Grand National Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Apr 11)

The world’s most famous horse race is set for Aintree on Saturday, April 11, 2026, as a big field will contest the Grand National. Find the odds and our picks for the showpiece events on the British racing schedule here.

Odds

Grand National Recent Winners

Grand National: Event Information

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Race Preview

Few events have had the power to stand the test of time more so than the Grand National. Aintree’s showpiece race was first run in 1839, and it is watched by over 600 million people in over 140 countries.

Once again, this year’s renewal looks like a challenging one to predict. I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett are former winners, with the former bidding to carry top weight to success to become the first horse since Red Rum to regain the National.

Grangeclare West has been the talking horse throughout the build up after an eye-catching third in the race 12 months ago. However, returning horses to the race have a poor record.

That could also rule out Iroko, who remains an unexposed chaser, but has typically failed to justify his lofty reputation. Johnnywho was an excellent winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, with that prep being used on route to glory by Corach Rambler.

Haiti Couleurs should be respected for trainer Rebecca Curtis, having won the Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals. However, a heavy weight is a question in the stamina-sapping test.

Panic Attack has already scooped some huge prizes at Cheltenham this year, and is capable enough to feature from a light weight. However, the Dan Skelton horse will need to break a number of trends, including becoming the oldest winner of the race since 2014, and only the first mare since Nickel Coin in 1951.

Grand National Picks

Oscars Brother and Jagwar are the two most interesting contenders this year.

The slight preference is for the latter, who has always appeared to want a stamina-sapping trip. That was evidenced last time when staying on better than anything else to finish second in the Ultima.