Johnnywho has chosen his moment well. After landing the Ultima Handicap Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, the nine-year-old now heads to Aintree with growing support in the Grand National market.
What makes his case so strong is not just the win itself, but how quickly the reaction followed. Within minutes of crossing the line at Cheltenham, his odds for the National shortened sharply, pushing him towards the head of the betting.
The Ultima That Changed Everything
If there were signs in 2025 that Johnnywho was on the rise, Cheltenham in 2026 confirmed it.
Sent off at 18/1 in the Ultima Handicap Chase, he was not the main talking point beforehand, with stablemate Jagwar attracting more attention.
Ridden patiently by Richie McLernon, he was held up early before moving into contention at the right time. His jumping held together when the pressure increased, and on the run-in he proved stronger than Jagwar, giving JP McManus a one-two in the well-known green and gold colours.
It was also a landmark moment for the training partnership of Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, providing them with their first Cheltenham Festival winner together.
In recent seasons, the Ultima has become a race to watch for Grand National clues, with Corach Rambler completing the double in 2023.
The market reacted in kind. His National price was cut, with many pointing to his strong finish, reliable jumping, and the fact he would be well treated at the weights.
He is set to carry just 10st 4lb at Aintree, a figure that puts him in a favourable position in a race where weight can be decisive.
The O’Neill Approach
Behind Johnnywho is a training set-up that blends experience with a fresh approach.
Jonjo O’Neill has been here before, most notably when training Don’t Push It to win the Grand National in 2010, delivering AP McCoy his long-awaited success in the race.
AJ O’Neill has added a modern edge to the operation, while still working within the framework that has served the yard for years.
Their success at Cheltenham felt like a sign of things coming together at the right time. Johnnywho has been developed carefully, and his run in the Ultima looked like the result of a long-term plan rather than a sudden spike in form.
After the Festival, AJ confirmed that Aintree was always the next step and that the horse had come out of Cheltenham in good shape.
With that kind of preparation, Johnnywho arrives at the National with a clear and deliberate campaign behind him.
The Questions That Remain
No Grand National contender comes without doubts, and Johnnywho is no exception.
His experience over the Aintree fences offers some encouragement. He ran in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase in 2025, finishing sixth after being hampered at the Chair.
That run suggested he was comfortable enough over the obstacles. He stayed on well late on over a trip that may not have been ideal, hinting that a longer distance could suit him better.
The bigger concern is stamina at the full National trip. Four miles and two furlongs places a unique demand on any horse, and until he is tested over that distance, there will always be an element of uncertainty.
There is also the question of pace. In some of his runs at a higher level, he has been caught out when the tempo lifts, which could leave him with ground to make up if the race unfolds quickly early on.
A Contender Hiding in Plain Sight
When everything is put together, Johnnywho’s profile stands out more than it first appears.
He is a nine-year-old, carries a light weight, has just won a major Festival handicap, and comes from a yard that knows how to prepare a National winner. Add in the backing of McManus, and there is a strong foundation to his chance.
Currently sitting at 12/1 in the market, and he might not be the first name many casual punters pick. But when the field turns for home and the race begins to take shape, it would not be a surprise to see those green and gold silks still involved, carried by a horse who has been building towards this test for some time.
If Johnnywho does manage to follow up his Cheltenham success at Aintree, it may later feel as though his odds underestimated what he had already shown.
