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The Grand National is the most famous horse race on the planet, and it returns to Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 11 April 2026. For Australian punters, the race goes off at 1:00am AEST on Sunday 12 April.
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The Grand National is the most famous horse race on the planet. The 2026 edition took place at Aintree on Saturday 11 April, with I Am Maximus making history as the first horse since Red Rum to regain the title at odds of 9/2. Our top tip Iroko ran a huge race to finish 2nd at 18/1. Read our full Grand National 2026 results for the complete finishing order, race recap and how all our tips performed. With 49 declared runners battling for a maximum of 40 places in the final field, the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase promises its usual mix of drama, heartbreak and glory over four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs. For Australian punters, the race went off at 1:00am AEST on Sunday 12 April. For more horse racing tips and betting guides, we have you covered.
Grand National 2026 — Race Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Race | Randox Grand National Handicap Chase |
| Date | Saturday 11 April 2026 (UK) |
| Time (BST) | 4:00pm BST |
| Time (AEST) | 1:00am AEST, Sunday 12 April |
| Venue | Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool |
| Distance | 4 miles 2½ furlongs (~7,554 yards) |
| Going | Good to Soft, Good in places |
| Prize Money | ~£1 million |
| Runners | 49 declared (max 40 will line up) |
| Fences | 30 over two laps (inc. Becher’s Brook, The Chair, Canal Turn) |
The History of the Grand National
First run at Aintree in 1839, the Grand National has grown into the most famous horse race on earth, watched by an estimated 500–600 million people across more than 140 countries. What sets it apart is the course itself: a marathon four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs over 30 unique fences jumped across two laps, including the fearsome Becher’s Brook, the sharp 90-degree Canal Turn and The Chair, the biggest obstacle in the race. Up to 40 runners line up off a handicap, so weight, stamina, jumping and a slice of luck all collide — which is exactly why outsiders such as Noble Yeats (50/1 in 2022) can win and why the race is so beloved by once-a-year punters.
No horse looms larger in its folklore than Red Rum, who won three Nationals (1973, 1974 and 1977) and finished second twice — a record that stood alone until I Am Maximus regained the title in 2026. In recent years the fences and start have been modified to improve safety, but the test remains the ultimate examination of the staying chaser.
Grand National — Recent Winners
The last six runnings show how unpredictable the race can be, from Rachael Blackmore’s history-making 2021 victory to Willie Mullins’ recent dominance:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | I Am Maximus | Paul Townend | W P Mullins | 9/2 |
| 2025 | Nick Rockett | Patrick Mullins | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| 2024 | I Am Maximus | Paul Townend | W P Mullins | 7/1 |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | 8/1 |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | Sam Waley-Cohen | Emmet Mullins | 50/1 |
| 2021 | Minella Times | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead | 11/1 |
Rachael Blackmore became the first woman to ride the Grand National winner in 2021, while Willie Mullins has owned the race since — training the winner in 2024 (I Am Maximus), 2025 (Nick Rockett) and 2026 (I Am Maximus again). I Am Maximus’s 2026 victory made him the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to regain the title.
Aintree Grand National Festival Schedule (AEST)
The Grand National Festival runs across two days at Aintree with 14 races in total, including four Grade 1s and the big race itself on Saturday evening (Sunday morning for Australian punters). Here is the full schedule converted to AEST.
| AEST | BST | Race | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Friday 10 April (Friday night / Saturday morning AEST) | |||
| Fri 22:45 | 13:45 | William Hill Handicap Hurdle | Premier |
| Fri 23:20 | 14:20 | Mildmay Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 |
| Fri 23:55 | 14:55 | Top Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| Sat 00:30 | 15:30 | JCB Melling Chase | Grade 1 |
| Sat 01:05 | 16:05 | Randox Topham Handicap Chase | Premier |
| Sat 01:40 | 16:40 | Sefton Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| Sat 02:15 | 17:15 | Handicap Hurdle | — |
| Day 2 — Saturday 11 April (Saturday night / Sunday morning AEST) | |||
| Sat 21:45 | 12:45 | Maghull Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 |
| Sat 22:20 | 13:20 | William Hill Handicap Hurdle | Premier |
| Sat 22:55 | 13:55 | Mersey Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| Sat 23:30 | 14:30 | Freebooter Handicap Chase | Premier |
| Sun 00:05 | 15:05 | Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle | Grade 1 |
| Sun 01:00 | 16:00 | RANDOX GRAND NATIONAL | Premier |
| Sun 02:00 | 17:00 | NHF Flat Race | Grade 2 |
Grand National 2026 Runners and Odds
The 2026 Grand National attracted a stellar field headlined by the eventual winner I Am Maximus, who carried top weight of 11-10 for Willie Mullins and went on to regain the title. Mullins saddled an unprecedented nine runners and, having already broken his National duck with I Am Maximus in 2024 and Nick Rockett in 2025, the champion trainer landed it again in 2026. The declared field and weights are shown below — for the complete finishing order see our Grand National 2026 results.
The two highest-rated runners in the field are Jagwar (rated 180) and Final Orders (rated 180), both carrying significantly less weight than the top of the handicap. That kind of handicap advantage makes them serious players. Favori De Champdou holds the highest official rating at 178 and has won his last two starts for Gordon Elliott.
The declared weights, ratings and form are outlined below.
| Cloth | Horse | Age | Weight | Trainer | Rating | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Maximus | 10 | 11-10 | W P Mullins | 174 | 82-925 |
| 2 | Nick Rockett | – | 11-9 | W P Mullins | 172 | 4111-3 |
| 3 | Banbridge | – | 11-9 | Joseph O’Brien | 175 | – |
| 4 | Grangeclare West | – | 11-8 | W P Mullins | 173 | 5-8481 |
| 5 | Gerri Colombe | – | 11-8 | Gordon Elliott | 165 | 3-P321 |
| 7 | Spillane’s Tower | – | 11-6 | James Mangan | 170 | 5-2931 |
| 8 | Firefox | – | 11-2 | Gordon Elliott | 173 | – |
| 13 | Iroko | – | 11-1 | Greenall & Guerriero | 174 | 24-210 |
| 14 | Favori De Champdou | 11 | 11-1 | Gordon Elliott | 178 | 05F112 |
| 22 | Jagwar | 7 | 10-10 | Greenall & Guerriero | 180 | 11-322 |
| 29 | Final Orders | – | 10-5 | Gavin Cromwell | 180 | P63151 |
| 31 | Panic Attack | – | 10-5 | Dan Skelton | 173 | 2-1113 |
| 34 | Twig | – | 10-4 | Ben Pauling | 176 | 70-117 |
Grand National Tips 2026
The Grand National is the ultimate test of stamina, jumping ability and luck. With 30 fences over two laps of the famous Aintree course, including Becher’s Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn, picking the winner is never straightforward. Here is how our 2026 pre-race selections read — and our headline each-way call, Iroko, duly ran a cracker to finish second at 18/1.
Tip 1: Iroko (Each Way)
Iroko shapes as a leading each-way contender off a mark of 11-1. His form figures of 24-210 show consistency at a high level, with a win and a second from his last three starts. Trained by Greenall and Guerriero, who have built a strong record with staying chasers, Iroko has the stamina credentials you need for this marathon trip. Jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr is a capable and cool rider in big-field handicaps. At his current rating of 174, he looks well-handicapped relative to some of the horses above him in the weights, and with cloth 13 he avoids the very top of the handicap without being buried at the bottom. We’re backing Iroko to run a big race and expect him to be available at generous each-way prices.
Tip 2: Favori De Champdou
Gordon Elliott has six runners declared, and Favori De Champdou looks his standout chance. The 11-year-old has won his last two starts in convincing fashion, and his form figure of 05F112 shows a horse who has found his groove at just the right time. His rating of 178 is the highest in the Elliott string, and a topspeed figure of 167 confirms genuine class. At 11-1 in the weights, he carries a fair mark that gives him every chance in such a competitive handicap. The experience of an 11-year-old who has been there and done it counts for a lot when the fences come thick and fast in the closing stages. Expect him to be towards the top of the market.
Tip 3: Panic Attack (Each Way)
If you are looking for value at the bottom of the weights, Panic Attack is the one. His form of 2-1113 is outstanding, with three wins and a second from his last four runs. Trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton, the father-son duo (trainer-jockey) are in terrific form and know exactly how to place a horse for a big-race target. At just 10-5, Panic Attack carries one of the lightest weights in the field, giving him a significant advantage over the market leaders. The Skelton yard has quietly built a strong jumping operation, and this looks like a horse with plenty of scope for improvement over this trip. He should be available at attractive each-way prices.
Mullins Watch: Nick Rockett
Willie Mullins has nine runners in this year’s Grand National, a remarkable display of strength in depth from the champion trainer. The one omission on his CV is the Grand National itself. Nick Rockett, with form of 4111-3 and cloth 2, could be the horse to finally deliver it. He is a progressive chaser who has won three of his last five starts, and at 11-9 he sits just below top weight I Am Maximus, suggesting the handicapper respects his ability. Mullins will have his team primed for this, and with so many runners in the field, he can dictate the pace and tactics to suit his best chance. Nick Rockett is the one to watch from the Mullins battalion.
How to Watch the Grand National in Australia
The 2026 Grand National goes off at 1:00am AEST on Sunday 12 April. It is a late night for Australian racing fans, but the spectacle is well worth staying up for.
In Australia, Sky Racing and Racing.com may carry coverage of the race. bet365 typically offers live streaming of UK horse racing for customers with a funded account, which can be a convenient way to watch. In the UK, ITV broadcasts the Grand National free-to-air, so some international streaming options may also be available.
Grand National Betting Markets
The Grand National offers a wide range of betting markets. The main ones Australian punters should consider include:
- Win: Back your selection to finish first. Simple, but in a 40-runner race, easier said than done.
- Each Way: The most popular Grand National bet. Typically paid at quarter odds for the first four places (with 40 runners), this gives you two bites at the cherry and suits the unpredictable nature of the race perfectly.
- Forecast/Tricast: Pick the first two (forecast) or first three (tricast) in the correct order. High difficulty, but big payouts. For a primer on percentage-based approaches, see our guide to calculating a First 4 percentage.
- Without the Favourite: A market that removes the favourite from contention, potentially offering better value on your second or third pick.
For Australian punters, the best bookmakers offering Grand National markets include bet365 (a UK-based bookmaker with extensive horse racing coverage), Ladbrokes and Neds, all of which offer markets on major international racing events. Check our bet365 review, Ladbrokes review and Neds review for more detail on each.
Best Bookmakers for the Grand National
For the best odds and sign-up offers on the Grand National and international racing, see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide, or take advantage of the top bookmaker deals below.
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18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Grand National FAQs
Who won the 2026 Grand National?
I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, won the 2026 Grand National at 9/2 — becoming the first horse since Red Rum to regain the title. See our Grand National 2026 results for the full finishing order.
Why is the Grand National so famous?
First run in 1839, the Grand National is the world’s most famous jumps race, watched by an estimated 500–600 million people worldwide. Its 30 unique fences over 4m2½f and a field of up to 40 runners off a handicap make it the ultimate — and famously unpredictable — test.
What time is the Grand National in Australia?
The 2026 Grand National is scheduled for 1:00am AEST on Sunday 12 April. That is 4:00pm BST on Saturday 11 April in the UK. It is a late-night watch for Australians, but the race typically takes around nine to ten minutes and delivers plenty of excitement.
How many horses run in the Grand National?
A maximum of 40 horses can line up in the Grand National. In 2026, 49 horses have been declared, meaning some will be balloted out or withdrawn before the final field is confirmed. The large field is part of what makes the race so thrilling and unpredictable.
How long is the Grand National?
The Grand National is run over four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs (approximately 7,554 yards), making it the longest and most famous steeplechase in the world. The course features 30 fences over two laps, including the iconic Becher’s Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn. The race typically takes around nine to ten minutes to complete.
Can I bet on the Grand National in Australia?
Yes. Major Australian bookmakers including bet365, Ladbrokes and Neds all offer Grand National markets, including win, each way, forecast and other exotic bets. The Grand National is one of the most widely bet-on horse races globally, so coverage from Australian bookmakers is comprehensive.
More International Racing Coverage
- International Racing Hub
- Grand National 2026 Results
- Cheltenham Festival Tips
- Royal Ascot Tips
- Horse Racing Tips Hub
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