Grand National Runners 2026

2026 Grand National Latest News

We will be adding any significant news articles in the run-up to the Grand National here:

Numbers significantly down at first entry stage for the 2026 Grand National

Seventy-eight horses have been entered for this season's Grand National at the initial entry stage. That figure is down from ninety last year and ninety-four in 2024.

Willie Mullins, who has trained the Grand National winner in each of the last two years, has entered fifteen horses at the initial stage, including both those winners, Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus.

Tiger Roll's trainer, Gordon Elliott, has entered twelve horses, including former Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up, Gerri Colombe.

72-Hour declarations introduced for Grand National

Aintree racecourse announced in January that the Grand National would be moving to a 72-hour declaration system meaning that the final declaration stage for 2026 will be on Wednesday 8th of April.

This adjustment gives trainers, owners, and the public more time to assess the horses’ fitness, and it allows for better preparation in terms of logistics, particularly for horses that may need to travel long distances to Aintree. 

This change brings the Grand National in line with other major races around the world such as the Derby and the Melbourne Cup.

How is the final list of Grand National runners decided?

Runners for the 2026 Grand National will be confirmed nearer the date of the actual race.

Grand National Guide will of course keep you updated at every step, we will have the runners updated here as soon as possible after each stage. So the final list of grand national runners is decided based on 

• Entries (Close start of February)
• Weights (Revealed mid February)
• Declarations (End of Feb, mid March & Grand National week)
• Non runners 
• Final Confirmation (72-hour) - Wednesday 8th April

Grand National Entries

Each year there are normally over a hundred initial Grand National entries which are whittled down to the final 34 runners on race day. 

The race is open to horses aged 7 and older with a handicap of 120 or higher. All entries must also have finished in the first four in a chase of 3 miles or longer. Here are the stats for this year's entries:

• 78 Initial entries in February 2026 (twelve less than 2025)
• 49 Irish initial entries (up by one from 2025)
• 12 Initial entries trained by Gordon Elliott (four less than last year)
• 15 Initial entries trained by Willie Mullins (five more than last year)
• 2 Previous Winners Entered - I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025)
• 7 Greys ran in 2025 - Coko Beach, Duffle Coat, Fil Dor, Hyland, Intense Raffles, Kandoo Kid and Vanillier

Grand National Weights

During February each year these entries are then allotted running weights for the Grand National. These are based on ratings which the official handicapper gives each of the horses entered. 

Each horse already has an official rating for use in handicaps but the official handicapper will adjust this where they think necessary to produce a rating just for the Grand National. 

Typically the handicapper will reduce the rating of the very top runners to compress the handicap, which means they try to narrow the weight differences between the runners. 

Because the Grand National is run over such a long distance, longer than other races during the season, each pound of weight theoretically has more impact. This is part the reason why the horses at the top of the handicap often run off ratings lower than their normal weights. 

Also this is an opportunity for the handicapper to have a specific opinion on each of the runners to try to make the race a true handicap - the theory being that each horse should carry the same chance once the weight is taken into account. 

Grand National Declarations

The initial entry date is at the end of January and then there are further stages through to the final week when runners need to be confirmed at declaration stages which are sometimes called forfeit stages. At each stage a runner's connections may need to pay a further entry fee to confirm their runner.

Once the final Grand National declarations have been made we will have the confirmed runners and riders listed here. Use this list of Grand National horses to pick your bet for the 2026 Grand National.

Grand National Non Runners

The last declaration stage takes place at 10am on the Wednesday before the race at which point the top 34 runners in the weights are left in. Six reserves willbe declared at this point as well. Reserves can be added up to 1pm the day before the race should any of the original thirty-four runners be unable to take up their place.

If horses withdraw and become non runners after this point then the field will start with less than 34 runners. We will be updating this list of grand national horses regularly in the run up to the race so that we keep on top of the likely runners during the year and then from the Friday before the race we will confirm the final list of runners.

Horses become non runners for a number of reasons. Some horses prefer certain ground conditions and if these aren't in place the horse's connections may decide not to run their horse. 

Horses may have injuries or illnesses of course or connections may not have been able to get them to the required fitness in time. Some horses are entered in a number of races and the choice of where they will run is made at a later date. 

Confirmed Grand National Runners

The maximum grand national field is 34 runners and riders and the full number of horses are likely to start the 2026 Grand National unless there are any late withdrawals. 

• Most Grand National Runners - 66 in 1929 
• Least Grand National Runners - 10 in 1883 
• Number of Runners in 2025 - 34
• Fastest Winning Runner - Mr Frisk (1990) 8m 47.8s
• Slowest Winning Runner - Lottery (1839) 14m 53s

More information about The Grand National Horses

We will include the runners' name, number (from 8th April), age, weight, along with a brief description of the horses chances on this page. By each of the grand national horses you will also see a star rating, their latest odds and the bookmaker to place your bet with. Click the link, See Offer to open your account with an online bookmaker and place your grand national bet. No need to join the long queue at the betting shop these days, your grand national horses can be backed quickly and easily with a reputable online bookmaker by clicking on the links on this page.

There are various way to make your selection for the Grand National 2026 and we have tried to help you with your Grand National bets by providing content that can assist you if you are not sure which horse you want to bet on. We have provided a variety of different content to allow you to make your selection based on form and Grand National trends or if you want to follow our experts then we have four selections for you to choose from on our Grand National Tips page.

Grand National Runners and Riders - Further Analysis

For the Grand National 2026 we have undertaken detailed analysis to look at the records of Grand National Trainers and Grand National Jockeys. Our Grand National statistical research will help you if you want to select your Grand National bet by using the trainers and jockeys that have excellent previous records in the race and have supplied Grand National winners or placed horses. 

Alternatively, you might want to focus on the most successful Grand National jockeys such as Paul Townend or Derek Fox who have both recently won the Grand National. See these pages for more information.

• Grand National Trainers
• Grand National Jockeys 

Help Choosing a Grand National Runner from the List

As well as picking your Grand National Horse from this list of runners, with brief information, we have a number of other fun ways you can select your Grand National bets. Some like to look down our list of runners and choose based on this information alone. Others take a lucky dip to pick a horse completely at random. You can also select your Grand National runner by picking your horse by the colours that the jockey will wear in the Grand National 2026 or the area of the country they are trained in or even the star sign the horse was born under! Head over to our Lucky Dip/Pinstickers section of the site to select your runner by 

• Lucky Dip
• Star Sign 
• Colour 
• Where they live 

If you want to use a bit more skill in determining your grand national horses, then we have some really detailed tools that go into in depth analysis. Our Winner Predictor tool has an excellent record of picking the winner. It uses an algorithm that analyses many form factors and characteristics of each of the runners to produce a rating for each national horse. Check this out if you want to narrow down the field of runners to a smaller more manageable list to choose from. Our form tool does a similar thing but this is based on the criteria you think are important. Start with 34 runners and then enter factors which you look for such as if the runner has won over a certain distance or has a certain jumping record. As you enter your criteria, your list of grand national runners starts to decrease. Check out these useful grand national runner analysis tools 

• Grand National Winner Predictor 
• Grand National Form Tool 

If you would rather follow advice for the race then check out 2026 Grand National tips page or see all todays racing tips on our recommended site OLBG who have some excellent horse racing tips.

Female Grand National Runners & Riders

Many people like to place a bet on a female Jockey or a female horse (Mare).  

In 2025 no mares ran in the race.

Lady jockeys likely to ride in the Grand National this year are:

• Bryony Frost

Here are some interesting stats and facts about female grand national runners; 

• Winning Grand National Mares - 13 
• Last winning Grand National Mare - Nickle Coin (1951)
• Last placed Grand National Mare - Magic of Light (2019)
• Best Lady Jockey Position - Rachael Blackmore WON in 2021
• Lady Jockey & Trainer - Venetia Williams rode in 1988 and trained the winner in 2009

Venetia Williams fell from 200/1 chance Marcolo as a jockey and went on to win as a trainer with 100/1 shot Mon Mome in 2009 and is the only lady to ride and train a grand national runner.