Andy Newton looks at the Willie Mullins Grand National runners 2026 as the top Irish trainer bids for his fourth win in the race and for the third year in-a-row.
Willie Mullins Eyes Third Grand National Win Since 2024
Irish trainer Willie Mullins has won the Grand National three times.
His first in 2005 with Hedgehunter and his most recent successes in the race coming in the last few seasons.
With I Am Maximus winning in 2024 and Nick Rockett in 2025.
Meaning Willie Mullins will be looking to be the first trainer since the mighty Vincent O’Brien win land the race three years in-a-row.
So, with that in mind we can be sure there will be a stack more Willie Mullins Grand National runners in 2026 to look out for.
Willie Mullins Grand National Runners 2025 Headed By Former Winners
I AM MAXIMUS
Age: 10
Weight: 11-12
Owner: JP McManus
Grand National Odds: 10/1
Winner of the 2024 Grand National and is back to try and reclaim his crown for owner JP McManus, who has won this race three times.
Won with 11-6 on his back two years ago and will now have 11-12, plus was also runner-up in 2025.
Looking to be the first Grand National winner to wrestle back his crown since Red Rum in 1977.
GRANGECLARE WEST
Age: 10
Weight: 11-10
Owner: Cheveley Park
Grand National Odds: 10/1
Carried 11-8 when third (just 3 lengths back) in 2025 and will have only 2lbs more this time.
Heads here having won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time out, which has been one of the best Grand National trial races in recent years.
With the form of that last win having since been franked by the second Gerri Colombe winning next time out.
NICK ROCKETT
Age: 9
Weight: 11-11
Owner: Stewart & Sadie Andrews
Grand National Odds: 20/1
Nick Rockett blasted home to win the 2025 Grand National and will be looking to join Tiger Roll and Red Rum as ‘back-to-back’ winners of the famous Aintree race.
He took the prize with 11-8 last season and now has 11-11 to carry. The last horse to win with 11-11 or more was again Red Rum in 1974 (12st).
The 9yold Nick Rockett has only been seen once since his famous win, when returning to run third to Gerri Colombe at Down Royal in the middle of March.
CAPTAIN CODY
Age: 8
Weight: 10-10
Owner: Vincent Caldwell & Angela Shamoon & Mrs A Shamoon Ibgi
Grand National Odds: 20/1
This 8yold won the Scottish Grand National last season over 4m, so the slightly longer Grand National trip (4m 2 1/2f) is likely to be fine.
Hasn’t, however, won a race since (4 runs) and was 33 lengths behind Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo Chase last time out.
Is also rated 12lbs higher than his Scottish National win, so Captain Cody, who is running in the National for the first time, needs to find a bit more.
The last horse to win the Aintree and Scottish Nationals was Earth Summit. Having won at Ayr in 1994 and Liverpool in 1998.
SPANISH HARLEM
Age: 8
Weight: 11-3
Owner: Dr S P Fitzgerald
Grand National Odds: 66/1
Another Willie Mullins Grand National runner that ran in the Bobbyjo Chase but was eventually pulled-up.
Before that, however, unseated late on in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park when holding every chance.
Is also another National winner in the field. Having won the Kerry National in 2025. However, is now rated 20lbs higher.
This will be his first run in the Aintree Grand National.
LECKY WATSON
Age: 8
Weight: 11-2
Owner: Vincent Caldwell & Angela Shamoon & Mrs A Shamoon Ibgi
Grand National Odds: 50/1
This 8yold was a Cheltenham Festival winner last season, when landing the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in 2025.
He’s not won since though (5 runs) so, despite being classy on his day – does need to bounce back to form.
On a plus, he gets in with 11-2 in weight and into a handicap here will make life easier than the races he’s been contesting of late – like the G1 Savills Chase and Irish Gold Cup.
Six of the last 10 National winners were also aged 8 – including the last two.
HIGH CLASS HERO
Age: 9
Weight: 10-11
Owner: Sullivan Group Ltd & P Crowley & Neill Hughes
Grand National Odds: 66/1
Ran third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last April but recently this season has been seen pulling up at both Gowran Park (Thyestes Chase) and Naas (Leinster National).
Has acted well on better ground in the last too, if there isn’t much rain in the build-up to the race.
High Class Hero also has only 10-11 to carry in weight but this will be his first run at Aintree and, therefore, over these Grand National fences too.
Could be a lively outsider but does need to bounce back.
CHAMP KIELY
Age: 10
Weight: 11-1
Owner: Miss M A Masterson
Grand National Odds: 80/1
Last seen running 7th (of 12) to Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
Would have a fair bit to prove over this trip though, with 3m 1f the furthest he’s gone.
But useful on his day, won’t mind better ground either and is lightly-raced over fences for his age (9 runs, 3 wins).
SHANBALLY KID
Age: 9
Weight: 9-9
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Grand National Odds: 150/1
Will need a lot of horses to come out of the race to get in, as currently number 68 on the card and a maximum of 34 will run.
Owned by the Gigginsotwn House Stud, who have a top record in the race though – with three wins since 2016.
This season was pulled up in the Thyestes Chase and last time was 4th in the Leinster National at Naas.
QUAI DE BOURBON
Age: 7
Weight: 10-9
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Grand National Odds: 40/1
Another from the Gigginstown House Stud team and will certainly have his backers after running third to Haiti Couleurs in the Irish Grand National last season.
He was rated 148 there and is only up to 151 this time and gets in here with a nice racing weight of 10-9.
The niggles are though that he might want softer ground.
While the Grand National trends suggest his age is against him – Since 1941, only Noble Yeats has won the race as a 7 year-old.
O’MOORE PARK
Age: 9
Weight: 9-13
Owner: Rich Ricci
Grand National Odds: 150/1
Having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle, owner Rich Ricci would love to add the Grand National.
But his 9yold is another that will need a fair few to come out – being numbered 60 at the moment.
He’s also yet to win over fences, being 0-11. Which is hardly ideal stats for tackling the tricky Aintree National fences for the first time.
That said, Rule The World won the National in 2016 having not won a race over fences.
O’Moore Park also ran well last time – when 6th in the Plate at Cheltenham to Madara
Note: Betting odds for Willie Mullins Grand National runners are subject to change
