The 2026 Randox Grand National entry stage has now closed, and a field of 78 horses has been put forward for the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree.
The list was revealed on February 3rd, and it marks a sharp decline from last year, when 90 horses were given the green light.
Even more worryingly, it’s down from 107 in 2022 and 126 ten years ago, but despite this, the depth of quality, particularly from Ireland, still means another fiercely competitive renewal is in store.
Irish Dominance And Leading Trainers
Irish trainers once again dominate the entry list, supplying around two‑thirds of the 78-strong field. Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are at the head of that challenge and, between them are responsible for a major share of the Irish contingent.
Willie Mullins has entered 15 horses, including recent Grand National winners Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus.
While this isn’t unusual for a trainer of his magnitude, historically, he has actually only saddled about five of his entries. Then again, when your horses finish first, second, third, and fifth, you really don’t need many more!
Gordon Elliott has put forward another large team of 12, featuring established staying chasers and several unexposed types. Similar to Mullins, he too will whittle down the numbers over the coming weeks, leaving around five or six runners in contention.
Ireland has produced six of the last seven Grand National winners, underlining its current stranglehold on the race. With Joseph O’Brien, Henry De Bromhead, Gavin Cromwell, Mags Mullins, and Thomas Gibney also holding entries, the Irish trainers hold 49 of the 78 entries.
British trainers still have a strong presence, but they are clearly outnumbered at the entry stage, making Iroko, trained in Britain, a notable standard bearer for the home team.
That said, Haiti Couleurs, Panic Attack, and Myretown are all prominent in the betting with Betway and, given the right circumstances, could easily make an impact on the day – if they run.
Major 2026 Contenders To Note
Several familiar names reappear among the 2026 entries, alongside some new faces stepping up to marathon company for the first time.
Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins, Ireland): Last year’s Grand National winner heads the Mullins squad and bids for back‑to‑back victories.
I Am Maximus (Willie Mullins, Ireland): The 2024 National hero is also in the line‑up, giving Mullins two previous winners in the same race.
Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, Britain): Fourth in last year’s renewal and currently among the early favourites, flying the flag for the British challenge.
Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis, Britain): Winner of last season’s Irish Grand National and the Welsh Grand National in December. Also has Gold Cup aspirations.
Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton, Britain): A top-level chaser with one eye on the Cheltenham Gold Cup, whose National entry gives connections an intriguing dual option.
Grand National 2026 Entries
- Ain't That A Shame (GB), Tom Ellis
- Amirite (IRE), Henry De Bromhead
- Answer To Kayf (IRE), Terence O'Brien
- Anyway (IRE), David Kenneth Budds
- Appreciate It (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Banbridge (IRE), Joseph O'Brien
- Beaufort Scale (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Beauport (GB), Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- Better Days Ahead (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Blaze The Way (IRE), Margaret Mullins
- Blizzard Of Oz (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Buddy One (IRE), Paul John Gilligan
- Captain Cody (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Champ Kiely (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Croke Park (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Deafening Silence (GB), Dan Skelton
- Deep Cave (GB), Christian Williams
- Favori De Champdou (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Final Orders (IRE), Gavin Cromwell
- Firefox (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Flooring Porter (IRE), Gavin Cromwell
- French Dynamite (IRE), Eric McNamara
- Gentlemans Game (IRE), Mouse Morris
- Gerri Colombe (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Gorgeous Tom (IRE), Henry de Bromhead
- Grangeclare West (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Grey Dawning (GB), Dan Skelton
- Handstands (GB), Ben Pauling
- Harry Des Ongrais (IRE), Henry de Bromhead
- Haiti Couleurs (GB), Rebecca Curtis
- High Class Hero (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Hyland (GB), Nicky Henderson
- I Am Maximus (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Ile Atlantique (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Impaire Et Passe (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Imperial Saint (GB), Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
- In d'Or (GB), Fergal O'Brien
- Intense Raffles (IRE), Thomas Gibney
- Iroko (GB), Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Jagwar (GB), Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
- Johnnywho (GB), Jonjo & A J O'Neill
- Jordans (IRE), Joseph O'Brien
- Leave Of Absence (GB), Anthony Honeyball
- Lecky Watson (IRE), Willie Mullins
- L'Homme Presse (GB), Venetia Williams
- Marble Sands (GB), David Killahena & Graeme McPherson
- Mister Coffey (GB), Nicky Henderson
- Monbeg Genius (GB), Jonjo & A J O'Neill
- Monty's Star (IRE), Henry De Bromhead
- Mr Vango (GB), Sara Bradstock
- Myretown (GB), Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
- Nick Rockett (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Now Is The Hour (IRE), Gavin Cromwell
- O'Moore Park (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Oscars Brother (IRE), Connor King
- Paggane (GB), Faye Bramley
- Panic Attack (GB), Dan Skelton
- Perceval Legallois (IRE), Gavin Cromwell
- Pic Roc (GB), Ben Pauling
- Pied Piper (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Quai De Bourbon (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Resplendent Grey (GB), Olly Murphy
- Search For Glory (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Shanbally Kid (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Soul Icon (GB), Keiran Burke
- Spanish Harlem (IRE), Willie Mullins
- Spillane's Tower (IRE), Jimmy Mangan
- Stellar Story (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Stolen Silver (GB), Georgia Nicholls
- The Real Whacker (IRE), Paddy Neville
- The Short Go (IRE), Henry de Bromhead
- Three Card Brag (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Top Of The Bill (GB), Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
- Twig (GB), Ben Pauling
- Western Fold (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Weveallbeencaught (IRE), Eric McNamara
- Will Do (IRE), Gordon Elliott
- Yeah Man (IRE), Gavin Cromwell
New 72‑Hour Declarations And Extra Reserves
For 2026, The Jockey Club has confirmed a significant change to how the final Grand National field is set, moving the last declaration stage from 48 to 72 hours before the race.
That means the full list of 34 runners and their jockeys will now be locked in on the Wednesday before the National, rather than on Thursday as in previous years.
The move brings the Grand National into line with other global racing showpieces such as the Melbourne Cup and Kentucky Derby, which already operate on a three‑day declaration window.
It also gives trainers, owners, and fans a longer, clearer build‑up to the race, with less late guesswork over who will actually line up at Aintree.
Because a longer gap between declarations and raceday slightly increases the chance of non‑runners, the number of reserves has also been expanded from four to six.
Those six reserves sit just outside the main 34, ready to come into the race in strict order if any of the declared runners are withdrawn up to 1pm on the day before the National.
The aim is to maximise the likelihood of a full 34‑runner field actually going to post, despite the earlier cut‑off point.
What Happens Next?
From here, the entries will progress through the usual stages: weights will be published on February 17th, horses will be scratched or rerouted, and the picture gradually sharpens as Cheltenham and other spring races provide fresh clues.
Confirmation stages will trim the 78 entries down, before the final declarations lock in the 34-strong field in the week of the race.
For now, though, we can just speculate as to which of the 78 entries will actually win the 2026 Grand National. Can Willie Mullins make it three in a row? Can Gordon Elliott win a historic fourth race? Or will a new trainer emerge victorious on April 11th, 2026?
More importantly, will you pick the winner??
