With the 2026 Grand National just around the corner, the final list of contenders has been narrowed to 34 runners. Analysis of past trends reveals that although following them doesn't ensure success, some patterns consistently match among winners. This year's race sees Favori De Champdou, Final Orders, and Johnnywho leading as trendsetters, each missing just one out of the 13 key trends. The most recurrent trends among past winners include running in a high-profile race priorly, having raced three times in the season, and achieving no more than two handicap chase wins.
Key trends and stats ahead for the 2026 Grand National
This famous handicap takes place at Aintree on Saturday 11th April
Favori De Champdou, Final Orders and Johnnywho came out best at the trends
Richie McLernon riding Johnnywho (right) celebrates winning the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)
We're now just days away from the 2026 renewal of the Grand National. The final field may have been reduced to 34 runners, but we can still look forward to a fantastic renewal of this famous handicap come April 5th.
Before the three previous Grand Nationals, I've gathered a list of key recurring ten-year trends that could help point punters in the right direction. 2023 winner Corach Rambler, 2024 scorer I Am Maximus, and last year's winner Nick Rockett all ticked off 11 of the 13 recurring trends. However, none of the top three trends performers in 2023 finished inside the first ten, 2024 trendsetter Galia Des Liteaux finished eighth, and the top two performers from 2025, Beauport and Vanillier finished 12th and 14th respectively - so fulfilling the trends doesn't guarantee Grand National success.
Here are the key Grand National trends again, and a look at how this year's contenders stack up.
2026 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 Trendsetters
Name
Trends
Missing Trend 1
Missing Trend 2
FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU
12/13
Weight (11-1)
FINAL ORDERS
12/13
Handicap Wins (5)
JOHNNYWHO
12/13
3m2f+ Wins (0)
GRANGECLARE WEST
11/13
Weight (11-10)
Grand National Experience (1)
GERRI COLOMBE
11/13
Weight (11-10)
High Profile Race LTO (No)
SPILLANE'S TOWER
11/13
Weight (11-10)
Days Off The Track (77)
OSCARS BROTHER
11/13
Chase Starts (6)
3m2f+ Wins (0)
BEAUPORT
11/13
Seasonal Wins (0)
Grand National Experience (1)
CAPTAIN CODY
11/13
Seasonal Wins (0)
Chase Starts (9)
ANSWER TO KAYF
11/13
Chase Starts (8)
3m2f+ Wins (0)
PANIC ATTACK
11/13
Chase Starts (9)
Handicap Wins (3)
TOP OF THE BILL
11/13
Handicap Wins (5)
3m2f+ Wins (0)
FAVOURI DE CHAMPDOU was only two pounds away from ticking off all 13 trends in this year's Grand National. Gordon Elliott's 11-year-old has been in sparkling form this season, and heads to Aintree on the back of a runner-up effort in the Cross Country Chase.
FINAL ORDERS got the better of Favouri De Champdou at the Cheltenham Festival. Gavin Cromwell's 11-year-old also ticked off 12 of the 13 key trends, with only the fact that he's won five handicaps over fences letting him down.
Another Cheltenham Festival winner, JOHNNYWHO missed out on top spot by just one missing trend. Jonjo and AJ O'Neill's star finally claimed his first major victory over fences in the Ultima at Cheltenham, but as that race is only 3m1f, Johnnywho still hasn't won over 3m2f or further.
Last year's third, Grangeclare West was one of nine entrants to tick off 11 of the 13 key trends. The well-fancied duo of Panic Attack and Oscars Brother came out well against the trends too, along with Gerri Colombe, Spillane's Tower, Captain Cody, Answer To Kayf, Beauport and Top Of The Bill.
Final Order (left) beating Favori De Champdou (right) in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)
2026 Grand National Trends Worst Performers
Name
Trends
JAGWAR
7/13
QUAI DE BOURBON
7/13
JORDANS
7/13
NICK ROCKETT
8/13
MONTY'S STAR
8/13
LECKY WATSON
8/13
CHAMP KIELY
8/13
IROKO
8/13
PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS
8/13
GORGEOUS TOM
8/13
THE REAL WHACKER
8/13
SOUL ICON
8/13
HYLAND
8/13
The three seven-year-olds in the field all come out worst against the key Grand National trends. JAGWAR, second to Johnnywho in the Ultima, QUAI DE BOURBON and JORDANS ticked off just seven of the 13 key trends.
None of the three has won this season, had over ten starts over fences, or won over three miles or further. Jagwar has already won four handicaps over the larger obstacles, while both Quai De Bourbon and Jordans come into Aintree on the back of a low-profile handicap appearance at Leopardstown in March.
Defending champion, Nick Rockett was one of 10 entrants who fulfilled only eight of the 13 trends. Iroko, Perceval Legallois and Hyland all ran in the race 12 months ago. Monty's Star, Gorgeous Tom, Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, The Real Whacker and Soul Icon also missed out by five trends.
Verdict
Favori De Champdou, Final Orders and Johnnywho are the top trendsetters for the 2026 Grand National.
2023 Grand National Trend Setter: Favori De Champdou 2026 Grand National @33/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Final Orders 2026 Grand National @25/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet3: Johnnywho 2026 Grand National @16/1 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
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