Every April, the Grand National pulls in a very different kind of betting crowd. Plenty of regular punters will study the form and weigh things up, but millions more will take a far simpler route.
They scan the racecard, pause for a second, and land on a name that feels right.
In 2026, one name that keeps coming up is Gorgeous Tom.
For a race like this, that matters more than many people realise.
Why Names Matter More Than Form
On a normal Saturday, betting shops and apps are filled with people who follow racing closely. They know trainers, track conditions, and recent runs.
The Grand National is different.
It draws in casual punters, many of whom will place just one bet all year. Their choice is rarely based on ratings or sectional times. It is about connection.
Research from Entain, the group behind Ladbrokes and Coral, found that 35 percent of Grand National bets are placed purely on a horse’s name. Fewer than one in three people look at form.
That tells you everything about the race.
People are not trying to solve a puzzle. They just want a runner to cheer home.
The Pull of a Familiar Name
Some names carry a quiet sort of weight, and “Tom” is one of them.
It has been common in Britain for generations, appearing regularly in records from the Office for National Statistics. It has never really gone out of fashion.
It is the sort of name you hear across families, across age groups, across the country.
That is what makes Gorgeous Tom stand out.
It sounds friendly. Familiar. The kind of name that could belong to someone you know. Say it out loud and it feels like it has been around forever.
For many people, that is enough. The decision is made before they even glance at the odds.
Other Names That Will Catch the Eye
Gorgeous Tom will not be the only horse drawing this kind of support.
There are always a few runners each year that attract attention for reasons that have nothing to do with racing ability.
Nick Rockett is an easy one. There are plenty of Nicks about, and that alone will earn it a following.
Gerri Colombe might sound a bit different at first, but once you strip it back, it still feels close to “Gerry”, a name many will relate to.
Monty’s Star has an older feel to it, the sort of name that resonates with a certain generation.
Captain Cody has a steady, familiar tone. It is the kind of name people warm to quickly.
Oscars Brother feels personal straight away. Many will know an Oscar, or be related to one, and that link is enough.
Then there is Johnnywho, which almost invites a smile from anyone called John or Johnny.
None of these choices are based on form. That is not the point. This is what makes the race what it is.
The Racing Case for Gorgeous Tom
Here is where things take a more serious turn.
Unlike many horses backed for sentimental reasons, Gorgeous Tom has a solid case on the track too.
He is trained by Henry de Bromhead, who won the race in 2021 with Minella Times under Rachael Blackmore. That alone gives him a strong foundation.
After running in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse, where he finished fourth in a large field, his trainer made it clear that the National was the target. That performance came over three miles and two furlongs, and he travelled well for most of the race before tiring late.
At eight years old, he fits the usual age range for recent winners. His weight of 10st 9lb also sits in a favourable area compared to past results.
There is another factor. Irish-trained horses have dominated the race in recent years, and he fits that pattern.
There are still concerns. He has not raced at Aintree before, and those fences are very different from what most horses face. His latest run at Leopardstown Racecourse was not his strongest.
Even so, the plan has been in place for months, and it has not changed.
A Price That Keeps Him in the Conversation
At around 25/1, Gorgeous Tom sits in an interesting part of the market.
Most recent winners have come from shorter prices, but this range has still produced plenty of strong runs and placed horses.
In a race with more than 30 runners, bookmakers often pay out on several places, which makes each-way betting appealing.
That matters for a horse like this.
You can back him for personal reasons, whether it is the name or a family connection, and still feel like you have picked one with a fair chance of running well.
The Grand National has always been a race where logic and emotion meet.
For many, the choice begins and ends with a name.
This year, one name in particular seems to be everywhere, and it just happens to belong to a horse with a genuine chance of giving people a run for their money.
