The Paul Townend Grand National ride has been the subject of plenty of talk ahead of the 2026 race, with the big day now just over a week away – he’s going to have to decide sharpish.
With Townend having the tricky decision to make over two leading players – both with cracking form in the Aintree showcase race.
Possible Paul Townend Grand National Rides 2026
Having the pick of rides at the best jumps stable in the world is not always as easy as it might look.
Yes, being attached to the Willie Mullins camp at Closutton is by far the best job for a National Hunt jockey.
However, with Mullins often having a stack of good chances in the best races, then picking the right horse to ride can often be a sleepless task for their main rider Paul Townend.
Backed up again in the 2026 Grand National.
As this year the top Irish rider will have a tough call over his 2024 winner in the race – I AM MAXIMUS and last year’s third GRANGECLERE WEST.
Cases can certainly be made for both and it’s not helping Townend that both are also disputing the Grand National favourites berth.
I AM MAXIMUS
I Am Maximus went into the Aintree record books as the 2024 Grand National winner and in the process gave Paul Townend his first success in the famous race.
The win also gave Willie Mullins a second National at the time but is now on three wins in the race after Nick Rockett landed the spoils in 2025.
I Am Maximus also returned 12 months ago to run second in the race – beaten only 2 1/2 lengths (see below) – and is back rated just a pound higher (168).
This season he’s run well to be second in the Savills Chase over Christmas – finishing just ahead of two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs.
Plus, we know he acts well at over the Aintree fences.
He’ll be looking to be the first horse wince Red Rum to win back the National – with Rummy do this in 1977 after winning the race in 1973 and 1974.
However, the dilemma for Paul Townend is that I Am Maximus hasn’t won a race since his big day at Aintree in 2024.
I Am Maximus Career In Numbers 💚🤍💛
- Age: 10
- Runs: 21
- Wins: 6
- Chase Runs/Wins: 16/4
- Prize Money: £1,102,703
GRANGECLARE WEST
The horse making the Paul Townend Grand National ride pick harder is Grangeclare West.
He was third in 2025 and is back only 3lbs higher (163).
Townend also guided Grangeclare West to win the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time out – which has been one of the best Grand National trial races in recent times.
Backed up with the last two National winners landing the Bobbyjo – I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett.
The form of that race (watch below) has also since been franked with the runner-up Gerri Colombe winning next time.
So, with Grangeclere West coming to Aintree in winning and better form than I Am Maximus – plus proven experience of the National fences – it’s hard to see why Townend is having sleepless nights at the moment.
Grangeclare West Career In Numbers ❤️🤍💙
- Age: 10
- Runs: 27
- Wins: 6
- Chase Runs/Wins: 12/3
- Prize Money: £257,533
Mark Walsh Already Committed To Ride Jagwar In The Grand National
If the Paul Townend Grand National ride is Grangeclare West, then many thought the main Irish JP McManus rider Mark Walsh would ride I Am Maximus.
However, Walsh has already committed his services to another McManus Grand National runner Jagwar, who was last seen running second in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Which is another decent trail in recent years – with Corach Rambler (2023) and Noble Yeats (2022) both running in that race prior to their National wins.
Who We Think Paul Townend Will Ride In The Grand National
In short it’s a tricky one.
Does Townend go with loyalty or current form?
Of course, the loyalty pick is to stay with I Am Maximus, who won the race for him in 2024 and was runner-up in 2025.
But, as mentioned, hasn’t won a race since winning the National in 2024.
Whereas, Grangeclare West only has 1/2 a length to find with Maximus on last year’s running.
Plus, has arguably improved this season after his impressive Bobbyjo Chase win.
It’s a real head-scratcher.
Whichever horse Paul Townend does decide to ride – one thing is certain, that horse is sure to be well backed and will be the likely favourite.
At the moment, I Am Maximus is around 8/1 and Grangeclare West 10/1.
But, for me, Townend has shown in the past he’s loyal – Galopin Des Champs and State Man are recent examples of this.
So, I think I AM MAXIMUS will just edge it as the 2026 Paul Townend Grand National ride.
Leaving Grangeclare West to Brian Hayes, who has ridden the horse many times.
But with it being such a tight call – I could easily be wrong!
Will Paul Townend Ride 2025 Winner Nick Rockett?
Some may also think that with last year’s winner Nick Rockett being trained by Willie Mullins too – then Paul Townend could ride him.
However, that would be a cruel blow to his rider last year Patrick Mullins.
And the fact he rode him in March in his comeback run was another sign connections will be sticking with Patrick.
When Is The Grand National 2026🗓️
📅Date: Saturday 11th April 2026
⌚Time: 4:00pm
🏇Racecourse: Aintree
🔄Trip: 4m 2 1/2f
💷Winning Purse: £500,000
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Racing TV
