55 horses remain in contention for the 2026 Grand National at Aintree on Saturday 11 April. The latest set of scratchings took place on Tuesday for the big race.
Gordon Elliott was the most ruthless in terms of trimming his team for Aintree. Having had seven runners in contention prior to Tuesday, he took out a quartet of potentials: Better Days Ahead, Croke Park, Search For Glory & Western Fold. The Cullentra handler’s main hopes rest on Gerri Colombe and Favori De Champdou, who are both guaranteed their place.
The opposite is true for Willie Mullins, whose grip on the title remains strong. He has won the race for the last two seasons and still has ten in contention for 2026. They include top-weight and 2024 hero I Am Maximus and defending champion Nick Rockett. The latter qualified for this year’s renewal with a run at Down Royal recently.
Mullins’ only defection was O’Moore Park, who has failed to meet qualification standards. He is yet to finish in the first four of a chase over 3m+.
The only other Irish-trained hopeful out of this year’s Grand National is Gentlemansgame. He has not run this season after finishing third in the 2025 Gold Cup.
British challenge trimmed of classy contenders
Among the more notable scratchings for the Grand National was Gold Cup fourth Grey Dawning. Dan Skelton took the nine-year-old out of proceedings after his game run in the Cheltenham showpiece in March.
Ben Pauling and Olly Murphy have also removed some of their principles. Neither Handstands or Pic Roc will run in the Grand National for the former, while Resplendent Grey was a surprise omission for Olly Murphy. He won the bet365 Gold Cup last year, defeating a raft of Willie Mullins-trained contenders. However, Aintree is now off the table for him.
Leave Of Absence, trained by Anthony Honeyball, was the only other British runner removed at this stage.
Final Orders & Panic Attack make final field
Tuesday’s defections ensured both Cross Country winner Final Orders and Coral Gold Cup heroine Panic Attack are guaranteed a run if taking up their Grand National options.
Final Orders has twice won over Cheltenham’s cross country course this season. He will bid to emulate the great Tiger Roll. However, stablemate Stumptown disappointed in the Grand National last year after arriving from the cross country scene.
Conversely, Panic Attack warmed up for her Grand National bid over a much shorter trip. She was a game third in the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham over 2m4f. This has been the long-term target for the Skelton-trained mare, who is exactly 34th on the runners’ list.
Top Of The Bill is now the first horse outside of the 34. Johnnywho is the most significant name still yet to be guaranteed a run. The Cheltenham Festival hero would only add further depth to JP McManus’ enviable team.