Who is the favourite to win the Grand National 2026? Full list of runners and riders

The 34 horses taking part in this year’s Grand National have been officially confirmed.

The line-up is headed by the favourite I Am Maximus, who won the iconic steeplechase for trainer Willie Mullins in 2024.

But there is no place for the 2025 winner, Nick Rockett, who was forced to withdraw from the race on Thursday morning after being found with a cough.

The beneficiary of that dramatic development is first reserve Pied Piper, trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, who will now take to the start line in the reigning champions’ place.

But despite the unexpected blow to Willie Mullins, the legendary trainer still has two of last year’s top three taking part in the 2026 edition with I Am Maximus joined by Grangeclare West.

A fourth victory at the Grand National for the Irishman will see him join Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as the most successful trainers in the history of the race.

Paul Townend will once again ride I Am Maximus, while Patrick Mullins will breathe a sigh of relief having switched from Nick Rockett to Grangeclare West before the former’s withdrawal was announced.

Elsewhere, there was something of a surprise with the declaration of Spillane’s Tower, who is also set to run in the Bowl race on Thursday.

Should the JP McManus-owned horse compete in the first day of Aintree, then his spot in the National will be taken by the next reserve, Imperial Saint.

The reserve deadline is 1pm on Friday, with Amirite, Ain’t That A Shame, Deep Cave and Buddy One next in line should any of the other listed runners pull out.

I Am Maximus is the current favourite at 7/1, ahead of the likes of Grangeclare West (9/1), Panic Attack (9/1) and Jagwar (9/1).

Grand National confirmed runners and riders

1.

I Am Maximus
7-1
Jockey: Paul Townend
Trainer: Willie Mullins
2.

Pied Piper
100-1
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Philip Hobbs and Johnson White
3.

Banbridge
33-1
Jockey: JJ Slevin
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
4.

Grangeclare West
9-1
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
Trainer: Willie Mullins
5.

Gerri Colombe
25-1
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
6.

Haiti Couleurs
12-1
Jockey: Sean Bowen
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
7.

Spillane’s Tower
28-1
Jockey: Simon Torrens
Trainer: Jimmy Mangan
8.

Firefox
50-1
Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
9.

Monty’s Star
16-1
Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
10.

Spanish Harlem
33-1
Jockey: Brian Hayes
Trainer: Willie Mullins
11.

Lecky Watson
28-1
Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
Trainer: Willie Mullins
12.

Champ Kiely
25-1
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Trainer: Willie Mullins
13.

Iroko
10-1
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Trainer: Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero
14.

Favori de Champdou
33-1
Jockey: Danny Gillgan
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
15.

Three Card Brag
40-1
Jockey: Jordan Gainford
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
16.

Oscars Brother
14-1
Jockey: Daniel King
Trainer: Connor King
17.

Mr Vango
40-1
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Trainer: Sara Bradstock
18.

High Class Hero
50-1
Jockey: James Bowen
Trainer: Willie Mullins
19.

Stellar Story
25-1
Jockey: Robbie Dunne
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
20.

Beauport
66-1
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Trainer: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
21.

Captain Cody
16-1
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Trainer: Willie Mullins
22.

Jagwar
9-1
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
23.

Perceval Legallois
25-1
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
24.

Gorgeous Tom
28-1
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
25.

The Real Whacker
66-1
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Trainer: Patrick Neville
26.

Quai de Bourbon
25-1
Jockey: Donagh Meyler
Trainer: Willie Mullins
27.

Answer To Kayf
66-1
Jockey: John Shinnick
Trainer: Terence O’Brien
28.

Jordans
33-1
Jockey: Ben Jones
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
29.

Final Orders
20-1
Jockey: Conor Stone-Walsh
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
30.

Marble Sands
125-1
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Trainer: David Killahena and Graeme McPherson
31.

Panic Attack
8-1
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Trainer: Dan Skelton
32.

Top Of The Bill
100-1
Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell
Trainer: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
33.

Johnnywho
12-1
Jockey: Richie McLernon
Trainer: Jonjo and AJ O’Neill
34.

Twig
50-1
Jockey: Beau Morgan
Trainer: Ben Pauling

This is the first time in Grand National history that the final declarations have been made 72 hours in advance of the big race.

Traditionally the final list was confirmed 48 hours before the start, but Jockey Club organisers have introduced the change in an attempt to build more anticipation for the National.

The move brings the Aintree showpiece in line with other major horse racing events, including the Epsom Derby, which did so last year.

This is also the third time the National has been held with 34 runners since the field was reduced from 40 in 2024.

The reduction in size is aimed at enhancing the overall safety of the event, with the race notoriously one of the most dangerous in the sport.