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  "path": "/2026/04/08/grand-national-2026-runners-riders-full-list-confirmed-horses-jockeys-27895926/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-08T11:05:34.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Sport",
    "Aintree Racecourse",
    "Grand National 2026",
    "Horse racing",
    "Grand National",
    "iconic steeplechase",
    "runner-up to stablemate Nick Rockett",
    "Aintree",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "I Am Maximus has been installed as the favourite (Picture: Getty)\n\nThe 34 horses taking part in this year’s Grand National have now been officially confirmed.\n\nThe line-up is headed by the favourite I Am Maximus, who won the iconic steeplechase for trainer Willie Mullins in 2024.\n\nThe 10 year-old then finished as runner-up to stablemate Nick Rockett in last year’s race – the duo leading home a Mullins 1-2-3 with Grangeclare West rounding out the top spots.\n\nPaul Townend will once again ride I Am Maximus, while Patrick Mullins – who has switched from Nick Rockett to Grangeclare West – is aiming to become just the tenth jockey to win the National in successive years.\n\nThe vacancy left with Nick Rockett has been filled by British jockey Tom Bellamy, who won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.\n\nLast year’s top three make up a third of the nine horses Mullins has entered into the 2026 race, which also includes the likes of Spanish Harlem and Lecky Watson.\n\nNick Rockett, ridden by Patrick Mullins, claimed the win in 2025 (Picture: Getty)\n\nA fourth victory at the Grand National for the legendary Irishman will see him join Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as the most successful trainers in the history of the race.\n\nElsewhere, 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.\n\nShould the JP McManus-owned horse compete in the first day of Aintree, then his spot in the National will be taken by first reserve Pied Piper.\n\nThe reserve deadline is 1pm on Friday, with Imperial Saint, Amirite, Ain’t That A Shame, Deep Cave and Buddy One next in line should any of the runners listed pull out.\n\n##  Grand National confirmed runners and riders\n\n**1. I Am Maximus**\n7-1\nJockey: Paul Townend\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**2. Nick Rockett**\n14-1\nJockey: Tom Bellamy\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**3. Banbridge**\n50-1\nJockey: JJ Slevin\nTrainer: Joseph O’Brien\n\n**4. Grangeclare West**\n10-1\nJockey: Patrick Mullins\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**5. Gerri Colombe**\n33-1\nJockey: Jack Kennedy\nTrainer: Gordon Elliott\n\n**6. Haiti Couleurs**\n16-1\nJockey: Sean Bowen\nTrainer: Rebecca Curtis\n\n**7. Spillane’s Tower**\n33-1\nJockey: Simon Torrens\nTrainer: Jimmy Mangan\n\n**8. Firefox**\n100-1\nJockey: Keith Donoghue\nTrainer: Gordon Elliott\n\n**9. Monty’s Star**\n16-1\nJockey: Darragh O’Keeffe\nTrainer: Henry de Bromhead\n\n**10. Spanish Harlem**\n50-1\nJockey: Brian Hayes\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**11. Lecky Watson**\n50-1\nJockey: Sean O’Keeffe\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**12. Champ Kiely**\n80-1\nJockey: Danny Mullins\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**13. Iroko**\n14-1\nJockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr\nTrainer: Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero\n\n**14. Favori de Champdou**\n40-1\nJockey: Danny Gillgan\nTrainer: Gordon Elliott\n\n**15. Three Card Brag**\n66-1\nJockey: Jordan Gainford\nTrainer: Gordon Elliott\n\n**16. Oscars Brother**\n16-1\nJockey: Daniel King\nTrainer: Connor King\n\n**17. Mr Vango**\n80-1\nJockey: Jack Tudor\nTrainer: Sara Bradstock\n\n**18. High Class Hero**\n80-1\nJockey: James Bowen\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**19. Stellar Story**\n25-1\nJockey: Robbie Dunne\nTrainer: Gordon Elliott\n\n**20. Beauport**\n125-1\nJockey: Sam Twiston-Davies\nTrainer: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies\n\n**21. Captain Cody**\n16-1\nJockey: Jonathan Burke\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**22. Jagwar**\n12-1\nJockey: Mark Walsh\nTrainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero\n\n**23. Perceval Legallois**\n40-1\nJockey: Harry Cobden\nTrainer: Gavin Cromwell\n\n**24. Gorgeous Tom**\n33-1\nJockey: Sean Flanagan\nTrainer: Henry de Bromhead\n\n**25. The Real Whacker**\n100-1\nJockey: Gavin Sheehan\nTrainer: Patrick Neville\n\n**26. Quai de Bourbon**\n33-1\nJockey: Donagh Meyler\nTrainer: Willie Mullins\n\n**27. Answer To Kayf**\n66-1\nJockey: John Shinnick\nTrainer: Terence O’Brien\n\n**28. Jordans**\n28-1\nJockey: Ben Jones\nTrainer: Joseph O’Brien\n\n**29. Final Orders**\n25-1\nJockey: Conor Stone-Walsh\nTrainer: Gavin Cromwell\n\n**30. Marble Sands**\n125-1\nJockey: Kielan Woods\nTrainer: David Killahena and Graeme McPherson\n\n**31. Panic Attack**\n10-1\nJockey: Harry Skelton\nTrainer: Dan Skelton\n\n**32. Top Of The Bill**\n125-1\nJockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell\nTrainer: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies\n\n**33. Johnnywho**\n14-1\nJockey: Richie McLernon\nTrainer: Jonjo and AJ O’Neill\n\n**34. Twig**\n66-1\nJockey: Beau Morgan\nTrainer: Ben Pauling\n\nThis is the first time in Grand National history that the final declarations have been made 72 hours in advance of the big race.\n\nTraditionally 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.\n\nThe move brings the Aintree showpiece in line with other major horse racing events, including the Epsom Derby, which did so last year.\n\nThis is also the third time the National has been held with 34 runners since the field was reduced from 40 in 2024.\n\nThe 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.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Grand National 2026 runners and riders: Full list of confirmed horses and jockeys"
}