The yearly search for a Grand National winner began in early February with the release of the official entry list. For the 2026 race at Aintree, 78 horses are currently in the running to compete on Saturday, April 11. While this race is known for its large crowds and history, the initial numbers show a shift in the sport. There are 12 fewer entries than last year, totaling 78 compared to 90 in 2025. This smaller group will be cut down further to just 34 runners by the time the race starts.
The focus remains on two powerful trainers from Ireland, Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, who hold nearly a third of the entries between them. For fans and owners, the next few weeks are critical. Decisions about weight and health will decide which horses stay on the list and which ones leave. The path to Aintree is now open, but the smaller list suggests a race that is becoming more about elite quality than a high number of runners.
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Timeline of Key Events
The selection of the final 34 runners follows a strict schedule set by racing officials:
February 17, 2026: Announcement of the weights (how much extra weight each horse must carry).
March 3, 2026: First deadline for trainers to remove horses (scratchings).
March 24, 2026: Second deadline for horse removals.
April 6, 2026: Final confirmation of horses still intended to run.
April 8, 2026: Final declaration of the 34 runners and reserve horses.
April 11, 2026: The Grand National race at Aintree.
The Numbers and Entrants
Evidence shows a clear lean toward Irish trainers in the early stages of the 2026 race.
| Trainer | Number of Entries | Key Horses Noted |
|---|---|---|
| Willie Mullins | 15 | I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett, Captain Cody |
| Gordon Elliott | 12 | Gerri Colombe, Stellar Story, Better Days Ahead |
| Gavin Cromwell | 5 | Yeah Man, Flooring Porter, Now Is The Hour |
| Henry de Bromhead | 5 | Monty’s Star, Amirite, Gorgeous Tom |
Total entries stand at 78, with the final field limited to 34 runners on race day.
Analysis of the Field
The Battle of the Irish Giants
The entry list confirms that Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott remain the most influential figures in the race. Mullins has entered 15 horses, including the winners of the last two Grand Nationals, I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett. This high number of entries is seen by many as a show of force to maintain his winning streak.
On the other side, Gordon Elliott has 12 entries. This is a notable change from two years ago when he entered 26 horses. Observers note that while he has fewer horses, the ones he has chosen, like Gerri Colombe, are high-quality runners. Does this change in strategy suggest Elliott is focusing on a few top stars rather than a large group?
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British Hopes vs. Irish Dominance
Even though Irish trainers have the most entries, the early favorite to win is trained in Britain. Iroko, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, is currently at the top of many betting lists.
"Despite the Irish dominance, the current favorite is British-trained." — Grand National Official Report
Iroko performed well last year and recently won a race at Ascot, which has built trust with fans. Other British entries include Grey Dawning (trained by Dan Skelton) and L’Homme Presse (trained by Venetia Williams). The balance between the large Irish team and the highly-rated British favorite is a central theme for the 2026 race.
Eligibility and Participation Questions
Several high-profile horses have their names on the list, but their actual presence at Aintree is not yet certain. Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis, is a major name because the horse won both the Welsh and Irish Nationals. However, reports state that the horse's entry in the Grand National might depend on how well it runs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
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If a horse runs a very hard race in March, can it recover in time for the Grand National in April? This remains an open question for several top-rated runners on the longlist.
Expert Perspectives
Racing experts point to "trends" to help understand who might win. Historically, no winner in the last ten years has carried the heaviest weight in the race. Additionally, six favorites have won since the year 2000, showing that being the most popular horse does not always lead to a win.
The Horse & Hound team notes that age is also a factor. Seven-year-old Noble Yeats won four years ago, and there are seven horses of that same age entered this year. At the other end of the scale, 12-year-olds like Appreciate It and Ain’t That A Shame represent the older generation. Experts suggest that the weights announced on February 17 will be the first real test for these older or younger runners.
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Conclusion
The 2026 Grand National has a smaller entry list of 78 horses, which suggests a shift toward higher-quality runners rather than a large volume of entries. Willie Mullins continues to dominate the list with 15 entries, while Gordon Elliott has reduced his numbers but kept his top stars.
Findings and Next Steps:
Weight is key: The next major event is the weight announcement on February 17. This will determine which horses have a fair chance and which may find the race too difficult.
Fitness Checks: The two "scratching" deadlines in March will show which horses are healthy and ready to compete.
British Favoritism: Despite the many Irish entries, the British-trained Iroko is the horse to watch according to early data.
Final Field: The list will continue to shrink until only 34 horses remain for the official start on April 11.
Sources Used
Horse & Hound: Grand National runners 2026: which horses are entered? - Detailed list of trainers and horse ages.
GrandNational.org.uk: Grand National 2026 entries longlist revealed - Focus on the favorite Iroko and trainer statistics.
Paddy Power News: Grand National 2026 date, time, runners and odds - Information on betting markets and horse performance at Ascot.
Grand National Fans: 2026 Grand National Entries - Numbers Are Down - Analysis of the decrease in entry numbers from 90 to 78.
TalkSPORT: 2026 Grand National - Latest entries as I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett feature - Details on horse ratings and specific trainer entry counts.
