Grand National pinstickers’ guide to runners

Grand National Pinstickers’ Guide to Runners

Key Details to Note

Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree features a lineup of horses, jockeys, and trainers, with form records playing a critical role in assessing their chances. The racecard includes 34 entries, though three have been withdrawn: number two (Nick Rockett), number seven (Spillane’s Tower), and number 35 (Pied Piper).

Runners in the 2026 Grand National

Trained by Willie Mullins (IRE) and ridden by Paul Townend, this 10-year-old carries 11st 12lb. Gina highlights that he secured victory in 2024 and followed up with a strong second-place finish to his stablemate Nick Rockett last year, adapting well to faster track conditions.

Joseph O’Brien (IRE) and JJ Slevin collaborate on a 10-year-old contender bearing 11st 11lb. Gina observes that the horse won the King George in 2024 and narrowly missed repeating that feat at Kempton this season. While he may benefit from preferred faster surfaces, his stamina over longer distances has been a concern in recent performances.

Gordon Elliott (IRE) and Jack Kennedy ride a 10-year-old with a weight of 11st 10lb. Gina notes the horse’s return after a prolonged absence, with notable progress in races like the Bobbyjo Chase. He previously claimed victory in the Betfred Bowl and is now poised for a debut in the Grand National.

Rebecca Curtis and Sean Bowen guide a 9-year-old carrying 11st 10lb. John emphasizes the horse’s dominance in the 2025-26 season, including wins in the Welsh Grand National and Denman Chase. Despite his form, a soft-ground finish might be pivotal for success, as the drying conditions in previous races proved challenging.

Henry de Bromhead (IRE) and Darragh O’Keeffe are paired with a 9-year-old weighing 11st 3lb. John points out that the horse has been consistent at Grade One level over the past two years but has yet to secure a major victory over fences. His recent performances behind Fact To File and Spillane’s Tower suggest potential, though his 12-month progress remains uncertain.

Best Outsiders

“Quai de Bourbon could be the surprise contender,”

Quai de Bourbon is positioned as a notable outsider. Meanwhile, Spanish Harlem is also considered a dark horse, with John noting its strong potential despite limited prior exposure to high-level competition.

John adds, “The drying ground was ultimately against him there, and that’s the rub.”

Final Notes

The race is set for Saturday, 11 April, at 16:00 BST. Full commentary and analysis will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, with live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.