2026 Grand National Preview: Mullins Seeks Third Win

The 2026 Grand National, one of horse racing's most grueling and iconic events, is set to unfold on Saturday, April 11, at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, with a maximum field of 34 runners tackling a demanding 4-mile, 2.5-furlong course featuring 30 formidable fences. The race, scheduled to start at 4 p.m. BST, has drawn early attention amid a late withdrawal and strong contention from familiar names seeking to build on recent successes.

Trainer Willie Mullins enters the fray aiming for a third straight victory after saddling I Am Maximus to win in 2024 and stablemate Nick Rockett to claim the 2025 title at 33-1 odds. I Am Maximus, a 10-year-old gelding owned by J.P. McManus, returns as a leading favorite at around 6-1 odds, despite carrying the top weight of 11 stone 12 pounds, a burden that has historically challenged older horses, none of whom have won since 2014. Jockey Paul Townend, who guided the horse to glory two years ago, is expected to retain the ride, though he has yet to confirm amid options like Grangeclare West, a strong third in 2025.

The field promises depth, with Iroko, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, emerging as a market mover at...