THE stage is set for this year’s star-studded Grand National – and one man stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Not content with saddling the 1-2-3 in last year’s race – and pocketing £800,000 as he burst into tears when son Patrick crossed the line first on Nick Rockett – Willie Mullins is back for more.
Willie Mullins and son Patrick celebrate winning last year’s Grand National – can the duo team up to bag racing’s biggest prize again in 2026?Credit: PA
Nick Rockett was a fairytale winner of last year’s race but is uncertain to line up 12 months onCredit: Sunday Times
And it is his horse I Am Maximus, named after that epic Gladiator scene starring Russell Crowe, who leads the way.
He won the National in 2024, finished second last year and heads up the weights at 11st 12lb this year – the same as what he raced off 12 months ago.
Nick Rockett, whose , is third on the list at 11st 11lbs.
But in a surprising turn of events he may not be eligible to run this year.
Nick Rockett hasn’t raced since winning a year ago and Mullins recently admitted ‘ after a number of setbacks.
Mullins also has Grangeclare West and Impaire Et Passe rounding out the top ten.
While he currently occupies 11 of the top 34 places in which horses would be guaranteed a run.
Although it should be noted after picking up an injury.
Still, Mullins has ten guaranteed runners should be opt to send them all – almost a third of the entire field.
The has changed in many ways in recent years and one of the more noticeable has been the proliferation of higher quality horses coming out on top.
It may change this year… but it does look like the title will go to classier sorts carrying more weight than those sneaking in the field off a low mark.
‘ domination has been another feature – but the Brits are fighting back this year.
The Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko, who finished fourth last year and is trained near the course, is the 6-1 market leader.
He was backed in from 50-1 to 13-2 last year, and will return another year older, bigger, stronger and wiser.
While the likes of Dan Skelton with Grey Dawning and Rebecca Curtis with Irish Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs are in with a huge chance.
That being said, Martin Greenwood, the official BHA handicapper, picked out a couple of horses he thinks could be well in this time round.
Key Grand National facts and figures
£1,000,000 – Total prize fund.
£500,000 – To the winning horse.
£5,000 – Prize for finishing tenth.
34 – Number of runners.
4m 2f 74yds – Race distance.
30 – Total fences jumped.
April 11 – Date of race.
£200,000,000 – How much is bet on the race.
And it’s no surprise they form part of the raiding Irish party.
He said: “There are two novices in the race in Oscars Brother, who needs to run again to qualify but seems to jump pretty soundly, and Western Fold, who has plenty of experience and is a Galway Plate winner.
“Novices have a good recent record in the race, with Noble Yeats winning in 2023.
“People are more prepared to run horses who are less battle-hardened now, as what you need instead is lots of ability.”
Oscars Brother, who was recently purchased by billionaire racing powerhouse JP McManus, and Western Fold, who is trained by Gordon Elliott, can be backed at 33-1 and 50-1 respectively.
We will know for definite who runs in the National when declarations are made on Wednesday, April 8.
And the market is likely to chop and change with the small matter of Cheltenham Festival taking place first.
So while the top 34 guaranteed a run below is accurate, you can expect some changes.
That opens the door to those lower down the rating list, such as the well fancied Now Is The Hour for Gavin Cromwell.
He is 43rd on the list but is as short as 25-1 with some bookies and could make big appeal if going.
Another attracting support is Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans, who at 41st on the list would carry 10st 8lb, but is as short as 22-1.
Grand National weights (top 34 currently)
1 I Am Maximus 11st 12lb
2 Banbridge 11st 11lb
3 Nick Rockett 11st 11lb
4 Gerri Colombe 11st 10lb
5 Grangeclare West 11st 10lb
6 Grey Dawning 11st 10lb
7 Haiti Couleurs 11st 10lb
8 L’Homme Presse 11st 8lb
9 Spillane’s Tower 11st 8lb
10 Impaire Et Passe 11st 5lb
11 Appreciate It 11st 4lb (but since retired)
12 Firefox 11st 4lb
13 Gentlemansgame 11st 3lb
14 Monty’s Star 11st 3lb
15 Spanish Harlem 11st 3lb
16 Lecky Watson 11st 2lb
17 Champ Kiely 11st 1lb
18 Favori De Champdou 11st 1lb
19 Flooring Porter 11st 1lb
20 Iroko 11st 1lb
21 Western Fold 11st 1lb
22 Three Card Brag 11st 0lb
23 Handstands 10st 13lb
24 Oscars Brother 10st 13lb
25 Mr Vango 10st 12lb
26 Beauport 10st 11lb
27 Better Days Ahead 10st 11lb
28 High Class Hero 10st 11lb
29 Ile Atlantique 10st 11lb
30 Resplendent Grey 10st 11lb
31 Stellar Story 10st 11lb
32 Captain Cody 10st 10lb
33 French Dynamite 10st 10lb
34 Jagwar 10st 10lb
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