Wednesday afternoon saw the runners and riders confirmed for the 2026 Grand National ahead of the big race on Saturday. The race has such a wide appeal that it brings together hardcore racing fans alongside more casual punters who would normally be found playing bitcoin live blackjack. Included among the final field of 34 are no fewer than nine contenders from the yard of Irish trainer Willie Mullins. Successful with I Am Maximus in 2024 and Nick Rockett in 2025, Mullins bids to join Vincent O’Brien as the only trainer to saddle three successive winners.
Mullins certainly boasts strength in numbers this year, with only compatriot Gordon Elliott coming close to matching his tally. Deciding between the Mullins contingent is no easy task, but the three standouts on form are the past two winners of the race and Grangeclare West, who finished a gallant third in 2025. But which of the trio to plump for? That decision faced not only punters, but also the leading riders attached to the Mullins yard – Paul Townend and Mullins’ son, Patrick.
Townend Places Maximum Faith in 2024 Hero
As the yard’s number one, Paul Townend was the first to choose his Grand National ride. An ability to select from such a talented cast of stars will be the envy of just about every jockey in the weighing room. However, Townend’s privileged position does bring pressure to make the right decision.
While unlikely to have been straightforward, the leading rider at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival kept the faith with the horse who carried him to a famous success in the 2024 edition.
I Am Maximus emerged as a brilliant winner two years ago, when scampering around the elbow to pull seven and a half lengths clear of Delta Work. Having raced off a mark of 159 that day, he attempted to defend his crown off 167 in 2025. While not quite managing to hold on to his title, he ran a mighty race to finish second to stablemate Nick Rockett.
His 2026 rating of 168 doesn’t make it easy, as he carries the top weight of 11st12lb once again. However, his proven ability over these unique obstacles is a big factor in his favour. If the JP McManus-owned runner comes home in front, he would become the first horse to reclaim his title having lost it since the legendary Red Rum won the race for a third time in 1977.
Interrupted Prep Sees Mullins Jump Ship
With Paul Townend nailing his colours to the I Am Maximus mast, most expected that Patrick Mullins would take the ride aboard the defending champ, Nick Rockett. Having teamed up so spectacularly with the gelding in 2025, it would surely be tough to desert him now.
Nevertheless, Patrick has turned down Nick Rockett in favour of the 2025 third-place finisher, Grangeclare West. Having appeared only once this season – finishing third at Down Royal in March – a lack of match practice appears to have been the key factor behind the decision. Summing up his reasoning, the jockey stated:
“It was a very difficult decision, but we’re told the last winner with only one prep run was Aldaniti in 1981.”
Grangeclare West certainly catches the eye on this season’s form. Last time out, he won the Bobbyjo Chase in fine style – the same race won by I Am Maximus in 2024 and Nick Rockett in 2025. Only three pounds higher than when finishing a three-length third last season, this Cheveley Park Stud runner has plenty in his favour.
Bellamy the Beneficiary of Plum Spare Ride
As far as third-choice runners go, they don’t come much stronger than the reigning champion, particularly in a race with such distinctive demands as the Aintree Grand National. Having been passed over by both Paul Townend and Patrick Mullins, English jockey Tom Bellamy will now ride Nick Rockett.
Recently promoted to the number position at the Wiltshire yard of Alan King, the 31-year-old is already enjoying a year to remember. A total of 64 wins in 2025/26 represents a career best tally. The highlight of the season to date came in March, when Bellamy claimed a first success at the Cheltenham Festival in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Yet to go close in the Aintree showpiece, Bellamy’s most recent attempt resulted in a broken wrist following the fall of Broadway Boy in 2025. Given the year he is having and the talent of his mount, it will be no surprise to see the popular rider fare better in 2026. Only four pounds higher than when finishing two and a half lengths clear of I Am Maximus 12 months ago, Nick Rockett looks fairly handicapped to go close once again
With the hours counting down to the big race, the market mirrors the decisions of the jockeys. I Am Maximus heads the early betting at a general 7/1, followed by Grangeclare West at a widely available 9/1. Nick Rockett is now a general 16/1 shot, but likely to prove a popular each-way option in the biggest betting event of the British sporting year.