Martin Greenwood is to step down from his role as the Grand National‘s lead handicapper. Greenwood’s official title is of Steeplechase Team Leader at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). He will no longer occupy that position for the following jumps season.
His role saw him produce the weights for the Grand National over the past eight years. In that time, I Am Maximus became the first horse to regain the big race since Red Rum in 1977. Allocated top-weight of 11st 10lb, he was the first horse to win with saddlecloth number one since Ginger McCain’s champion.
Greenwood is to remain a member of the BHA’s handicapping team. An announcement on his successor will come in due course. They will be responsible for the 2027 Grand National weights next season.
In a statement on the BHA’s website, Greenwood said: “Following a health scare in 2025, I have taken the advice of my doctor and decided it is the right time for me to take a step back from leading the team responsible for handicapping the chasing division.
“It is a position I have been very proud to have held and it has been a great honour to play a part in the world’s greatest race, the Grand National, over the last eight years. I would like to thank everyone at The Jockey Club and Aintree, with whom I have enjoyed many wonderful days, for their support during my time handicapping the race.
BHA grateful for “years of dedicated hard work”
Dominic Gardiner-Hill, head of handicapping at the BHA, expressed his and the organisation’s gratitude for Greenwood’s job in recent years.
“This move is something we have been discussing with Martin in recent months and I fully support his decision. There is nothing more important in life than our health and it is right that he is doing what is best for him and his family.
“On behalf of all of us at the BHA, I would like to thank Martin for his many years of dedicated hard work with the staying chasers and, in particular, his work on the Grand National since taking over from Phil Smith eight years ago. The race remains one of the great spectacles in all of sport and Martin has played a key role in ensuring that is the case.
“We are delighted that Martin is not leaving the team, ensuring that our handicappers, the BHA and British racing as a whole, are not losing his vast experience and knowledge.”