One of the big 2026 Grand National hopes this year is JAGWAR, who is disputing the favourites berth. However, if you do fancy this horse – be warned as there is a HUGE Grand National stat that suggests he’s got it all to do.
Grand National Stats Tell Us Horses Aged 7 Have Struggled In The Race
The big Grand National stat that the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero runner Jagwar will need to overcome is AGE.
This is because only ONE winner of the race since 1946 has been aged SEVEN.
So, with JAGWAR one of the Grand National favourites aged 7 – he’ll be the next horse trying to overcome this monster trend.
As all this equates to 77 of the last 78 runnings of the Grand National (99%) going to horses aged 8+.
Noble Yeats The ONLY Grand National 7 Year-Old Winner Since 1941
Back in 2022, the Emmet Mullins-trained NOBLE YEATS became the first Grand National horse aged 7 to win since Bogstar in 1940.
This ended a huge 75+ year run with no youngster landing the famous Aintree race.
But despite Noble Yeats showing it can be done – history still tells us to be very wary of Grand National runners of this age.
Especially as ‘year-after-year’ there are many fancies that head into the race aged 7.
With most of the ‘once-a-year’ punters also totally unaware of this monumental Grand National stat.
Jagwar Looking To Defy Huge Grand National Age Stat
There are a stack of JP McManus Grand National runners with big chances this year.
Notably his 2024 winner I Am Maximus, Iroko and Cheltenham Festival winner Johnnywho.
But all of these entries are aged 8+, so are sitting on the right side of the key Grand National age stat.
However, JP also has JAGWAR in the race, who is set to be ridden by Mark Walsh – and with this horse aged 7 he’ll be looking to become only the third winner of this age since 1940.
This Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained runner has been high up the betting all season.
Plus, heads here off the back of an excellent second in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (see below).
But age tells us – he can’t win.
He was only 1/2 a length behind another JP runner Johnnywho that day and with the Ultima one of the best Grand National Trial races in recent times – he’ll at least have this stat in his corner.
Corach Rambler (2023) and the only other recent 7 year-old Grand National winner Noble Yeats (2022) both ran in the Ultima before their big days at Aintree.
Many will also wonder – how many 7 year-olds have run in the race in recent times?
But you can see below the full list since 2014 – with 30 Grand National runners aged 7, with just the one winner (Noble Yeats).
7 Year-Old Grand National Runners Since 2014 (30)
- 2025 (4) – Iroko (4th), Broadway Boy (Fell), Intense Raffles (PU), Fil Dor (PU)
- 2024 (5) – Meetingofthewaters (7th), Limerick Lace (10th), The Goffer (13th), Nassalam (18th), Adamantly Chosen (21st)
- 2023 (6) – Gaillard Du Mesnil (3rd), A Wave Of The Sea (9th), Cape Gentleman (PU), Capodanno (22/1), Velvet Elvis (PU), Mr Incredible (UR)
- 2022 (2) – Noble Yeats (1st), Coko Beach (8th)
- 2021 (2) – Farclas (5th), The Long Mile (PU)
- 2020 – No Race (Covid)
- 2019 (1) – Ramese De Teilee (PU)
- 2018 (1) – Baie Des Iles (12th)
- 2017 (3) – Le Mercurey (12th), Shantou Flyer (PU), Double Shuffle (PU)
- 2016 (2) – Vieux Lion Rouge (7th), Onenightinvienna (UR)
- 2015 (2) – Cause Of Causes (8th), Unioniste (F)
- 2014 (2) – Kruzhlinin (10th), Triolo D’Alene (PU)
Are There Any Other Grand National Runners Aged 7 In 2026?
So, based on this huge 78-year Grand National stat we know JAGWAR is one of the fancied runners aged 7.
But are there any others?
The final runners will be out on Wednesday 8th April, when the field will be whittled down to 34.
In addition to Jagwar, there are TWO other runners aged 7.
These are the Joseph O’Brien-trained JORDANS and QUAI DE BOURBON, which is one of the many Willie Mullins Grand National runners this year.
2026 Grand National Runners Aged 7
- JAGWAR
- JORDANS
- QUAI DE BOURBON
Why Have Younger Horses Struggled In The Grand National Over The Years?
The Grand National is run over a trip of 4m 2½f and remains one of the most gruelling races in the world – asking the winner to negotiate 30 unique fences along the way.
Okay, some of these obstacles been made easier in recent years.
But they’re still unlike anything most of these horses would have jumped.
The race can also be run on more demanding (soft) ground. Which puts a real premium on proven stamina.
And more often than not, that kind of staying power comes with age in this horse racing sphere.
With a maximum field of 34 runners each year, it’s also a race where you need your share of luck.
Again, those are qualities that tend to come with age and miles on the clock.
Having said all this, some racing fans feel there is less emphasis on age now, with these Grand National changes in recent times.
Backed up (maybe) with Noble Yeats winning in 2022 aged 7 and a year later Gaillard Du Mesnil also running well (3rd).
What Is The Best Grand National-Winning Age?
8 Year-Olds Have The Best Grand National Record Recently
Since 2015, EVERY Grand National winner has been aged between 7-9.
But, as we now know, only one of those 10 winners was aged 7. Meaning 90% were aged 8 or 9 years-old.
With the last winner aged in double-figures Pineau De Re (11) in 2014.
The last two winners Nick Rockett (watch below) and I Am Maximus were both aged 8 when winning the Grand National prize money.
While 60% of the last 10 winners were also aged 8. Making this by far the best Grand National age at the moment.
WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning The 2025 Grand National Aged 8
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
