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  "path": "/sport/horse-racing/grand-national-horse-prize-money-twig",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-11T09:44:59.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Animal rights group PETA release statement condemning Grand National after race-winning horse dies",
    "Football manager, 49, dies after collapsing as Robert Lewandowski and Matty Cash pay tribute",
    "British golfer hints at 'gameplan' to end Masters hoodoo after suffering heartbreak last year",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe Grand National takes place at Aintree this afternoon, with one of racing's most extraordinary underdog stories set to unfold on the famous course.\n\nTwig, a bay gelding purchased for a mere £100, has the opportunity to secure a £1million windfall for his owners if he triumphs in the world's most celebrated steeplechase.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 11-year-old outsider, currently priced at 40-1, would effectively double the standard winner's purse thanks to a special offer from bookmaker William Hill after claiming victory in one of three qualifying trial races.\n\nYoung jockey Beau Morgan, just 21 years old, will be in the saddle aboard the horse owned by his mother, Georgia.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBecause he won the Becher Chase, Twig is the only qualifier for the William Hill Half A Mill bonus, meaning If he wins the 2026 Grand National, his owner and trainer will receive the £500,000 first-prize money plus a £500,000 bonus.\n\nThe Morgan family, who run a scaffolding firm near Bath, could scarcely have imagined reaching this moment when they acquired Twig half a decade ago.\n\nAt the time of purchase, the horse had no jumping experience whatsoever, prompting the family to send him to local point-to-point trainer Matt Hampton for development.\n\nOver the summer months, Twig was turned out to pasture, where he built up considerable strength.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHampton's assessment of the horse's potential initially drew scepticism from the young jockey.\n\nMorgan recalled: \"Matt said, 'This is a good horse' and I laughed and said we've heard it all before but to be fair he was right.\"\n\nBen Pauling now trains Twig, and the horse arrives at today's race with genuine credentials after finishing 10th in last year's National.\n\nMorgan believes his mount has improved significantly since that previous attempt at the Aintree fences.\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Animal rights group PETA release statement condemning Grand National after race-winning horse dies\n  * Football manager, 49, dies after collapsing as Robert Lewandowski and Matty Cash pay tribute\n  * British golfer hints at 'gameplan' to end Masters hoodoo after suffering heartbreak last year\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe jockey said: \"I'm sure he's in better form this time. His trainer says he has a sporting chance.\"\n\nThe combination of youth and experience makes for an intriguing partnership.\n\nThe 21-year-old rider is guiding an 11-year-old horse who has clearly matured into a serious contender for the sport's biggest prize.\n\nA total of 34 runners will contest this afternoon's feature race.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt is set to begin at 4pm.\n\nLegendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins has entered eight horses in the field, including the bookmakers' favourite I Am Maximus.\n\nThe JP McManus-owned runner claimed the National title in 2024 and is now attempting to achieve something no horse has managed since Red Rum's remarkable exploits in the 1970s.\n\nShould I Am Maximus prevail, he would become the first horse in nearly five decades to win the race, lose it the following year, and then reclaim the crown.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Grand National horse aiming for £1million prize money after owners paid just £100"
}