Thoroughbred Thoughts

The Randox Grand National 2026

This years grand national looks to be one of the most competitive in recent times. I can make cases of why most of these would win the race. However, the Grand National is much more than ‘who is the best?’ It’s about which horse may be suited to track, ground, trip and who is handicapped well and where they may find themselves in the race. This is why those that have already ran near this distance, or indeed have ran in the Grand National before, are often favoured. So….here is my top 3 for the Grand National and who I believe has the best chance.

Grangeclare West

This horse was 3rd in this race last year and may well have won if not for a mistake at the last fence. That was off a mark of 163 and so the 10yr old is only up 3lb from last year and is accompanied by last years winner in Patrick Mullins. Nick Rockett is out of the national this year and so they team up here and could go 2 better than last year if no mistakes at the business end of the race.

He’s coming here off the back of an impressive win at Fairyhouse and so that increases confidence. He will stay and is proven here and so doesn’t have many questions to answer like many others do. He’s a solid option if recreating what he did last year and 10/1 ew seems a fair price.

Jagwar

Has not looked back since switching to go chasing and has nearly been faultless, he’s just kept improving and reached a career high when second in the ultima chase at Cheltenham. Made a few mistakes that day and still managed a good 2nd and a step up in trip again looks like it will benefit him. Mark Walsh’s ride in the race and is carrying 10st10lb off a mark of 152 which looks quite generous for him over this trip.

One of a few for JP McManus but looks to be one with a serious chance here. If he reduces his mistakes here, he’s a big player as I think he’ll have a lot more stamina than others especially over this mammoth distance.

Iroko

Was a good 4th in this race last year and may have just been outstayed, although he did finish the race very well. He ran off a marl of 152 last year and is up to a mark of 156 this year but I don’t think that will stop him putting in a mighty performance.

Since last years race Iroko had wind surgery which seemed to have helped because he got a great 2nd to The Jukebox Man and then won the graduation chase at Aintree. He then came 10th in the Ultima, however, he scoped dirty the day after. Jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr has partnered him a lot and so knows the horse well stated that Iroko is actually a lot bigger and stronger this year. This increases confidence going into a big race like this and hopefully he can go a few better than last year.