Trainer Gordon Elliott trimmed his Randox Grand National squad by four at Monday’s scratching stage – but still leaving the three-time National-winning trainer with a possible team of seven.
Willie Mullins, who has won the last two runnings, continues to dominate the line-up though – with ten Closutton-trained runners still entered for the world’s most famous jumps race.
Elliott—who first struck in the National with Silver Birch in 2007 before ‘back-to-back’ wins with Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019—removed Western Fold, Better Days Ahead, Croke Park and Search For Glory.
However, his recent Down Royal winner Gerri Colombe and Cheltenham Festival runner-up Favori De Champdou remain in contention for the Merseyside Marathon on April 11th.
Notable Grand National Scratchings: Tuesday 24th March 2026
Other Grand National scratchings were Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Grey Dawning, for title leading trainer Dan Skelton, and the Ben Pauling’s pair Handstands and Pic Roc.
While the Olly Murphy-trained Resplendent Grey, Gentlemansgame, from the Mouse Morris yard who won the race with Rule The World in 2016, and Leave Of Absence for the Anthony Honeyball team were also taken out.
One of the Willie Mullins Grand National runners O’Moore Park was also removed after failing to meet the qualification requirement of finishing fourth or better in a chase over at least 2m7½f.
Grand National Scratchings
- Western Fold
- Better Days Ahead
- Croke Park
- Search For Glory
- Grey Dawning
- Handstands
- Pic Roc
- O’Moore Park
- Resplendent Grey
- Gentlemansgame
- Leave Of Absence
Final Orders and Panic Attack Now Expected Grand National Runners 2026
These latest Grand National defections have opened the door for a couple of high-profile contenders, who are now guaranteed a run if connections choose to go ahead.
These included Cheltenham Festival Cross Country Chase winner Final Orders (watch below) and Dan Skelton’s Coral Gold Cup hero Panic Attack both move safely inside the cut.
With Final Orders now number 32 and Panic Attack – with the maximum Grand National runners currently at 34.
Marble Sands for trainer David Killahena and Graeme McPherson is also now an expected runner – moving to number 33 on the list.
Twiston-Davies Runner On The Cusp Of Getting In
Top Of The Bill, who is trained by the two-time National winning Twiston-Davies yard, is now number 35 and will either be a reserve (6 allowed), or make the race if a horse between 1-34 come out in the next declaration stage.
At the head of the 2026 Grand National betting market, trainer Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus continue to hold a firm grip, combining to supply the four 10/1 co-Grand National favourites.
Mullins is responsible for Grangeclare West and 2024 winner I Am Maximus, while McManus is represented by Iroko, Cheltenham winner Johnnywho, the Mark Walsh-ridden Jagwar and the already mentioned I Am Maximus.
But Johnnywho is another that will need some to come out – numbered 36.
Also prominent in the betting are Irish and Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs and Monty’s Star for Henry de Bromhead, who won the National in 2021 with Minella Times.
All this leaves 55 Grand National runners still in contention for the Aintree showpiece on April 11th.
But only 34 can make the final cut.
The next key Grand National declaration dates will be on Monday, April 6th, before final declarations are made on Wednesday, April 8th.
Which is 72-hours before the race, which is up from the normal 48 hours declarations that most races have through the year in the UK.
Grand National Date 2026🗓️
The Grand National 2026 will be staged on Saturday 11th April 2026 at Aintree Racecourse (Liverpool).
With the Grand National race time 4:00pm.
- Day 1 – Thursday 9th April 2026
- Day 2 – Friday 10th April 2026
- Day 3 – Saturday 11th April 2026
You can also see the race live on the ITV Racing schedule.
Grand National Runners and Betting Odds 2026 – The 55 Aintree Runners Left
- 1 – I Am Maximus 10/1
- 2 – Nick Rockett 20/1
- 3 – Banbridge 50/1
- 4 – Grangeclare West 11/1
- 5 – Gerri Colombe 33/1
- 6 – Haiti Couleurs 16/1
- 7 – Spillane’s Tower 33/1
- 8 – L’Homme Presse 100/1
- 9 – Firefox 66/1
- 10 – Monty’s Star 20/1
- 11 – Spanish Harlem 66/1
- 12 – Lecky Watson 50/1
- 13 – Champ Kiely 80/1
- 14 – Iroko 12/1
- 15 – Favori De Champdou 33/1
- 16 – Three Card Brag 50/1
- 17 – Oscars Brother 25/1
- 18 – Mr Vango 80/1
- 19 – High Class Hero 80/1
- 20 – Stellar Story 25/1
- 21 – Beauport 100/1
- 22 – French Dynamite 100/1
- 23 – Captain Cody 25/1
- 24 – Jagwar 11/1
- 25 – Perceval Legallois 50/1
- 26 – Gorgeous Tom 33/1
- 27 – The Real Whacker 100/1
- 28 – Quai De Bourbon 40/1
- 29 – Answer To Kayf 66/1
- 30 – Jordans 40/1
- 31 – Now Is The Hour 33/1
- 32 – Final Orders 40/1
- 33 – Marble Sands 100/1
- 34 – Panic Attack 25/1
- 35 – Top Of The Bill 100/1
- 36 – Johnnywho 16/1
- 37 – Twig 66/1
- 38 – Blaze The Way 100/1
- 39 – Pied Piper 100/1
- 40 – Imperial Saint 100/1
- 41 – Amirite 100/1
- 42 – Ain’t That A Shame 200/1
- 43 – Yeah Man 100/1
- 44 – Soul Icon 150/1
- 45 – Hyland 100/1
- 46 – Harry Des Ongrais 150/1
- 47 – Monbeg Genius 100/1
- 48 – Deep Cave 100/1
- 49 – Buddy One 150/1
- 50 – Anyway 100/1
- 51 – The Short Go 150/1
- 52 – Weveallbeencaught 200/1
- 53 – Shanbally Kid 150/1
- 54 – Will Do 150/1
- 55 – In d’Or 200/1
Note: Grand National 2026 betting odds are subject to change
WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning The 2025 Grand National
