Grand National 2026: Start Time, TV Coverage, Runners, and Odds Guide

Grand National 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Iconic Steeplechase

All eyes turn to Aintree this weekend for the 178th running of the Grand National, the world's most famous steeplechase. The event faces a dramatic twist as the 2025 winner, Nick Rockett, has been declared a non-runner due to a cough, confirmed on Thursday morning. Despite this setback for trainer Willie Mullins, who achieved a remarkable 1-2-3 finish last year, the legendary Irish trainer remains a dominant force with eight horses in the field, including the favourite I Am Maximus. This guide provides everything you need to know about the Grand National 2026, from start times and TV coverage to runners, odds, and prize money.

Start Time and Schedule

The Grand National race will begin at 4pm on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The three-day Grand National meeting commences today, with Ladies Day scheduled for Friday, offering a full festival of racing excitement leading up to the main event.

How to Watch on TV and Online

The race and the entire festival will be broadcast live on ITV1 and Racing TV. For viewers preferring online streaming, the action can be live-streamed via ITVX, ensuring you don't miss a moment of this historic competition.

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Runners and Field Details

A total of 34 horses will compete in Saturday's showdown, following a reduction from 40 in 2024 to enhance horse safety by reducing congestion at fences. Notable jockey changes include Patrick Mullins, last year's winning jockey, now riding Grangeclare West, the 2025 third-placed horse, while Paul Townend returns aboard I Am Maximus. The confirmed runners and riders are as follows:

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I Am Maximus – Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Pied Piper – Jockey: TBC, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Banbridge – Jockey: JJ Slevin, Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Grangeclare West – Jockey: Patrick Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Gerri Colombe – Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Haiti Couleurs – Jockey: Sean Bowen, Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
Spillane's Tower – Jockey: Simon Torrens, Trainer: Jimmy Mangan
Firefox – Jockey: Keith Donoghue, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Monty's Star – Jockey: Darragh O'Keeffe, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Spanish Harlem – Jockey: Brian Hayes, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Lecky Watson – Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Champ Kiely – Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Iroko – Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr, Trainer: Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero
Favori de Champdou – Jockey: Danny Gillgan, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Three Card Brag – Jockey: Jordan Gainford, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Oscars Brother – Jockey: Daniel King, Trainer: Connor King
Mr Vango – Jockey: Jack Tudor, Trainer: Sara Bradstock
High Class Hero – Jockey: James Bowen, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Stellar Story – Jockey: Robbie Dunne, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Beauport – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
Captain Cody – Jockey: Jonathan Burke, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jagwar – Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Perceval Legallois – Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Gorgeous Tom – Jockey: Sean Flanagan, Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
The Real Whacker – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan, Trainer: Patrick Neville
Quai de Bourbon – Jockey: Donagh Meyler, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Answer To Kayf – Jockey: John Shinnick, Trainer: Terence O'Brien
Jordans – Jockey: Ben Jones, Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Final Orders – Jockey: Conor Stone-Walsh, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Marble Sands – Jockey: Kielan Woods, Trainer: David Killahena and Graeme McPherson
Panic Attack – Jockey: Harry Skelton, Trainer: Dan Skelton
Top Of The Bill – Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell, Trainer: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
Johnnywho – Jockey: Richie McLernon, Trainer: Jonjo and AJ O'Neill
Twig – Jockey: Beau Morgan, Trainer: Ben Pauling

Race Distance and Fences

The Grand National covers two laps of the Aintree course, totaling four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs. Horses and jockeys must navigate 30 fences: 16 in the first lap and 14 in the second. Recent course modifications, such as reprofiling landing areas, lowering fence heights, and softening structures, aim to improve horse welfare. The average winning time is 9 minutes and 10 seconds, with Mr Frisk holding the record for the only sub-nine-minute finish in 1990 on firm ground.

Odds and Betting Favourites

The 2024 winner, I Am Maximus, is the favourite at 7/1. Other top contenders include Grangeclare West and Panic Attack at 9/1, and Jagwar at 10/1. For full odds, betting enthusiasts should check with major bookmakers like Paddy Power.

Prize Money Distribution

A £1 million prize pot will be divided among the top ten finishers, with the winner receiving £500,000. Approximately 80% of the money goes to racehorse owners, with the remainder shared between trainers, jockeys, and stable staff. The prize breakdown is as follows: