangeclare West
- Sex: bay gelding
- Age: 10 (foaled 1 May, 2016)
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Grand National experience: 3rd in 2025
- Recent performance: 8th in Irish Gold Cup (February 2026), 1st in BAR 1 Betting Bobbyjo Chase (February 2026)
Jagwar
- Sex: bay gelding
- Age: 7 (foaled 22 February, 2019)
- Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Grand National experience: none
- Recent performance: 2nd in Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (January 2026), 2nd in Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (March 2026)
Nick Rockett
- Sex: bay gelding
- Age: 9 (foaled 18 May, 2017)
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Grand National experience: 2025 winner
- Recent performance: 1st in Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (April 2025), 3rd in Bluegrass Racehorse Cube Chase (March 2026)
Haiti Couleurs
- Sex: bay gelding
- Age: 9 (foaled 30 April, 2017)
- Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
- Grand National experience: none
- Recent performance: 1st in William Hill Denman Chase (February 2026), PU in Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (March 2026)
Grand National Main Race Odds & Market Overview
All major bookmaking platforms that include horse racing in their menu will offer odds on the Grand National runners. For each horse, the odds represent its perceived chance to win the race. This is based on a lot of factors, including their recent performances, current form, and experience.
Often, the acclaimed favourites tend to attract the most attention from bettors, however it is good to keep in mind that historically outsiders tend to show great results in the Grand National.
Odds for the Grand National contenders start to emerge even before the announcements for the runners are made. Once the initial declarations are public, the odds become more solidified. However, you should remember that horse racing odds tend to fluctuate a lot and will be changing up until the morning of the race.
Most common factors influencing the odds are:
- A horse’s performance: outcomes of the races preceding the Grand National will affect its odds.
- Withdrawals: while the initial list of runners is always rather large, it will get reduced closer to the start of the race. Any non-runner withdrawn from the race will affect the odds of those remaining in the race.
- Market activity: bookmakers also pay attention to how the general public tends to bet on horse races. If there is an excessive amount placed on one horse, it may affect its odds.
How to Bet on the Grand National Main Race
As an event that has rightfully claimed the title of “the ultimate test of horse and rider”, the Grand National main race attracts a lot of attention from horse racing enthusiasts, horse race bettors, and bookmaking platforms.
Betting on Grand National follows all the main rules and steps of sports betting. Below you will find the main aspects of betting on the main race of the world’s most famous National Hunt event.
- Choose a betting site. There are several things you should pay attention to when choosing a bookmaker. First of all, make sure they are licensed by a recognised regulatory authority. Then, compare the odds they are offering on the betting markets you are interested in and choose the one that brings you the best value.
- Select your horse. This step requires careful study of the declared runners. Check their current physical form, recent performance, any major wins they have had, as well as past participation in Grand National.
- Choose your bet. Depending on your betting style, the declared runners, the horse you decide to back, and the offered odds, select if you want to bet on the win market, place market, each way, forecast, tricast, or any other market offered by the bookmaking platform.
- Place your bet. Once you are done, choose your stake and add the bet to your bet slip.
When making a decision on betting, many punters use sources available online to analyse race cards and Grand National race trends and follow expert tips.
FAQ – Grand National Main Race
When is the Grand National main race in 2026?
The main race of the Grand National Festival 2026 will take place on the third and last day of the event, Saturday, 11 April. As to the Grand National main race time, it is scheduled to start at 4:00 pm.
How many runners are in the Grand National main race?
The Grand National main race allows a maximum of 34 runners at the start. The current number of runners is 49.
Where can I see the full runners list?
A full list of runners is issued once the initial announcements have been made. It is later modified according to the non-runner declarations. You can find a full list of runners on most major bookmaking platforms. Check out this article above for a full list for the Grand National 2026.
What distance is the Grand National main race?
The Grand National main race is about 4 miles 2 1/2 furlongs (4 miles 550 yards; 7 kilometres). Due to its distance and size of the 30 fences participants have to jump, it is often referred to as “the ultimate test of horse and rider”.
Betting is only available to participants aged 18 years and over. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org