Weights for every horse in the 2026 Grand National were revealed on Tuesday afternoon. Later on Wednesday morning, the field will be revealed in Constitution Hill‘s Southwell contest. However, it may not contain the former Champion Hurdler.
Find out more about the racing news today in our Wednesday round-up.
I Am Maximus & Nick Rockett head Grand National handicap
The last two winners of the Grand National have been handed the heaviest burdens for the 2026 renewal. I Am Maximus, the 2024 hero, will shoulder 11st 12lb, while defending champion Nick Rockett has been handed 11st 11lb. It means both have crept slightly further up the handicap as they seek to become dual winners. Banbridge is also under 11st 11lb, while last year’s third Grangeclare West received 11st 10lb. Jagwar is currently the last horse guaranteed a run at 34th in the handicap. (BBC)
Constitution Hill in or out at Southwell
Declarations on Wednesday morning will reveal if Constitution Hill runs at Southwell on Friday. The nine-year-old needs two horses above him in the ballot to be taken out. The maximum field size is now guaranteed to be 14 after extra stables were made available to house horses at Southwell’s Friday Night Live meeting, but Constitution Hill sits in 16th place in the current ballot. Although at least one horse above him looks likely to be withdrawn, connections will learn their fate at 10am. (Sporting Life)
Cheltenham Handicap entries leave punters searching
There was a shock omission from the entries for Cheltenham’s handicap contests on Tuesday. The Wallpark, who had been favourite for the National Hunt Chase, was given no entries by connections. The horse caught the eye when second on his previous run, but despite many fancying him for Cheltenham glory in that race, or the Kim Muir Challenge Cup, JP McManus and Gordon Elliott will target domestic prizes this spring instead. (Racing Post)
One horse who is now bound for the handicaps though is Myretown. Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore are favouring a repeat bid for the Ultima Handicap Chase. The defending champion had his sights set higher this campaign, with the Coral Gold Cup intended to set hi up for a Gold Cup or Grand National bid. However, things have not worked out, meaning he can head to Cheltenham on the same rating he began this season. (RTE)
Willie Mullins star Appreciate It retired
Former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Appreciate It has been retired at the age of 12. The veteran won the Supreme by a whopping 24 lengths in 2021, when no crowd was present due to COVID. That success crowned an unbeaten novice hurdling campaign featuring three Grade 1s. Though he never won at the top level over fences, he did finish ahead of Galopin Des Champs when second in the 2023 John Durkan Chase at Punchestown. He bowed out in victory, winning Thurles’ Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase for a second time in January. (talkSPORT)