The Grand National is always a highly anticipated event, and while the 2026 race is still some time away, it’s never too early to look at potential contenders. Several horses with strong past performances could be in the mix.
I Am Maximus: Aintree Aptitude
I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner, heads to Aintree as a potential contender. He backed up his 2024 success by pressing Nick Rockett all the way. He had shown precious few hints of his National-winning form in two runs before that exceptional performance. He finished second in a Grade One in December and fifth in the Irish Gold Cup.
In strict handicapping terms, he should probably find one or two too good, but Aintree aptitude is a serious weapon and another podium place is no forlorn hope.
Each-way hope on Aintree form, but no top-weight winner since 70s.
Gerri Colombe: Weighted to Go Close
The strict rules on eligibility these days meant that even last year’s winner had to run in a chase this season to qualify for his attempt at a repeat success. He booked his place in the field by finishing about seven lengths behind Gerri Colombe. The reason for his long absence after last year’s race has never been entirely clear – “he took time to come to hand” covers plenty of bases – but he is just 4lb higher in the weights and will be in the mix if – and it has to be a significant if – he is in the same form and mood this time around.
Corach Rambler: Solid Chance
Ended a long losing run over fences when successful in the Bobbyjo Chase – often among the most significant National trials – in February. While he is a pound or two behind the best of the Grade One chasers, he was third in his first attempt at this race 12 months ago. He would have finished even closer had it not been for a costly blunder at the last, but the occasional iffy jump in the closing stages is becoming something of a habit. Has more weight this time, which feels like one question too many.
Solid chance on last year’s third, but jumping may let him down.
Ahoy Senor: Grade One Winner
Has three Grade One wins over fences to his name including the King George VI Chase at Kempton, the mid-season championship, in 2024, and he was a flared nostril away from making it four in the same race this season. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding was a long way below that form in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham festival, however, which does rather fit in with a distinctly patchy record in the best company overall, and he is also unproven at anything like this trip. “If it was three miles, I’d fancy him,” O’Brien said recently. It isn’t and you can’t.
Top-class at best, but inconsistent and unproven over long trips.
Other Potential Runners
- Five wins at Grade One level over fences is an exceptional record for any chaser.
- The last of those top-level successes was in the Bowl at Aintree two years ago.
With the 2026 Grand National still a good distance away, it remains to be seen which horses will ultimately make it to the starting line and be in top form.