See below Andy Newton’s Grand National tips as he gives you his 1-2-3-4 best bets for Saturday’s big Aintree race. Plus, has some key stats and trends to take into the race and also highlights two Grand National outsiders it you are looking to that big-priced winner.
You can also get Andy’s Saturday Aintree horse racing tips for all the live ITV Racing action from the Liverpool track. Including a 7/1 NAP on the afternoon.
Andy Newton’s Grand National Tips: King Brothers To Land National Oscar
Andy Newton Grand National Tips 2026
Everyone loves a Grand National story – or so they tell us every year – right?
Well, if that’ your angle into trying to find this year’s big Aintree winner – then I might just have this year’s tale.
Step forward brothers Connor King (trainer) and Danny King (jockey), who are teaming up to and land the biggest award in jump racing with OSCARS BROTHER.
With their 8yold also owned by JP McManus too, who is no stranger to winning the National. Having lifted the prize three times in the past.
Having bought the horse back in December and keeping him in training with the Kings.
In fact, Connor only trains TWO horses – Oscars Brother and Grey Jude and has just the four wins this season over the sticks in Ireland.
But, in his defence, has only had these two in action 11 times this term – so a 36% strike-rate isn’t too shabby.
Oscars Brother was last seen running a blinder in the Browns Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March – staying on well to take 4th.
WATCH: Oscars Brother Running 4th At The Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Form Boosted By Kocktail Divin
Therefore, with that run coming over 3m 1f, there’s strong evidence to suggest he’ll get the extra yardage in the National (4m 2 1/2f).
He also beat Kocktail Divin in that race into 6th. And that horse came out and franked the form by winning the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree on Thursday.
The last two winners of the National have been aged 8 too – another tick for Oscars Brother.
While with only 6 career runs over fences, there’s every chance we’ve not seen the best of him yet.
Plus gets in with a mice-looking racing weight of 10st 13lbs.
In short, there’s a lot to like – and, as mentioned, we’ve even got the obligatory Grand National story waiting to be penned.
You feel a win for Oscars Brother on Saturday, and the King yard might be rolling out the red carpet for more horses entering their yard.
So, last year we saw a father and son combo land the race when Patrick Mullins guided home Nick Rockett for his dad Willie – and this year I’m sticking with the family theme.
Take OSCARS BROTHER to crown the King siblings at Aintree.
Andy Newton’s Grand National 1-2-3-4
🥇OSCARS BROTHER
🥈GERRI COLOMBE
🥉FINAL ORDERS
4️⃣I AM MAXIMUS
Gerri Colombe and Final Orders Also Command Grand National Respect
Next best for me are GERRI COLOMBE and FINAL ORDERS.
The first-named has returned to form at the right time – winning at Down Royal last month, with last year’s National hero Nick Rockett back in third.
Prior to that he’d run well (2nd) in the Bobbyjo Chase – a Grand National trial that’s produced the last two winners of Saturday’s race.
Gerri is also running over the National fences for the first time, which is a good stat as 15 of the last 17 winners were having their debuts in the race too.
But he’s also shown a love of Aintree, with two wins at this meeting (2023 & 2024) in the past.
The Elliott yard have already had winners at this meeting too and he heads here having only been out of the top three ONCE from his 13 runs over fences.
Jack Kennedy, who is hunting his first National win, is the final plus.
WATCH: Gerri Colombe Winning at Down Royal Last Time Out
Cross Country Chase Has Produced Two National Winners Since 2018
Then Final Orders, who landed the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, can land the bronze.
This Gavin Cromwell runner gets in here off the same mark (147) and only 10st 5lbs to carry.
But the key to him is the ground – he loves it quicker, which he’ll get at Aintree on Saturday.
Conor Stone-Walsh, who rode the last day, keeps the ride – so if Oscars or Gerri don’t fire – I’ll take Final Orders to land the drinks money.
WATCH: Final Orders Winning The Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
Key Grand National Stats 📈
- 6 of the last 7 winners Irish trained
- 32/34 – Ran in the last 55 days
- 5 of the last 8 winners wore a tongue-tie
- Trainer Willie Mullins has won the last 2 runnings
- 15/17 – Having their first run in the race
- 9 of the last 10 winners aged 8 or 9
- Only 2 winners aged 7 since 1940
You can see more Grand National trends and stats here.
Best Grand National Outsiders
In 2022 we saw a 50/1 winner of the National, when Noble Yeats became the first 7yold to win since 1940.
While, of course, we had the monster 100/1 Mon Mome win in 2009.
Meaning, in a race that require a lot of luck – anything can happen.
So, if you are looking a few Grand National runners at bigger odds, then maybe these two are worth a look.
STELLAR STORY
Okay, this Gordon Elliott runner isn’t quite 50/1+ but could still be around 33/1 if you shop around.
Owned by the Gigginstown team, that already have three Nationals to their name, the step up in trip could just be the making of him.
Yes, he’s not won since November 2024 but has been running mainly in Grade One races.
He was a fair third in the already mentioned Bobbyjo Chase last time and is another that’s having his first run in the race. Remember the stats say this is a good thing.
He’s also sporting a tongue-tie and strangely 5 of the last 8 National winners also wore one. This could be something of nothing, but a stat we can still claim if he wins – ha!
Veteran rider Robbie Dunne gets the leg-up
HIGH CLASS HERO
One of the many Willie Mullins Grand National runners in the race – but one of his bigger-priced entries.
This horse is around the 50/1 mark and could just out-run those odds.
Okay, he’s been pulled up the last twice, but before that was a good second at Punchestown.
While around this time last season ran a fair 3rd in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Which was over 3m 4 1/2f and was also sent off favourite that day.
That run also came on good ground too, which he’ll get on Saturday – and this 9yold is another with a fair racing weight of 10st 11lbs.
Mullins will be looking to become the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien to win three Nationals on the bounce.
But if he can’t do it with one of his more fancied runners – then maybe High Class will be his ‘Hero’.
WATCH: High Class Hero Running Third in the Bet365 Gold Cup
