The world’s greatest steeplechase is upon us once again! The Weekend Winners team are back to preview the 2026 Randox Grand National – each nominating their top three for Aintree’s showpiece.
A maximum field of 34 runners have assembled for the race, with 2024 winner I Am Maximus heading the betting for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
Coral Gold Cup winner Panic Attack is also prominent in the market, alongside last year’s third Grangeclare West and JP McManus’ Jagwar, Johnnywho and Iroko.
Declan Rix…
“I’m siding with an old friend to win the Grand National this year in Imperial Saint, who has really good course form not over the National fences, but on the Mildmay course. He really came alive in a competitive handicap at this meeting last year. He looks like he is crying out for a marathon trip and he is overpriced.
“Johnnywho – who won the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival – I want on my side as winners of that race have a great record in here, with Corach Rambler landing this race a few years ago. The first time cheekpieces really sharpened him up that day and he ran a cracker in the Grand Sefton over these fences and he’s six pounds well in from his Cheltenham win.
Johnnywho returns to action at Aintree on Saturday
“To fill the frame, I will side with Iroko, who ran with plenty of credit in this race last year. He has run really well this year, winning at Ascot before disappointing in the Ultima at Cheltenham. He’s up in the weights on last year but the wind operation has helped him a lot, so I think he could be bang there.”
Declan’s 1-2-3
1st Imperial Saint
2nd Johnnywho
3rd Iroko
Host Kate Tracey…
“So, I have eight trends that help try and find the winner of the National and these horses hopefully meet the right profiles. I’m really confident on the chances of Johnnywho who perfectly fits into the trends, ticking plenty of boxes.
“Final Orders is my second selection. He is two years too old but he has the perfect rating, perfect weight and was a winner last time out. He has been seen to win at Cheltenham in the Cross Country and will be prominent without leading. I really like his chances for this year’s race.
“Rounding off the third of my picks will be Spanish Harlem, who ticks less boxes than the ones above but is a massive price and could outrun his odds. He did pull up last time but has had four runs and races prominently – which is ideal for this race. I think he is underestimated from the Willie Mullins yard.”
Kate’s 1-2-3
1st Johnnywho
2nd Final Orders
3rd Spanish Orders
Sam Boswell…
“My first selection is Monty’s Star. You have to go back to December 2023 to find his last win, but he has been dining at the top table in recent times. The last run was a fair effort at the Dublin Racing Festival on ground I don’t think he would have liked. Henry de Bromhead has a great record in the race and this horse fits all the right profiles to win this. He’s off a nice mark and I can see him shortening.
“Oscar’s Brother could be a real story of the Grand National, with the trainer Connor King only having two horses in training with this one owned by JP McManus. He’s got bits and pieces of form and has shown plenty of improvement in all his starts. His run at Cheltenham was really good and up in trip could see him to better effect.
“My third selection in the race is Captain Cody, who chinned me last year in the Scottish National. He looks like he should relish the trip and has been targeted for this race since that day. He has a good chance if getting into a rhythm early on.”
Sam’s 1-2-3
1st Monty’s Star
2nd Oscar’s Brother
3rd Amirite
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