Former Grand National winner I Am Maximus has been assigned the top weight of 11st 12lb for the 2026 Randox Grand National at Aintree. Defending champion Nick Rockett carries 11st 11lb, while Iroko leads the ante-post betting markets. The weights were announced on 17 February 2026, with 76 entries remaining for the 11 April race.
The 2026 Randox Grand National, set for 11 April at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside, features a field that will be reduced to 34 runners from an initial longlist of 78 entries announced in early February. Weights, allocated according to each horse's handicap rating to equalize chances in the 4m 2f steeplechase, were revealed on 17 February at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by JP McManus, tops the list at 11st 12lb. The 10-year-old gelding won the 2024 edition carrying 11st 6lb and finished second in 2025 under 11st 12lb. His stablemate Nick Rockett, the 2025 victor ridden by Patrick Mullins, has been given 11st 11lb, up from 11st 8lb last year.
Other prominent entries include Banbridge at 11st 11lb (Joseph Patrick O’Brien), Gerri Colombe at 11st 10lb (Gordon Elliott), and Grangeclare West at 11st 10lb (Willie Mullins). Iroko, an eight-year-old owned by JP McManus and trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, carries 11st 1lb—up from 10st 11lb when finishing fourth in 2025. Trainer Greenall noted, “It was a very good run [last year]... He’s not very quick and he needs a bit of cut in the ground... there’s a lot of reasons why he could run better.”
Handicapper Martin Greenwood commented, “This year’s race really stands out in terms of quality. Although entries are slightly down overall, it’s at the bottom end where trainers are now realising there is no point in entering as they have no chance of getting in.” Patrick Mullins, reflecting on his 2025 win, said, “Since I was a kid reading books about it... it’s always been my dream and it was better than I could have dreamed of.” He expressed interest in riding Nick Rockett again.
Willie Mullins has 15 entries, including Impaire Et Passe and Appreciate It, while Gordon Elliott has 11, such as Favori De Champdou. Iroko heads ante-post betting, with William Hill identifying him as their biggest liability. Currently, Jagwar at 10st 10lb sits at the cut-off for qualification, though withdrawals may alter the field.
