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Grand National 2026 Tips - Odds, Trends and Final Selections

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Sat 11 Apr 2026 11:43

Jon Vine 11 Apr 2026

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Odds, key trends and best bets for the 2026 Grand National
This famous handicap takes place at Aintree on Saturday 11th April
Panic Attack, Gerri Colombe and Champ Kiely are our Grand National tips

Expired

The Grand National at Aintree. (Getty)

Grand National Guide

2026 Grand National Odds
Grand National Key Trends
2026 Grand National Tips - Panic Attack
2026 Grand National Tips - Gerri Colombe
2026 Grand National Tips - Champ Kiely
Live Stream
Grand National 2026 FAQs

Here's our free guide to the 2026 Grand National, featuring three selections for this famous handicap at Aintree.

The field has been finalised and the jockey bookings confirmed for Saturday's Grand National. Here's our guide, including odds, trends and best betting tips.

2026 Grand National Odds

Name	Odds
I Am Maximus	7/1
Panic Attack	17/2
Grangeclare West	9/1
Jagwar	10/1
Johnnywho	11/1
Iroko	12/1
Captain Cody	14/1
Bar	16/1

Odds updated at 2:00pm on 9.4.26

Grand National Key Trends

13 of the last 13 winners ran in a high-profile race last time out
13 of the last 13 winners had run at least 3 times that season
12 of the last 13 winners were aged between 8 and 11
11 of the last 13 winners had won no more than two handicap chases
11 of the last 13 winners had their last run in February or March
11 of the last 13 winners were rated 146 or higher
11 of the last 13 winners finished no worse than 5th last time out
11 of the last 13 winners had won or placed over 3m2f or further
10 of the last 13 winners had won that season
10 of the last 13 winners had never run over the Grand National fences before
10 of the last 13 winners had won a chase over at least 3m
9 of the last 13 winners had started at least 10 races over fences
8 of the last 13 winners carried 10-13 or less

2026 Grand National Tips - Panic Attack

I pinned my colours to PANIC ATTACK (17/2) nice and early, tipping Dan Skelton's mare up at 25/1 the week after Cheltenham. Panic Attack has been in the form of her life this season, and ran a lovely prep-race for Aintree at the Festival.

I backed Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup earlier in the season, and was delighted when she claimed victory in that valuable handicap. I wasn't keen on her chances in the Coral Gold Cup, on the back of a mere two-week turnaround. Yet, Tristan Durrell's mount travelled comfortably behind the leaders throughout and strode six lengths clear after the final flight to win that famous handicap without being asked any serious questions.

I did plenty right on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, but in hindsight, I shouldn't have napped Panic Attack in the Mares' Chase. 11/4 was far too short a price to take on a handicapper in an open Grade Two, and Harry's mount came up short as Dinoblue held off Only By Night in the finish.

I'm sure Skelton will have been delighted with the way his mare travelled and jumped around Cheltenham. Panic Attack simply came up against two proper Grade One-quality mares, over a trip that was probably a little too sharp on fairly fast ground.

Back in handicap company at Aintree, Panic Attack should be much more effective. Harry Skelton can do 10-5 easily, and I fancy Dan Skelton's mare will run another massive race.

undefined — Harry Skelton riding Panic Attack (orange) clear the last to win Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. (Getty)

2026 Grand National Tips - Gerri Colombe

My one drawback with Panic Attack is whether she has the class of a Grade One or a Grade Two horse. As the severity of the Grand National fences has lessened in recent years, top-weights have tended to dominate the race, with the majority of the winners and placers carrying 11-4 or more.

I've got a top-class handicapper in the Grand National book with Panic Attack, now I want a proven graded performer. I was hoping that would be Spillane's Tower, but with good ground likely on Grand National day, he's much more likely to take up his entry in the Aintree Bowl instead.

GERRI COLOMBE (25/1) has claimed top honours twice here at Aintree. An impressive winner of the Mildmay in 2023, Gordon Elliott's star finished a close second behind Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup, and went on to claim a narrow victory in the Aintree Bowl less than a month after that monster effort at Cheltenham.

Elliott's ten-year-old missed most of last season, and struggled on his first couple of starts this term. Gerri Colombe then ran a lovely race in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, finishing second behind the excellent Grangeclare West.

Jack Kennedy's mount returned to winning ways in a low-key contest at Down Royal last month, beating the old-timer Roi Mage and an undercooked Nick Rockett. What I liked about that performance was how well Gerri Colombe travelled and jumped on good ground - something that Gordon Elliott's horses don't seem to enjoy.

In total, Gerri Colombe has won five Grade Ones, two have come around Aintree and two have come on quickish ground. Gordon Elliott has done a fantastic job nursing his former stable star back to peak form this season, and Gerri Colombe is still capable of clocking an RPR in the 170s.

2026 Grand National Tips - Champ Kiely

Another former Grade One winner that can be backed at a tasty price is CHAMP KIELY (33/1). Danny Mullins gave Willie's ten-year-old an excellent ride at the Punchestown Festival last April, picking off Ballyburn before the final flight and storming six lengths clear on the run to the line.

Champ Kiely has been able to show his class over a number of different distances and surfaces. Willie Mullins's star won the Grade One Lawlor's Of Naas Novices' Hurdle in his younger days, and won on good, soft and heavy ground during his novice season over fences.

Paul Townend was in the saddle when Champ Kiely was only beaten a short-head by the excellent Only By Night when he made his reappearance in the two-mile Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas in November. Harry Cobden was then flung to the ground when Champ Kiely clipped heels with another runner on the first bend in the Savills Chase over Christmas, and his two runs since then haven't been particularly inspiring.

Champ Kiely has an excellent record when fresh, and comes into the Grand National on the back of a 68-day absence. Danny Mullins returns to his saddle for the first time since their Grade One success at Punchestown last season, and Willie's ten-year-old has been handed a lenient opening handicap mark of 157.

Live Stream

Visit our Grand National Live Stream page if you want to watch this famous race via a mobile or tablet.

Grand National 2026 FAQs

When is the 2026 Grand National being run?

The 2026 Grand National takes place at Aintree on Saturday, April 11. The National is due to start at 4:00pm.

How many horses can run in the Grand National?

A maximum of 34 horses can take part in the Grand National. The field size was reduced from 40 in recent years as part of changes to improve safety.

How long is the Grand National course?

The Grand National is run over 4 miles, 2 furlongs and 74 yards, making it the longest race in the British jumps calendar.

Who will win the 2026 Grand National?

I Am Maximus is the favourite to win back his Grand National crown. Dan Skelton's mare Panic Attack looks to have a big chance. Grade One winners like Grangeclare West, Gerri Colombe and Champ Kiely add further class to this contest.

Where can I watch the 2026 Grand National?

The Grand National will be shown live on ITV Racing. Visit our site if you want to stream this famous race via a mobile device.

Verdict

Grand National 2026

Final Grand National Selections:

Panic Attack

2026 Grand National Tips

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Gerri Colombe E/W

2026 Grand National Tips

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Champ Kiely E/W

2026 Grand National Tips

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