2026 Grand National &#8211; Latest entries as I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett feature

Feb 4, 2026 - 12:30

The 2026 Grand National at Aintree has been narrowed down to just 78 entries already, which at this stage last year was at 90 runners.

The deadline on 12pm on Tuesday saw the latest field revealed including last year’s winner Nick Rockett and 2024 victor I Am Maximus.

The Randox Grand National has already been narrowed down to 78 runners

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At this declaration stage in 2024 as many as 94 were entered into the event and even more so in 2022 where there were 107 entries, after 126 were named in 2016 showing a steady decline.

Of course, in 2024 the maximum runners on the event itself was reduced from 40 runners to 34 with a view to improve safety and welfare.

This move along with a plethora of other initiatives including moving the first fence closer, lowering the height of the 11th fence, and probably the biggest factor – requiring a rating of 130 to qualify instead of 125.

That move has limited the runners especially at this early stage so it’s no surprise to see a reduction, but not quite as significant fall from last years.

Gordon Elliott has 12 entries of the 78 entries while Ireland as a whole provide 48 runners entered at this stage equating to a huge percentage of 62%, up from 53% at this declaration deadline last year.

If Elliott or Willie Mullins were to win the 2026 Grand National they would equal the record of most National winners by a single trainer, with four.

Britain have a few big runners up for the main event though, including Iroko, Jagwar, Haiti Couleurs and Grey Dawning – each with their own strong chances especially if suited to this step up in trip.

Aintree Grand National Entries

Ain’t That A Shame (Tom Ellis)
Amirite (Henry De Bromhead)
Answer To Kayf (Terence O’Brien)
Anyway (David Kenneth Budds)
Appreciate It (Willie Mullins)
Banbridge (Joseph O’Brien)
Beaufort Scale (Gordon Elliott)
Beauport (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
Better Days Ahead (Gordon Elliott)
Blaze The Way (Margaret Mullins)
Blizzard Of Oz (Willie Mullins)
Buddy One (Paul John Gilligan)
Captain Cody (Willie Mullins)
Champ Kiely (Willie Mullins)
Croke Park (Gordon Elliott)
Deafening Silence (Dan Skelton)
Deep Cave (Christian Williams)
Escaria Ten (Martin Keighley)
Favori De Champdou (Gordon Elliott)
Final Orders (Gavin Cromwell)
Firefox (Gordon Elliott)
Flooring Porter (Gavin Cromwell)
French Dynamite (Eric McNamara)
Gentlemans Game (Mouse Morris)
Gerri Colombe (Gordon Elliott)
Gorgeous Tom (Henry de Bromhead)
Grangeclare West (Willie Mullins)
Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton)
Handstands (Ben Pauling)
Harry Des Ongrais (Henry de Bromhead)
Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis)
High Class Hero (Willie Mullins)
Hyland (Nicky Henderson)
I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins)
Ile Atlantique (Willie Mullins)
Impaire Et Passe (Willie Mullins)
Imperial Saint (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)
In d’Or (Fergal O’Brien)
Intense Raffles (Thomas Gibney)
Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
Jagwar (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
Johnnywho (Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
Jordans (Joseph O’Brien)
Leave Of Absence (Anthony Honeyball)
Lecky Watson (Willie Mullins)
L’Homme Presse (Venetia Williams)
Marble Sands (David Killahena & Graeme McPherson)
Mister Coffey (Nicky Henderson)
Monbeg Genius (Jonjo & A J O’Neill)
Monty’s Star (Henry De Bromhead)
Mr Vango (Sara Bradstock)
Myretown (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)
Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins)
Now Is The Hour (Gavin Cromwell)
O’Moore Park (Willie Mullins)
Oscars Brother (Connor King)
Paggane (Faye Bramley)
Panic Attack (Dan Skelton)
Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell)
Pic Roc (Ben Pauling)
Pied Piper (Gordon Elliott)
Quai De Bourbon (Willie Mullins, Ireland)
Resplendent Grey (Olly Murphy)
Search For Glory (Gordon Elliott)
Shanbally Kid (Willie Mullins)
Soul Icon (Keiran Burke)
Spanish Harlem (Willie Mullins)
Spillane’s Tower (Jimmy Mangan)
Stellar Story (Gordon Elliott)
Stolen Silver (Georgia Nicholls)
The Real Whacker (Paddy Neville)
The Short Go (Henry de Bromhead)
Three Card Brag (Gordon Elliott)
Top Of The Bill (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies)
Twig (Ben Pauling)
Western Fold (Gordon Elliott)
Weveallbeencaught (Eric McNamara)
Will Do (Gordon Elliott)
Yeah Man (Gavin Cromwell)

There are a few top-rated horses that could make a big impression this year as the talented jumpers could win it from their consistency in the air.

Of course previous winners I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett will take plenty of support, but the likes of ten-year-old Grangeclare West is interesting having placed third in last year’s renewal.

Mullins has also entered a few intriguing chances in Impaire Et Passe (rated 163), Blizzard Of Oz (rated 146) Ile Atlantique (rated 150), and High Class Hero (rated 152).

Impaire Et Passe is a roll of the dice early on but he’s shown great ability over fences already after just five chases.

Key dates for Grand National 2026

The following are the next stages for the 2026 renewal at Aintree scheduled for April 11 at 4pm.

February 11: Weights announced.
March 3: First scratchings deadline (12pm)
March 24: Secon scratchings deadline (12pm)
April 6: Final confirmations (12pm)
April 8: Final declarations (10am)

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