Photo Healy RacingThe Grand National staged at Aintree Racecourse is not only a unique and stunning spectacle but one of the biggest betting races of the year.
It is easy to get lost in the form and the wealth of information available on each of the 34 runners but fear not, we are here to present you with Grand National tips and trends as we assist you in finding this year’s winner and those contenders representing excellent each-way value.
The biggest race in the National Hunt calendar takes place in Aintree on Saturday, 8 April, and I think the trophy will go back to Ireland once again. Last year, it was Nick Rockett and Patrick Mullins who took home the glory, but I feel this week they’ll have to play second fiddle to last year’s second, I Am Maximus, who is looking to win his second Grand National for owner J. P. McManus and trainer Willie Mullins.
To say I have been surprisingly impressed with the 2024 winner this season would be an understatement. He always struck me as a horse who improved with a bit of sun on his back, and this was not the case at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, where he looked likely to spring a huge surprise in the Savills Chase when finishing second to Affordale Fury. This run makes me believe that mentally he is in such a brilliant place, and with the class of the race improving each year for the Grand National, he is the one for me.
I don’t know if we will see a famous underdog story take place again, as the race has seen such an improved standard over the last few years, and you genuinely need a horse nowadays that could compete in the Gold Cup to run in the Grand National. He carried a similar weight in the race last year, and the part that I’m hoping improves from his run last year is that I didn’t feel he got a good position early. Paul Townend seemed to have to work a bit harder through the middle of the race than he would’ve wanted to, and I’d say it was a case that he had already run his race before they got to the elbow. So when he came upsides Nick Rockett, the petrol tank said empty.
It will be very interesting to see if Paul Townend will elect to ride I Am Maximus or Grangeclare West, but I believe the five-time Gold Cup-winning jockey will choose the 2024 hero. If he does, and if the race unfolds a little more kindly this time, I think I Am Maximus has every chance of going one better and securing another famous victory at Aintree.
The Grand National trends serve as an excellent guide for the big race, often revealing the winning horses and those that place. Approaching the race from this perspective can be highly beneficial, especially when considering the insights and tips provided by our editor and racing expert, Vincent Finegan, who has been consistently identifying winners lately.
Once you've pinpointed your potential winner, remember to claim your free bets. There's no better way to utilise credited free bets than on your Grand National selections. Additionally, you can find extra places offered by select bookmakers to enhance your potential returns on this iconic race.
Find below your 2026 Grand National trends as a starting point to finding the next Grand National hero.
If you are looking for more pointers for finding this year's Grand National winner, follow the advice below:
Horses are prepared especially for the Grand National and spend the season running in races to get them spot on for the race. Look at their previous races and how often they have run this season.
It should be noted that many Grand National horses will run over hurdles at the start of the season before taking on fences. Six of the last 14 winners of the race ran at the Cheltenham Festival although it is worth considering if the horse had a hard race at Prestbury Park.
Also consider if this has been the plan all season, these horses are often better prepared for the race than those for which it has been an afterthought.
The Aintree Grand National fences are unique in nature - much bigger and wider than standard ‘chase’ fences. Some horses particularly enjoy the Aintree fences while some may find them challenging and not take to them at all. Horses that have fallen or unseated their rider three or more times do not tend to have a good record in the race.
A bold and accurate-jumping horse is a must for the Grand National and it is an even bigger advantage if the horse has previous form over these imposing obstacles, most notably in the Grand National itself. Amberleigh House returned victorious in 2004 Grand National and had run over these obstacles six times prior to his win in the Topham Chase, Becher Chase and the in the Grand National itself.
The Grand National is a handicap race which means the better horses in the race must carry more weight then than the less talented horses. This system is designed to make it a fair contest.
Those carrying more weight may find it too much over the long distance so it may be worth looking further down the weights to find a horse who might not be hindered by too much weight.
The Grand National weights are released in February each year. If you want to be really shrewd try and find horses which may have run since the weights were revealed and may be ‘ahead of the handicapper’.
Stamina is one of the key attributes of a Grand National winner, just like a long distance cross country runner. Ten of the last twelve winners of the race had at least seven runs over three miles.
This may seem obvious but there are high-class horses who may not have tackled long distances which means their ability to stay the trip is an unknown. Find horses in the race which have run over long distances as you can be safe in the knowledge the trip will not be an issue.
Certain trainers target the Grand National with a certain type of horse. For example, Martin Brassil won the race with Numbersixvalverde in 2006 and boasts an outstanding record with this type of horse - all of his Grand National contenders have completed the course. Ted Walsh, Lucinda Russell, Henry de Bromhead and Tom George also have a superb record in the race when it comes to completing the course.
January 2024 Ain t That A Shame winning trainer Henry de Bromhead with mom Sally and Rachael BlackmorePhoto Healy RacingLikewise, certain jockeys ride this course better than others. The dependable Sam Waley-Cohen who won last year aboard Noble Yeats was always one to watch, however he has retired, so instead look out for Patrick Mullins, Ryan Mania and Rachael Blackmore who ride the course well.
Two-thirds of horses priced at 8-1 or shorter have completed the course although favourites do not have a good record in the race. Last year’s winner I Am Maximus was one of those, however Noble Yeats, triumphed at 50-1 in 2022 and there was a staggering 100-1 winner of the race in 2009 - Mon Mome. Only three favourites have won the Grand National in the past 13 years.
Betting on the Grand National is a major part of the interest around the event and attempting to unearth the winner or an each-way bet at a big price - is what it is all about. 34 horses lining up means excellent value is on offer.
Find the latest odds for the Grand National 2026 before you place your bet from all the best bookies below:
4.004m. 2f. 74yds. 34 Declared.Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £1,000,000.00 7-y-o plus
1st - €500,000.00 2nd - €200,000.00 3rd - €100,000.00 4th - €65,000.00 5th - €40,000.00 6th - €30,000.00 7th - €20,000.00 8th - €15,000.00 9th - €10,000.00 10th - €5,000.00 Going - Good to Soft.
Formscan - GRANGECLARE WEST may well have challenged for victory 12 months ago had he not made a bad mistake at the final fence before staying on strongly from the Elbow to finish third. Following the same route of all three of Willie Mullins' Aintree heroes, having landed the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse last time, he has a strong chance of going two places better. 2024 winner I Am Maximus split him and the now-absent Nick Rockett when attempting to defend his crown and arrives having shown high-class form when runner-up in the Savills at Leopardstown in December. Cheekpieces go back on to aid his cause but he may need softer ground to be truly at his best. Iroko's lack of experience may have told when fourth 12 months ago and he had a valid excuse for underperforming when scoping dirty after the Ultima at Cheltenham, where the same owner's Johnnywho got the better of Jagwar. The latter is a particularly interesting runner and is equipped with first-time cheekpieces, but his tendency to clout the odd fence could hamper his claims. Panic Attack already has two major handicap successes to her name this campaign with the Paddy Power/Coral Gold Cup double and she has to be respected along with Monty's Star, who ran with plenty of promise in the Irish Gold Cup, Haiti Couleurs and Captain Cody.
Once you have pinpointed your Grand National fancies, make sure you don't miss out on Grand National free bet offers to ensure you are maximising your potential profit.
