Willie Mullins leads a strong lineup for the iconic Aintree race as Nick Rockett pulls out due to illness
Category: Sports
The 2026 Randox Grand National is set to take place on Saturday, April 11, at Aintree Racecourse, featuring a maximum field of 34 runners. The excitement surrounding this year’s race has been intensified following the withdrawal of last year's champion, Nick Rockett, who was ruled out due to a cough.
Trainer Willie Mullins, who has eight horses in the final entry list, will be aiming for victory with *I Am Maximus*, the 2024 winner and a strong contender this year. After finishing second last year behind stablemate Nick Rockett, *I Am Maximus* is now the leading favorite at odds of 7/1. Mullins also fields *Grangeclare West*, who finished third in the previous year's race and recently won the Bobbyjo Chase, a noted trial for the Grand National.
With Rockett's withdrawal, second reserve *Imperial Saint* will take his place in the lineup, followed by third reserve *Amirite*, who replaces *Spillane’s Tower*, also withdrawn after running earlier in the week. The deadline for any changes to the final lineup is set for 1 PM BST on April 10, just a day before the race.
Among the other notable contenders is *Panic Attack*, a mare in sensational form, having won both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup this season. Her impressive performances have made her a strong candidate for the Grand National, and she carries a weight of 10st 5lb. *Gerri Colombe*, trained by Gordon Elliott, is another strong competitor, boasting a solid record with only one defeat in his last 18 races. He is expected to run well after finishing second to *Grangeclare West* in the Bobbyjo Chase.
Another contender to watch is *Haiti Couleurs*, who is attempting to make history by becoming the first horse to win the Welsh, Irish, and Aintree Nationals. Trained by Rebecca Curtis, *Haiti Couleurs* has shown remarkable form, including victories in both the Welsh and Irish Nationals. He is expected to thrive if the ground conditions are favorable.
Other horses in the mix include *Banbridge*, a previous King George winner, and *Firefox*, who has struggled with stamina but remains a wildcard. *Monty's Star* and *Spanish Harlem* are also among the entries, with both having shown promise in previous races. *Jagwar*, trained by Oliver Greenall, has been a consistent performer in recent races but faces questions about his jumping ability.
As the race approaches, the stakes are high. The Grand National offers a prize of £500,000 for the winner, with substantial payouts extending down to the 10th place finisher. The atmosphere at Aintree is expected to be electric, with fans eagerly anticipating the spectacle of the world’s most famous steeplechase.
With the field now confirmed, the remaining horses as they prepare for the big race. Will Mullins' *I Am Maximus* reclaim glory, or will a new champion emerge from this competitive lineup? as the countdown to April 11 continues.