The horse racing broadcaster discusses every horse in the 2026 Grand National at Aintree and picks out his top five.
1. I AM MAXIMUS. Winner in 2024 and runner up last year. Campaigned in Grade 1 races since then and has lots of class. Choice of Paul Townend and will make a bold bid to regain his crown. *****
2. NICK ROCKETT Non Runner
3. BANBRIDGE. King George winner and narrowly beaten in the same race this year. Likes good ground and has never run in a handicap over fences. Big issue is his whether he will stay. ***
4. GRANGECLARE WEST. 3rd last year despite an error at the last. Winner of the Bobbyjo Chase last time which has thrown up the National winner in both the last two seasons. Solid claims ****
5. GERRI COLOMBE. Back to winning ways last time but has often finished weakly in the past. Has won a Grade 1 here on the Mildmay course but may not be robust enough for this sort of test. **
6. HAITI COULEURS. Former Welsh and Irish National winner who has made great progress in the last two seasons. The handicapper has hiked him up though and he was well beaten in the Gold Cup last time. ***
7. SPILLANE’S TOWER Non Runner
8. FIREFOX. Like Haiti Couleurs was well beaten in the Gold Cup and seems to be trying to reinvent himself as a stayer these days. Unexposed at the trip but hard to see it suiting. **
9. MONTY’S STAR. Ran well for a long way in the Irish Gold Cup. Would be suited by any further rain but looks well handicapped and one of the leading contenders. *****
10. SPANISH HARLEM. In front when unseating at the last in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January but well held either side of that run. **
11. LECKY WATSON. His Brown Advisory win at the 2025 Festival proved weak and 3m has also looked his limit. Little appeal. *
12. CHAMP KIELY. Yet to run in a handicap of any description but has some long breaks in his history and whilst he may show up for a while it looks unlikely he will be involved at the business end. **
13. IROKO. Best British finisher when 4th last year. Won at Ascot in December but then rather surprisingly rerouted from Kelso to a handicap at the Festival where he ran poorly. Yard are a bit quiet and all of a sudden has questions to answer. ***
14. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU. Has excelled over the Cross Country fences this season which has borne dividends for these connections in the past with Tiger Roll. He gets very lit up in the preliminaries however and may have run his race before it even begins. **
15. THREE CARD BRAG. 11th last year off a 10lb lower mark so would need to step up significantly on that. Did run a creditable 2nd in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury behind Panic Attack. **
16. OSCARS BROTHER. Has had an excellent season for his two horse stable but would prefer more cut in the ground and his risen significantly in the handicap as a result of those efforts. ***
17. MR VANGO. Just touched off by Twig in the Becher Chase over these fences in December but ground looks too lively and he has failed to complete on two subsequent runs. Will be up with the pace. **
18. HIGH CLASS HERO. Another who has failed to complete on his last two runs. He placed at Sandown at the back end of last season but it would require a significant leap of faith for him to perform to anything like that level here. **
19. STELLAR STORY. Beat The Jukebox Man when winning 2024 Albert Bartlett. A dour stayer who will keep going but just may lack the tactical speed on this ground, ***
20. BEAUPORT. Runs in the colours of 1983 winner Corbiere. Ran well for a long way last season before fading quickly from the 2nd last. Approached the race in better form 12 months ago and may be better on a slower surface, **
21. CAPTAIN CODY. Scottish National winner who has struggled to cope with the rise in the handicap he got after that win. Looks high enough off this mark and can make the odd error. Will be suited by the ground. **
22. JAGWAR. Worry is he may get too far back as his jumping can lack fluency but has a big engine and qualified for the National with his Festival placing last time. Unexposed at the trip but if he can stay in touch he has more potential than most others off this mark. ****
23. PERCIVAL LEGALLOIS. Was sent off as short as 10-1 for the race last season when falling at Valentines first time. Made late ground at Tramore on New Years Day and very much appeals as a lively outsider with Harry Cobden booked. *****
24. GORGEOUS TOM. 4th in the Coral Gold Cup coming from further back than most and at a time when his yard was quiet. Stamina is a query. ***
25. THE REAL WHACKER. A thorough stayer who just seems to have lost his way at present. Likely to be up with the pace early. *
26. QUAI DE BOURBON. More letters than numbers in recent starts. One of his better efforts last time but his completion record is an obvious concern. **
27. ANSWER TO KAYF. Would prefer deeper ground and handicapper looks to have his measure. Would have been behind Spanish Harlem but for that one’s departure at the last in the Thyestes. **
28. JORDANS. Likely to have more behind than in front. *
29. FINAL ORDERS. Twice a winner this season over the Cross Country fences and looks likely to have the ground to suit. Runs off the same mark as his Festival win and could give a good account. ****
30. MARBLE SANDS. Stepped up markedly in trip when winning at Cheltenham in November and seemed to find a better rhythm. That is not always the case however and he may find himself on the backfoot from an early stage. **
31. PANIC ATTACK. Already won two big handicaps this season in the Paddy Power and Coral Gold Cups. Sound jumper who has improved massively this season relatively late in her career. ****
32. TOP OF THE BILL. 2nd in the Haydock trial but this looks a good deal tougher and he may lack the class to figure. *
33. JONNYWHO . Runs off the same mark as when beating Jagwar (Iroko behind) in the Ultima at the Festival. Appears much more versatile ground wise these days and after a quiet season the yard are finishing it well. Definitely one to consider. *****
34. TWIG. All out to beat Mr Vango in the Becher but this looks a good deal tougher. **
Reserve 1 – IMPERIAL SAINT. Promoted reserve who has run well several times here on the Mildmay course. Got badly hampered at Cheltenham before making good late headway. Runs in the family colours of former Champion Jockey Richard Johnson who never won the race. Can outrun his odds. ****
Reserve 2 – AMIRITE. Promoted reserve who was 4th over these fences in the Topham and placed in the Galway Plate last summer off a higher mark. Can ignore his last run as was over hurdles where he has never excelled. ***
Richard Hoiles’ Grand National 1-2-3-4-5
J P McManus has a really strong hand headed by I Am Maximus who proven record round here makes him preferred to Percival Legallois who looks overpriced. Imperial Saint is another outsider who can run well whilst Monty’s Star and Johnnywho can make the frame.
1. I AM MAXIMUM 15/2
2. PERCIVAL LEGALLOIS 25/1
3. MONTY’S STAR 12/1
4. JOHNNYWHO 10/1
5. IMPERIAL SAINT 40/1
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