The prospective field for the 2026 Grand National has been hailed for its quality by the BHA’s Martin Greenwood.
Greenwood is team leader of the BHA’s handicappers. Therefore, he was chiefly responsible for the release of the weights for the Grand National on Tuesday.
78 horses were entered for the 2026 renewal, down 12 on 2025, but not down on quality. 2024 hero I Am Maximus heads the handicap with a rating of 168, closely followed by defending champion Nick Rockett off 1lb lower.
In 2024 the maximum field size for the Grand National was reduced to 34 for the first time. Those at the bottom end of the handicap, which could have reduced the overall quality of the field, now miss out.
However, there is still substantially more depth to the top of the line-up than ever before. Grade 1 winners such as Grey Dawning and Impaire Et Passe are testament to that. Both only just make it into the top ten at this year’s weights.
Ratings analysis shows strength of race compared to 2011
As well as speaking to Martin Greenwood, the Guardian reported on the increase in quality of the 2026 renewal. Comparisons were favourably drawn compared to the 2011 renewal.
That year, the bottom-weight was rated just 138, a full stone below the 34th rated horse for this year’s race. Similarly, the top-weight in 2011 was 2010 winner Don’t Push It. His rating that year was 160, which would put him just 11th on the 2026 roster.
And Greenwood is well aware of the Grand National’s shift towards quality participants.
“This year’s race really stands out in terms of quality,” he said during the weights reveal on Tuesday. “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.”
The scale of the task for those on lowly ratings was placed starkly in front of them in 2025. Not only did the behemoth of the training ranks, Willie Mullins, send out the first three home, but they were effectively Grade 1 level horses on ratings. Nick Rockett won off 163, I Am Maximus was second off 167, and Grangeclare West also off 163 in third.
Nevertheless, there is confidence that this is positive for the public perception of the race. Plenty will no doubt tune in for this year’s renewal on Saturday 11 April.