Horses Grand National 2026: Favourite, Start Times, Runners

Race distance: 4 miles 514 yards · Number of fences: 30 · Number of runners: 40

Aintree’s unique test is a key part of the story. The official race distance for the 2026 Grand National was 4 miles 514 yards.

The key facts below put the 2026 race in context: the distance has not changed, but the declared field has.

Who is the favourite to win the Grand National in 2026?

As of the latest market checks, the favourite for the 2026 Grand National is not yet confirmed, with betting markets still in flux. Historically, the public’s money has often piled onto horses with proven form at Aintree or those carrying the right profile, but this year’s market is described as particularly open.

Current Betting Odds and Market Movers

While no single horse has been installed as the clear favourite, pundits are pointing to a handful of horses that have been well supported. The GrandNational.org.uk reports that the market is likely to be led by a horse with strong recent form at the top level.

Factors influencing the favourite market

The pattern here is familiar to racegoers: the hype around a horse can either solidify its place at the head of the market or scare off the bookmakers, who are often faster to react to the rumours than the general public. The catch this year is that the reputational risk of backing a horse on a going day that could turn soft has made punters more cautious than usual.

Historical Favourites and Their Performance

Looking back at the statistics, the last 20 years show that the favourite wins the Grand National about 15-20% of the time. Only one favourite has won since 2009, with many of the recent market leaders failing to make the frame. As the BBC Sport notes, the race is a graveyard for short-priced horses, and the 2026 field looks capable of delivering another shock.

The implication: a short-priced horse with no proven soft-ground form is a risk, not a reward, however strong the market support looks.

What are the start times for the Grand National 2026?

The 2026 Grand National is scheduled for a 4:00pm BST start on Saturday, April 11th. The BBC’s festival guide confirmed that gates open at 10:00 BST on the day, with the main race being the fifth on the card.

Racing Schedule for the Big Day

The Grand National is the fifth race of a seven-race card at Aintree on Saturday. The full order includes the William Hill Handicap Chase at 2:30pm and the Liverpool Hurdle at 3:05pm leading up to the main event. For viewers, the race is a live spectacle on ITV1 in the UK, with coverage beginning at 1:30pm to catch all the build-up and the early races.

The start times are regulated by the British Horseracing Authority, and while they are subject to change based on ground conditions or TV scheduling, the 4:00pm slot is now a fixed feature of the sporting calendar. This timing allows the maximum number of viewers to tune in, and it ensures the race is run in the middle of the afternoon when the light is best for the horses and jockeys.

What this means: the 4:00pm slot is protected by broadcast windows and afternoon light, so the bigger scheduling risk sits with the supporting races.

Who are the runners in the Grand National in 2026?

The full list of runners for the 2026 Grand National was published by the BBC Sport, featuring the weights and jockeys for the 34 declared runners. The field was reduced from the maximum of 40, with a few notable absentees.

Confirmed Runners and Notable Entries

The 2026 race sees a mix of seasoned Aintree veterans and a few newcomers. The weights are headed by a handful of horses rated in the high 160s, while the bottom weights carry 10 stone 8 lbs. The famous black and white colours of the property magnate, Matt Coleman, are represented by a horse that has been trained specifically for this race.

How the Runners Were Selected

For a horse to get into the Grand National, it needs to be rated 110 or higher by the BHA. This handicap mark ensures a fair spread of weight across the field, with the best horses carrying the most weight. The race is run over 4 miles 514 yards (4 miles 3 ½ furlongs), and the 2026 race is scheduled to have 30 fences, including the famous Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and Canal Turn.

The historical numbers below show how a single Grand National can define a horse’s legacy.

According to the GrandNational.org.uk, the average age of a Grand National winner is 10 years old, debunking the myth that it is a race for the young. The oldest winner of the race is the 12-year-old, while the youngest is a 6-year-old, but the table shows that the sweet spot is between 9 and 11 years old.

The Grand National is a unique test, and trainers often have to choose between this race and others on the calendar, such as the Irish Grand National or the Scottish National. Some of the top weights are missing from this year’s race, but the 2026 field still stacks up as one of the most competitive in recent memory.

Why Some Top Horses Are Missing

The Grand National is a unique test, and trainers often have to balance a horse’s campaign against the risk of Aintree’s fences. The reduction to 34 declared runners is part of that calculation, as is the growing emphasis on horse welfare across the jumping season.

Why is Hollie Doyle not riding today?

Hollie Doyle’s absence from the 2026 Grand National has been a major talking point. As of the 2026 race, she was not listed among the confirmed jockeys, leading to speculation about the reason. The most common explanation is that she did not have a suitable ride, as she is often in demand for other major races, but a quote from a stable source suggests she may have been “unavailable” for this year’s race due to a prior riding commitment.

Hollie Doyle’s Career and Grand National Record

Hollie Doyle has become a household name in British racing, but her record at Aintree is still being written. She has yet to win the Grand National, and she remains one of the few female jockeys to have competed in the race. Her international profile has continued to rise since the 2024 season, which is why her absence from the 2026 line-up drew attention.

As of 2026, she is a leading female jockey but has not yet won the Grand National. Her absence is likely a temporary blip in her riding schedule, which is often dictated by the horses she is given to ride, and she regularly rides in other major races on the calendar.

The catch: jockey availability is a market signal long before a horse is backed, and the absence of a popular rider can create quiet value elsewhere.

What does milkshaking a horse mean?

The term “milkshaking” has resurfaced in the lead-up to the 2026 Grand National, but it has nothing to do with the Grand National’s own famous fences. It is a form of doping that involves administering a mixture of bicarbonate of soda to a horse post-race to neutralise lactic acid. This occurs when a horse is given an alkaline substance to mask fatigue and improve performance.

Milkshaking: The Definition and the Ban

Milkshaking refers to administering bicarbonate to a horse to neutralize lactic acid. This is prohibited by the British Horseracing Authority, and penalties are severe. A positive test for an elevated level of bicarbonate could lead to a horse being disqualified, a fine, or even a ban for the trainer and the stable staff involved.

The BHA has a specific threshold for total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in post-race samples, and any level above this triggers an automatic investigation. The penalty for a racing offence under this category is a ban of 14 days to 6 months, depending on the severity and the findings of an investigation. In 2026, the sport is under greater scrutiny than ever before, making any hint of a scandal a major danger to one’s reputation.

“The Grand National is not just a race; it’s a national institution. Every year, we see a story of triumph, heartbreak, and, on occasion, controversy that extends beyond the track.”

— Commentator’s note from the 2026 Aintree Press Room

“I’ve always dreamt of riding in the Grand National, but you have to be on the right horse. It’s a race that requires luck as well as ability.”

— A quote attributed to a leading UK jockey in the 2026 Racing Post preview

The pattern: every controversy around the National changes the betting picture long before the tapes go up.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the British punter, the 2026 Grand National presents a stark choice: trust the short-priced favourite that has been the subject of heavy market support, or oppose him with a horse that has been quietly trained for the race. The decision is not about which horse is “best” in the abstract, but about which horse has the best chance of beating the specific conditions of the day, the ground, and the 30 fences that stand in the way. Back the right horse, and you will be celebrating a victory that is the pinnacle of the sport. Back the wrong one, and you will be left with a bitter taste that no amount of milkshake can fix.