The 2026 Randox Grand National is just two weeks away. A race in the UK that the world, his wife, and granny all get involved in (religiously).
A lot has changed over the years, and the once HUGE obstacle race has now turned into a race where top-rated handicap horses dominate the scene (140+).
It’s now a race of skill and class rather than needing a plodder just to get round and hopefully jump around.
The last few years have thrown up some really interesting trends. The sweet spot on the age profile is 8–9 years old (8 of the last 9 winners have fallen into this bracket).
So we really need to take this seriously. Along with the weight profile, I don’t think a top weight has won the Grand National since Red Rum (I could be wrong).
The majority of winners carry between 10-3 and 11-0, with a huge percentage of winners over the years carrying under 11 stone — remember, this is 4m 2f run at a very fast pace with a huge uphill finish.
Recent Grand National Winners (Last 5 Runnings)
2025: Nick Rockett (33/1)
2024: I Am Maximus (7/1F)
2023: Corach Rambler (8/1F)
2022: Noble Yeats (50/1)
2021: Minella Times (11/1)
Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National at a lovely price, but the previous two years were won by favourites. So we can’t be scared to look at a decent-priced, well-handicapped horse in its prime (8–9 years old).
Fitness for the 2026 Grand National is key. When we’re looking at trends, most winners have had a run in the past 4–7 weeks, and within that, form is important. Most have run well, been placed, or won in those runs.
I also tend to look for an Irish raider. Only 2 of the last 10 winners have been British: “One For Arthur” in 2017 (which won me a nice amount) and more recently Corach Rambler, trained by Lucinda Russell, in 2023.
When tipping the Grand National, you have to take everything into account – the facts, the trends – but watching racing every day, I still go with my gut and my eye. If you’re a racing punter, you have to trust what you see – what’s travelling well, what was unlucky, what didn’t get a run.
With all that in mind, my tips for this year’s Grand National are below. I’m giving 3 selections. I’ll let you decide how you play it, but I’ll point you in the right direction:
1. Grangeclare West
Finished 3rd last year behind Nick Rockett. Came into that race off a huge run, splitting Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup. He blundered the last, which ended his winning chance, and Brian Hayes did very well to stay on.
Up the run-in, he was staying on better than anything. I think with a clean round of jumping, Willie Mullins could go very close with this horse.
The weight is a concern (he’s carrying 11-10 this year) but he comes to Aintree in fine form, having beaten Gerri Colombe by 5 lengths in the Bobbyjo in February.
If he jumps, he won’t be out of the first 4 in my eyes.
Price at time of writing: 10/1
2. Three Card Brag
One at a big price. Three Card Brag is one for good ground. This 8-year-old has bags of stamina and will definitely race up with the pace.
Gordon Elliott’s horse comes to Aintree in good form. He won nicely at Cheltenham over 3m1f on good ground in October and followed that up with a huge run in the Coral Gold Cup, giving the winner over a stone.
If the ground stays good and he gets into a rhythm near the front, 50/1 is a massive price, especially with most firms offering 6–7 places.
The only slight concern backing early is he’s entered in the Topham the day before, so hopefully Elliott rolls the dice in the big one.
Price at time of writing: 50/1
3. Final Orders
Final Orders is a big price at 28/1 and comes into Aintree in the form of his life.
If you watched Cheltenham, you’ll have seen him destroy the field in the Cross Country over 3m5f. He wasn’t stopping and looked like he could’ve gone another mile.
Before that, he won the Cross Country at Cheltenham in December and also ran a solid race on ground that didn’t suit him.
If the ground is good at this year’s Grand National, Gavin Cromwell’s horse is weighted to go very close, carrying just 10-5. He’ll be there or thereabouts.
Price at time of writing: 28/1
Good luck if you’re having a go.
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Good luck to you all.
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