Irish-trained horses have dominated at Aintree in recent times in the Grand National, as the likes of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead have produced big results in the Merseyside marathon.
Last year Mullins trained the first, second, third and fifth-place finishers, while in 2024 five of the first six finishers were Ireland-based and in 2022 it was seven of the first nine.
Indeed, Irish-trained horses have won six of the last seven Grand Nationals at Aintree and the raiding party will be strong again on April 11th and we are taking a look at some of the leading fancies from Ireland for the Aintree showpiece.
I Am Maximus
I Am Maximus won this race in 2024 for Mullins and Paul Townend and the JP McManus-owned contender was second last time around. He’s set to carry top-weight of 11st 12lb this time around, just as he did 12 months ago.
He has won four times over fences, including the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in 2023 and returns to Merseyside having run a creditable fifth in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. This will be his third run in the Aintree contest.
Nick Rockett
Nick Rockett provided the fairytale win 12 months ago for father/son combo Willie and Patrick Mullins. The powerhouse trainer has won just about everything imaginable in the game, but described watching his son land the Grand National as his proudest moment.
Nick Rockett returns for his second Aintree National rated 4lb higher off 167 this time around will have second-top -weight behind I Am Maximus. He has won seven races under Rules, four over fences and was third behind Gerri Colombe at Down Royal last month on his only appearance since this race last year.
Grangeclare West
Grangeclare West runs in the famous silks of Cheveley Park Stud, the owners yet to win this great race, and he was third in 2025 on his first attempt in the National. The Presenting gelding was a Grade 1-winning novice over fences at Leopardstown in 2023 and finished second to Galopin Des Champs in the 2025 Irish Gold Cup at the same track.
He returned to form when winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February – a recognised Grand National trial won in the last two seasons by the subsequent Aintree heroes I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett.
Oscars Brother
Oscars Brother is a rapidly improving novice over fences for trainer Connor King, the 28-year-old former champion apprentice jockey now forging his way in the training ranks. Oscars Brother won three of his first four starts over fences and was fourth in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival most recently.
The eight-year-old has stamina to prove in this contest but lacks Aintree experience, however, he has a nice mark of 155 to compete off carrying 10st 13lb in the JP McManus silks and he’d be the biggest winner in King’s career if he does it.
Monty’s Star
De Bromhead famously saddled Minella Times to win under Rachael Blackmore in 2021 and the Co Waterford handler counts Monty’s Star as perhaps his leading contender this time. The nine-year-old Walk In The Park gelding carries the colours of Gold Cup-winning owner Barry Maloney and while he has just one win in 11 starts over fences, he has often acquitted himself well in Graded-race company. He has a rating of 159 and will need to improve over this marathon trip to win.
Any Other Notable Irish Runners
Elliott needs one more win to equal the record of Aintree National winners for a trainer and the Cullentra handler could have the likes of Gerri Colombe, Firefox, Three Card Brag and Stellar Story in the mix this time.
Joseph O’Brien is set to unleash former King George winner Banbridge, while veteran trainer Jimmy Mangan is preparing Spillane’s Tower for a challenge and Gavin Cromwell could attempt to follow the Tiger Roll lead by sending Cheltenham Festival Cross Country winner Final Orders into battle as part of a strong Irish challenge.
Recent Irish-Trained Winners Of Grand National
Below we have compiled a list of the last 10 winners of the Grand National that were trained in Ireland.
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
| 2025 | Nick Rockett | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins | 33/1 |
| 2024 | I Am Maximus | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 7/1 JF |
| 2022 | Noble Yeats | Sam Waley-Cohen | Emmet Mullins | 50/1 |
| 2021 | Minella Times | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead | 11/1 |
| 2019 | Tiger Roll | Davy Russell | Gordon Elliott | 4/1 F |
| 2018 | Tiger Roll | Davy Russell | Gordon Elliott | 10/1 |
| 2016 | Rule The World | David Mullins | Mouse Morris | 33/1 |
| 2007 | Silver Birch | Robbie Power | Gordon Elliott | 33/1 |
| 2006 | Numbersixvalverde | Niall Madden | Martin Brassil | 11/1 |
| 2005 | Hedgehunter | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins | 7/1 F |