34 horses taking part in this afternoon The Great National Team have been officially confirmed.
The line-up is headlined by the favourite, I Am Maximus, who won Iconic jogging for coach Willie Mullins in 2024.
But there is no room for 2025 winner, Nick Rockettwho was forced to withdraw from the race on Thursday morning after being found with a cough.
The beneficiary of this dramatic development is Imperial Saint, trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, who will now take to the starting line after first reserve Pied Piper was also forced to withdraw.
But despite the surprise blow to Willie Mullins, the legendary coach still has two of last year’s top three participating in the 2026 edition with I Am Maximus, joined by Grangeclare West.
A fourth Grand National victory for the Irishman would see him join Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as the most successful trainers in the race’s history.
Paul Townend will once again ride I Am Maximus, while Patrick Mullins will breathe a sigh of relief after switching from Nick Rockett at Grangeclare West before the former’s withdrawal was announced.
Spillane’s Tower, who had been named in the initial starting list, withdrew from the proceedings after running in the Bowl race on Thursday with Amirite taking her place.
I Am Maximus is the current favorite at 7/1, ahead of the likes of Grangeclare West (9/1), Panic Attack (9/1) and Jagwar (9/1).
Grand National confirmed runners and riders
1. I am Maximus
7-1
Rider: Paul Townend
Coach: Willie Mullins
2. Imperial saint
50-1
Rider: Callum Pritchard
Coach: Philip Hobbs and Johnson White
3. Banbridge
33-1
Rider: JJ Slevin
Coach: Joseph O’Brien
4. Grangeclare West
9-1
Rider: Patrick Mullins
Coach: Willie Mullins
5. Gerry Colombe
25-1
Rider: Jack Kennedy
Coach: Gordon Elliott
6. Colors of Haiti
12-1
Rider: Sean Bowen
Coach: Rebecca Curtis
7. Friendship
80-1
Rider: Phillip Enright
Coach: Henry de Bromhead
8. Firefox
50-1
Rider: Keith Donoghue
Coach: Gordon Elliott
9. Monty’s Star
16-1
Rider: Darragh O’Keeffe
Coach: Henry de Bromhead
10. Spanish Harlem
33-1
Rider: Brian Hayes
Coach: Willie Mullins
11. Lecky Watson
28-1
Rider: Sean O’Keeffe
Coach: Willie Mullins
12. Champ Kiely
25-1
Rider: Danny Mullins
Coach: Willie Mullins
13. Iroquois
10-1
Rider: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Coach: Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero
14. Favori de Champdou
33-1
Rider: Danny Gillgan
Coach: Gordon Elliott
15. Three Card Brag
40-1
Rider: Jordan Gainford
Coach: Gordon Elliott
16. Oscars Brother
14-1
Rider: Daniel King
Coach: Connor King
17. Lord Vango
40-1
Rider: Jack Tudor
Coach: Sarah Bradstock
18. High class hero
50-1
Rider: James Bowen
Coach: Willie Mullins
19. Stellar Story
25-1
Rider: Robbie Dunne
Coach: Gordon Elliott
20. Beauport
66-1
Rider: Sam Twiston-Davies
Coach: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
21. Captain Cody
16-1
Rider: Jonathan Burke
Coach: Willie Mullins
22. Jaguar
9-1
Rider: Mark Walsh
Coach: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
23. Perceval Legalois
25-1
Rider: Harry Cobden
Coach: Gavin Cromwell
24. Awesome Tom
28-1
Rider: Sean Flanagan
Coach: Henry de Bromhead
25. The Real Whacker
66-1
Rider: Gavin Sheehan
Coach: Patrick Neville
26. Castle of Bourbon
25-1
Rider: Donna Meyler
Coach: Willie Mullins
27. Answer to Caiaphas
66-1
Rider: John Shinnick
Coach: Terence O’Brien
28. The Jordanians
33-1
Rider: Ben Jones
Coach: Joseph O’Brien
29. Final orders
20-1
Rider: Conor Stone-Walsh
Coach: Gavin Cromwell
30. Marble sand
125-1
Rider: Kielan Woods
Coach: David Killahena and Graeme McPherson
31. Panic attack
8-1
Rider: Harry Skelton
Coach: Dan Skelton
32. Top Of The Bill
100-1
Rider: Toby McCain-Mitchell
Coach: Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
33. Johnnywho
12-1
Rider: Richie McLernon
Coaches: Jonjo and AJ O’Neill
34. Branch
50-1
Rider: Beau Morgan
Coach: Ben Pauling
This is the first time in Grand National history that the final declarations have been made 72 hours before the big race.
Traditionally, the final line-up was confirmed 48 hours before the start, but organizers the Jockey Club have introduced the change in a bid to build more anticipation for the National during the week.
Movement brings Aintree exhibition in line with other major horse racing events, including the Epsom Derby, which did so last year.
This is also the third time that the National Team has been held with 34 runners since the field was reduced from 40 in 2024.
The downsizing is intended to increase the overall safety of the event, with the race known as one of the most dangerous in the sport.
