As the 2026 Aintree Grand National meeting looms, we highlight TEN winners from this season’s Cheltenham Festival that will be looking to follow-up in Liverpool this week.
2026 Cheltenham Festival Winners Expected To Run At Aintree
See below, as there could be up to TEN Cheltenham Festival winners back in action at the Aintree Grand National Meeting – including one for trainer Gordon Elliott and another for owner JP McManus.
BARTON SNOW (Thurs, 3:30 Foxhunters)
Landed a bit of a punt to take the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and will be a popular pick to follow up at Aintree.
Had Its On The Line a neck back in second that day and reopposes on the same terms.
Will be running over the National fences for the first time and looking to be the first horse to land both races in the same season since On The Fringe (2015).
HEART WOOD (Fri, 3:30 Melling Chase)
Won the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham by 10 lengths and is the joint-favourite with Grey Dawning (Gold Cup 4th) to win Friday’s Melling Chase.
Heart Wood is rated 3lbs higher than Grey Dawning, who is also 0-4 here at Aintree – but the Skelton runner does sport the first-time cheekpieces.
Henry De Bromhead, who trains Heart Wood, would be winning this Aintree race for the first time if his 8yold is successful.
MADARA (Fri, 4:05 Topham Chase)
The Dan Skelton-trained Madara landed a big gamble to take the Plate Handicap Chase last time out at Cheltenham.
Has been hiked up 10lbs for that win and tackles the Grand National fences for the first time here.
But won with 7 1/2 lengths to spare the last day at Prestbury Park and will still have plenty of backers here as the Skeltons look for their first Topham Chase win.
JOHNNY’S JURY (Fri, 4:40 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle)
Trainer Jamie Snowden won this pot last year and has a big chance of doing so again with Johnny’s Jury.
Last seen winning the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in gusty fashion last time and will head into Friday’s Aintree race as the top-rated (147).
This good-looking grey will be looking to become the first horse since At Fishers Cross (2013) to win both these Cheltenham and Aintree races.
SUPREMELY WEST (Sat, 1:20 Handicap Hurdle/3:05 Liverpool Hurdle)
Another Dan Skelton Aintree runner that landed a touch at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival – winning the Pertemps by 3 1/2 lengths as the 100/30 favourite.
Is up 9lbs for that win and also has two possible engagements on Saturday – the handicap hurdle at 1:20 and Liverpool Hurdle at 3:05.
If heading for the 1:20pm – this is a race the Skeltons like too. Having won three of the last seven runnings.
WODHOOH (Sat, 3:05 Liverpool Hurdle)
Gordon Elliott winning machine mare that has only tasted defeat once in her career over hurdles.
That defeat (from 11 starts) also came at the hands of recent Champion Hurdle winner Lossiemouth at this meeting last season.
But has returned this season to win three times, including the Mares Hurdle at the Festival last time.
Is up to 3m for the first time, but this could even bring out even more improvement in a race Elliott has won twice since 2022.
HOME BY THE LEE (Sat, 3:05 Liverpool Hurdle)
11yold winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival this season – seeing off Ballyburn by 1 1/4 lengths.
But was pulled up in this race 12 months ago and again in 2023 – so has a bit to prove.
The last horse to win both races was another old-boy Sire Du Berlais, who won both prizes in 2023.
While before that it was Thistlecrack in 2013.
JINGKO BLUE (Sat 3:05 Liverpool Hurdle)
Trained by Nicky Henderson, this could be the third Cheltenham Festival winner that’s running in the Liverpool Hurdle this season.
He landed the BetMGM Cup last month by an easy 6 lengths and takes his chance upped in grade again.
Before his Festival win was also runner-up in the G2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Henderson is looking for a third Liverpool Hurdle win, having won the pot twice with Whisper in the past.
JOHNNYWHO (Sat, 4pm GRAND NATIONAL)
Onto the ‘big one’ and the first of two Cheltenham winners that are lining up is Johnnywho.
This JP McManus Grand National runner is in here off the same mark (146) as the weights were already out before the Festival.
He’ll be looking to give JP a fourth National win and also join Noble Yeats and Corach Rambler, who both ran in the Ultima before landing their Nationals.
FINAL ORDERS (Sat, 4pm GRAND NATIONAL)
Winner of the Cross Country Chase at the Festival last month – this 10yold will be looking to give trainer Gavin Cromwell his first Grand National win.
The key to him is the better ground, which he’s expected to get on Saturday.
Plus, is another Cheltenham winner that is off the same mark (147) – getting in here with a featherweight of only 10st 5lbs to carry.
He’ll be looking to join Tiger Roll has the last horse to win both the Cross Country Chase and Grand National in the same season.
When Is The 2026 Grand National Festival?
This year’s three day Aintree Grand National meeting gets going on Thursday 9th April and will run to Saturday 11th April.
With the 2026 Grand National date on Saturday 11th April.
There are seven races each day, so a total of 21 contests over the three days.
With the ITV Racing cameras also on hand to show the best races through the week.
