The 2026 Randox Grand National: Lydia Hislop's horse-by-horse guide
By Lydia Hislop
Last Updated: Thu 9 Apr 2026
Lydia Hislop reveals a star rating out of five for every contender in this year's Randox Grand National! Who gets five stars from our star columnist, and who gets only one? Read more below as Lydia shares her thoughts on each of the 34 runners in Saturday's £1 million showpiece, live on Racing TV at 4pm!
Watch: Ruby Walsh, Lydia Hislop and Josh Stacey take an in-depth look at the 2026 Randox Grand National at Aintree and some of the big supporting races at the meeting.
LYDIA'S STAR SYSTEM
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Means business
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Capable of hitting the extended frame
⭐⭐⭐ = Might give you a brief shout
⭐⭐ = Bear with me whilst I contrive a theoretical chance
⭐ = Just no
1 I AM MAXIMUS
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 7-1.
Only fourth post-war National winner to clinch the following year’s runner-up spot when fading late from an 8lb higher mark in 2025. Unable to hold pitch after early mistake, probably due to stronger tempo on quicker ground than 12 months earlier – an uneventful, steadily run edition. Extra prep this term a positive, including unlucky Savills Chase second. Reapplied cheekpieces will help him travel.
2 NICK ROCKETT
Non-runner.
3 BANBRIDGE
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 50-1.
Smart chaser, who again underperformed at Cheltenham last time. Form better judged on flat tracks with soundish surface, as facing here. Versatile of trip to large degree. Yet career-best efforts in successive King Georges, each pepped by first-time headgear, were not strongly run scenarios at three miles. Should go well for long way but likely to fade.
4 GRANGECLARE WEST
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 9-1.
Too positively ridden last year yet every chance when critical last-fence error put tin lid on it. Rallied inexorably for third. Formerly setback-prone but has sustained two full seasons of training, notably shaping well when fourth in the Savills prior to nonchalant Bobbyjo success. 3lb higher than 2025 needs rare weight-carrying feat. Patrick Mullins had deserted titleholder for him at declaration stage.
5 GERRI COLOMBE
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.
2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up. Onward career thwarted by setbacks. Tentative return but spin over hurdles and application of cheekpieces since revived his appetite for jumping. Still brushed aside by Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo. Secured confidence-boosting gimme at Down Royal since. Stays well. Unproven in big fields. Choice of Jack Kennedy from Gordon Elliot’s quintet.
6 HAITI COULEURS
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 20-1.
Jumped and travelled enthusiastically at the fore when capping a progressive novice campaign with victory in last term’s Irish National. Added this season’s Welsh version with dominant display but flattered in a soft Denman Chase. Flopped at Grade One level either side – most recently when positively ridden in the Gold Cup, folding sharply before two out. Big ask to bounce back again.
7 SPILLANE’S TOWER
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.
Still unexposed but smart staying chaser. Favoured at weights in preferred soft ground when winning Cheltenham’s Cotswold Chase last time. Withdrawn from Gold Cup due to quickish going, as from this meeting last year. Connections had elected for Thursday’s Grade One Bowl but roll the dice here, praying for now-unforecast rain. Unproven in multi-runner handicaps. Trainer knows how to do this.
8 FIREFOX
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 66-1.
Underwhelmed on relatively lofty expectations as chaser, looking a tad trip-less. Ridden prudently cold to pick up pieces for fourth in well-run Irish Gold Cup. Outclassed and outstayed from two out when unable to get competitive in longer Cheltenham version last time. Marathon trip here raises larger stamina doubts. Unproven in big-field handicaps. His mark overeggs his achievements.
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9 MONTY’S STAR
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 18-1.
Smart and consistent but cut below his generation’s elite stayers. Conditioned via two encouraging runs at Leopardstown, neither quite rolling his way. Outpaced in steadily paced Savills, then paid for taking race to classier rivals in soundly run Irish Gold Cup. Long shaped as though marathon trip would suit but emerging big-field doubt. Stable jockey’s pick for trainer with robust National record.
10 SPANISH HARLEM
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 50-1.
Took 11 chases to shed maiden status but hinted at better when fourth in last term’s Bet365 Gold Cup, switched to positive tactics. Duly subdued the Kerry National. Would have added attritional Thyestes but for inexperienced rider’s soft unseat at last. Ran poorly in Coral Gold Cup and Bobbyjo when unable to dominate, possibly feeling effects of Gowran in latter. One-dimensional. Up against it.
11 LECKY WATSON
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.
Earmarked for National campaign from season’s outset by trainer bidding to join select band of four-time winners. Performed to script when sticking to unfavoured inside line in Savills. Failed to build his part in Irish Gold Cup and Bobbyjo but return to a sounder surface could revive last season’s surprise Brown Advisory winner. Can throw in errors. Stamina to prove. No big-field form. Still overpriced.
12 CHAMP KIELY
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.
Ended novice campaign brightly, winning a Punchestown Grade One amid madcap end-of-term vibe. Unable to build on solid return when upped in grade, folding cheaply at Tramore despite shaping as chief threat to winner. Stamina not yet proven even for a well-run three miles, let alone extreme trips. No big-field form. Can jump out to his left or right, dictated by which is least appropriate for the track.
13 IROKO
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 14-1.
Handbrake disengaged from second start this term, enabling first success in more than two years in a lesser race than his ability merits. Jumping lacked conviction in Ultima, though reportedly scoped dirty. Suspicion he struggles to hold pitch in good company on sound surface. Got behind early when fourth last year, never quite involved. Shade more juice this time helps. But his ship may have sailed.
14 FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 40-1.
Perverse veteran. Sprung 66/1 surprise in Leopardstown’s feature staying handicap at Christmas with blinkers reapplied, belying any notion he prefers right-handed tracks and testing ground. Surely revivified by cross-country discipline, winning at Cheltenham in January. Stroppy to post as Festival favourite but only unable to counter sprightly Final Orders, clear of rest. Chance of extended place.
15 THREE CARD BRAG
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 50-1.
Needed his enthusiasm curbing when eleventh in this last year yet only weakened from the vanguard entering the straight. Improved performer this term, his more settled demeanour offering greater hope for marathon trips. Looked to have needed the run after 84 days off, last time reportedly blowing hard afterwards, when dropping away from the home turn in the Bobbyjo. Extended p lace player.
16 OSCARS BROTHER
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 18-1.
Blossomed switched to fences this season, a sound if effortful jumping technique making up for what he lacks in size. Flattered against a non-stayer and then granted a soft lead in his first two starts in graded novices. Discomforted by the demanding early pace in Cheltenham’s Brown Advisory but allowed to find his feet under a patient ride, rallying late for fourth. Likeably game but in deeper again.
17 MR VANGO
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 66-1.
Hugely popular old-fashioned stayer. Expertly developed and campaigned by trainer Sara Bradstock. Unbeaten in three starts last season, culminating in Midlands National success. Narrowly went down fighting against on-song veteran Twig in an exhausting edition of the Becher over these fences. Uncharacteristically disengaged when pulled up both starts since. Needs testing ground; won’t get it.
18 HIGH CLASS HERO
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 80-1.
Entire case rests on last season’s Bet365 Gold Cup third, showing promise over a marathon trip on quickish going. Failed to build on encouraging reappearance, since pulling up in the Thyestes and Leinster National. Testing ground on both occasions perhaps against him but soon done with. Needs the sounder surface to spark revival or else just making up numbers for Willie Mullins.
19 STELLAR STORY
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 25-1.
Best effort this season in first-time blinkers and tongue-tie last time, conceding weight to principals in Bobbyjo and perhaps lacking match-fitness when fading late. Usually finds for pressure. Jumping still scrappy at times. Versatile ground-wise. Long shaped as though an extreme test of stamina in handicap company would reap improvement. Utterly unexposed in this scenario.
20 BEAUPORT
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 100-1.
At forefront of last year’s energetic pace until weakening quickly turning for home and finishing to twelfth. Jumped boldly and straighter than previous right-handed trait had suggested, but preference still detectable. Near identical warm-up campaign this season, except not in such good heart. Tongue-tie now added. Unlikely to improve materially on his 2025 showing.
21 CAPTAIN CODY
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 16-1.
Capped promising novice campaign with Scottish National success, his authority more comfortable than the one-length margin. Shaped well for return to marathon trips on first two starts this season. Beaten favourite when unseating five out in the Thyestes. Propensity to clout the odd fence not an aberration. Finished tired in the Bobbyjo last time but will enjoy return to sounder surface. Player.
22 JAGWAR
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 10-1.
Frustrating character, held back by invariably scruffy jumping yet rarely looks like falling. May oddly be more suited to this test than conventional fences. Improved again for step up to three miles in the Ultima, when refusing to look at the second last and duly blundering. Can do better again at marathon trips. First-time cheekpieces bring focus. Mark Walsh brings dogged optimism.
23 PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.
Error-prone. Threatened more than delivered until brace of significant Leopardstown wins last season over fences and hurdles. Fell without warning, though keen earlier, at Valentine’s first circuit when fancied here last year. Stamina for marathon trips remains doubt. Shaped fine when uncompetitive in better grade at Tramore. Harry Cobden awaits more straightforward chances from his new boss.
24 GORGEOUS TOM
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 28-1.
Consistent chaser, totally unexposed at extreme distances that promise to suit. Creditable efforts in highest grade as novice. Did best of those inconvenienced by standing start in Coral Gold Cup, making big move into straight before effort petered out against better positioned rivals. Shaped well over an inadequate trip on return from a break for his National prep. Soundish surface ideal.
25 THE REAL WHACKER
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 80-1.
Cheltenham Festival winning novice chaser three seasons ago, clinging on from Gerri Colombe. Mostly assigned exacting tasks subsequently. Honourable mentions as pace-forcing cast member. Below best this term, albeit twice running over hurdles. Yet match-fitness and first-time cheekpieces no help when trying to retain his Charlie Hall title in deeper edition. All aids off here. Hard to fancy.
26 QUAI DE BOURBON
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.
Talented novice, thwarted by clumsy jumping when unseating in last season’s Brown Advisory, brought down at Aintree, and flat-footed landings when third to Haiti Couleurs in the Irish National. Had lost his way entirely this season, pulling up in both the Troytown and Thyestes, until reapplied cheekpieces sparked some life at Leopardstown last time. Would prefer softer ground.
27 ANSWER TO KAYF
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 66-1.
Jaunty headed chaser. Promise for staying handicaps as novice. Compromised by zesty demeanour. Immediately upgraded his form on seasonal debut, making most in a mudlark’s Troytown. Found the sterner Thyestes stamina test too much, fading in the straight. Can back off fences or make ill-timed blunder. Suspicion he may need to dominate – a forlorn hope here. Perhaps not the heartiest.
28 JORDANS
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 33-1.
French recruit in his second season with Joseph O’Brien. Rounded off last season’s novice campaign strongly with pestering second at Grade One level at this meeting, staying 3m1f. Skiddled around all season, presumably with this in mind. Uncompetitively positioned in first three starts but only shaped encouragingly over hurdles at Leopardstown. Unable to see through effort last time. Unconvincing.
29 FINAL ORDERS
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 25-1.
Likeable character, proving versatile over the years. Reinvented as top-flight cross-country performer this season. Reportedly underwent breathing operation prior to out-speeding Favori De Champdou at the Festival. Neat, quick jumper who bounces off a sound surface. Receding threat of rain on watered ground a plus. Not versed in multi-runner conventional marathons, however. May find this too tough.
30 MARBLE SANDS
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 100-1.
Reinvented as marathon runner via unconventional Flat prep when winning over an extended trip at Cheltenham in October – a thoroughly run race on soft ground. At least matched that form when finding the Rowland Meyrick insufficient stamina test. Put aside for this race since in traditional, pre-Mullins style. Underperformed over short course of these fences in Topham, only big-field experience.
31 PANIC ATTACK
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 17-2.
Progressed rapidly over fences for Team Skelton, winning Paddy Power and Coral Gold Cups in dominant fashion. Outpaced against classy mares over too short a trip at Cheltenham. Unlikely stayer as daughter of multiple Group One-winning miler Canford Cliffs, yet best effort to date over longest trip encountered. Sure-footed jumper. Bids to become first mare to triumph since Nickel Coin in 1951.
32 TOP OF THE BILL
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 80-1.
Boasts many requisite qualities. Reliable jumper, thorough stayer, effective on flat tracks, goes well fresh. Improved form this season at Haydock, winning in November and going down fighting when second in the Peter Marsh. Formed a good partnership with conditional Toby McCain-Mitchell, whose family is synonymous with the National. Prone to sulking if he can’t get his own way, however.
33 JOHNNYWHO
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Odds: 12-1.
Finally got it together for success on the big stage in the Ultima last time, wind surgery and first-time cheekpieces complementing this season’s more convincing jumping. Shaped well over these fences at an inadequate trip in November. Fifth in last season’s Irish National, fading from three out after gaining on more prominently ridden principals. Worth another shot at a marathon trip. Player.
34 TWIG
Rating: ⭐⭐ Odds: 50-1.
Morgan family legend. Now long ridden by Beau, formerly by elder brother Luca; owned by their mum. Missed cut for this when on song in 2024. Judiciously ridden never-involved tenth last year. Back to near peak with Becher Chase success over short course of these fences in December, hanging in typically indolent fashion when hitting the front. Stewards won’t be required here.
35 PIED PIPER
Rating: ⭐ Odds: 100-1.
More ability than he cares to share, both on the Flat and over fences. Snuck into this race courtesy of titleholder Nick Rockett’s withdrawal (found to be coughing once Patrick Mullins had jumped ship). If Pied Piper could talk, he’d have said: “Thanks a bunch, Pat.” Fallen last twice, including when lying winded for some time in Thyestes. Uncompetitively weighted. Likely to favour discretion over valour.
Lydia Hislop's 2026 Randox Grand National verdict:
1 GRANGECLARE WEST
2 GORGEOUS TOM
3 PANIC ATTACK
4 LECKY WATSON
5 CAPTAIN CODY
6 JOHNNYWHO
R1 IMPERIAL SAINT
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Odds:
Super jumper. Fine record over Liverpool’s sister Mildmay course, winning three from four starts last season but at best when defeated in the Freebooter. Bounced back after two lesser efforts this term when paired with this pilot in the Peter Marsh. Lost all chance when hampered by faller last time. Still unexposed over three miles. Marathon trips totally unknown. Course will suit. Unproven in big fields.
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