The world’s biggest steeplechase is upon us as soon as once more! The Weekend Winners staff are again to preview the 2026 Randox Grand Nationwide – every nominating their prime three for Aintree’s showpiece.
A most area of 34 runners have assembled for the race, with 2024 winner I Am Maximus heading the betting for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
Coral Gold Cup winner Panic Assault can also be outstanding available in the market, alongside final 12 months’s third Grangeclare West and JP McManus’ Jagwar, Johnnywho and Iroko.
Declan Rix…
“I’m siding with an old friend to win the Grand National this year in Imperial Saint, who has really good course form not over the National fences, but on the Mildmay course. He really came alive in a competitive handicap at this meeting last year. He looks like he is crying out for a marathon trip and he is overpriced.
“Johnnywho – who gained the Ultima on the Cheltenham Competition – I would like on my facet as winners of that race have an amazing file in right here, with Corach Rambler touchdown this race a couple of years in the past. The primary time cheekpieces actually sharpened him up that day and he ran a cracker within the Grand Sefton over these fences and he is six kilos effectively in from his Cheltenham win.
Johnnywho returns to motion at Aintree on Saturday
“To fill the frame, I will side with Iroko, who ran with plenty of credit in this race last year. He has run really well this year, winning at Ascot before disappointing in the Ultima at Cheltenham. He’s up in the weights on last year but the wind operation has helped him a lot, so I think he could be bang there.”
Declan’s 1-2-3
1st Imperial Saint
2nd Johnnywho
third Iroko
Host Kate Tracey…
“So, I have eight trends that help try and find the winner of the National and these horses hopefully meet the right profiles. I’m really confident on the chances of Johnnywho who perfectly fits into the trends, ticking plenty of boxes.
“Ultimate Orders is my second choice. He’s two years too previous however he has the right score, excellent weight and was a winner final day trip. He has been seen to win at Cheltenham within the Cross Nation and will likely be outstanding with out main. I actually like his possibilities for this 12 months’s race.
“Rounding off the third of my picks will be Spanish Harlem, who ticks less boxes than the ones above but is a massive price and could outrun his odds. He did pull up last time but has had four runs and races prominently – which is ideal for this race. I think he is underestimated from the Willie Mullins yard.”
Kate’s 1-2-3
1st Johnnywho
2nd Ultimate Orders
third Spanish Orders
Sam Boswell…
“My first choice is Monty’s Star. You have to return to December 2023 to search out his final win, however he has been eating on the prime desk in latest occasions. The final run was a good effort on the Dublin Racing Competition on floor I do not suppose he would have appreciated. Henry de Bromhead has an amazing file within the race and this horse suits all the proper profiles to win this. He is off a pleasant mark and I can see him shortening.
“Oscar’s Brother could be a real story of the Grand National, with the trainer Connor King only having two horses in training with this one owned by JP McManus. He’s got bits and pieces of form and has shown plenty of improvement in all his starts. His run at Cheltenham was really good and up in trip could see him to better effect.
“My third choice within the race is Captain Cody, who chinned me final 12 months within the Scottish Nationwide. He appears like he ought to relish the journey and has been focused for this race since that day. He has a very good likelihood if getting right into a rhythm early on.”
Sam’s 1-2-3
1st Monty’s Star
2nd Oscar’s Brother
third Amirite
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