A full field of 34 runners will take part in the 2026 Grand National. Six reserves will await any non-runner positions, while Cheltenham Festival winner Tom Bellamy was given a surprise phone call by Willie Mullins to ride the defending champion.
The racing news today focuses on the Grand National in Thursday’s round-up.
Grand National latest: Full field includes surprise jockey booking
The field has been declared for the 2026 Grand National. Willie Mullins is responsible for nine of the 34 runners, with I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett among the field. Spillane’s Tower was a surprise declaration as he has also been declared for the Bowl. His participation in either race is ground dependent, which means first and second reserves, Pied Piper and Imperial Saint, could yet get in if there are any non-runners ahead of Saturday. (Racing Post)
There was a big shock among the jockey bookings among the Closutton runners. Last year’s winner Nick Rockett will be partnered by recent Cheltenham-winning jockey Tom Bellamy. This will be Bellamy’s first ever ride for Willie Mullins and comes after he won the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park aboard White Noise. Patrick Mullins, who rode Nick Rockett to glory last season, has deserted him for Grangeclare West. (Sky Sports)
An appearance of sorts by Red Rum will occur at Aintree this week. Jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell, who will partner outsider Top Of The Bill in the Grand National, is trainer Ginger McCain’s grandson. He intends to carry a lock of Red Rum’s hair as a good luck charm this Saturday. Ginger trained the three-time winner from Southport, while Donald McCain has also entered the Aintree winners’ enclosure. He won the Grand National with Ballabriggs in 2011. (Daily Mail)
Neptune Collonges has also been spotted out and about this week. The former Paul Nicholls inmate was the last grey to win the Grand National back in 2012. He enjoyed a day out to Liverpool city centre this week as excitement builds for the race in the local area. Now aged 25, Neptune Collonges was an 11-year-old when winning one of the closest editions of the Grand National by a nose from Sunnyhillboy 14 years ago. (BBC)
Racing refuses to rule out future affordability check action
Horse racing’s authorities have refused to rule out taking further action against affordability checks. On September 10 2025, racing came to a halt in a targeted boycott against the planned checks. With potentially only one month to go until “frictionless” affordability checks are rolled out into law, the BHA has refused to rule out any future protests. Brant Dunshea, the BHA’s chief executive, has said this could include some direct action. (Guardian)