Racing Weekly: Previewing Aintree's three-day 2026 Grand National meeting

Races Now's Harry Fowler looks ahead to an exciting three days at Aintree in his latest Racing Weekly column.

More to Aintree than the Grand National

It is the week of the UK's most watched horse race, the Grand National. A spectacle that has changed dramatically over the years but still draws the eyes of the nation like no other.

As racing fans know only too well though, there is plenty more than just the big race to savour, with an array of Grade 1 jumps action taking place throughout the three-day meeting.

Not to start on a negative but my initial impressions of this year's meeting are that it looks distinctly average. The lack of a competitive battle for the UK Trainers’ Championship, combined with a much closer one going on between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins over in Ireland, has left some of these usually competitive races on Merseyside looking rather weak.

There is always a word of warning at this meeting for punters too, as we do see some strange results. Horses that have had long seasons can begin to show the effects, while other less-heralded runners often benefit from having been targeted here instead of Prestbury Park.

Thursday hotpots are opposable

Thursday starts with three Grade 1 races in a row, the first of which is the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle – and to be fair, this one does look a cracker.

The second, third and fourth from Cheltenham are all here, along with Fred Winter runner-up Winston Junior and the well-liked Mange Tout, who missed Cheltenham and therefore comes here fresh.

Looking at the race, I do think Selma De Vary will be much more at home here than at Cheltenham. She looks all speed and this track will play to her strengths.

The second Grade one of the opening day comes with the Manifesto Novices’ Chase.

I am looking forward to seeing Lulamba over a trip much more suitable at two and a half miles, but he has had some tough races this season and would not be a banker.

That being said, the field is underwhelming. Koktail Divin looks the biggest challenger, having been a non-stayer last time in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham.

The third in that sequence is the Bowl Chase. Jango Baie is the favourite and, like Lulamba, I have no doubt he is the best horse in the race, but crossing the line in the Gold Cup he looked legless.

Impaire Et Passe comes here stepping up in trip and is interesting. He never went a yard at Cheltenham last time, but he won here last year and could go well again.

The feature race of day one is the Aintree Hurdle, and for me this is my bet of the meeting in Brighterdaysahead.

The step up in trip is sure to suit The New Lion, but I just do not think he is that good. There is no real evidence of him being up to this top level. I think the mare will be too good. She was an easy winner here two years ago and will take some beating.

Stroll and Dawning to light up Friday?

The first Grade 1 on Friday is the Mildmay Novices’ Chase. It looks a competitive affair but not the strongest.

Jack Richards third Regent’s Stroll is the one I fancy. Up in trip and back on a flat track, I think we will see major improvement and the talent we have always been promised.

The Melling Chase is next and with no Jonbon or Impaire Et Passe, it looks a battle between Heart Wood and Grey Dawning.

Grey Dawning back down in trip should be seen to great effect here. I was never fully convinced he stayed the Gold Cup trip, but he did run a great race nevertheless.

The final Grade 1 of day two is the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. The big story here is that Paul Nicholls has two runners – No Drama This End and Talk To The Man – with Harry Cobden on the latter, which is rather unexpected.

I'll be intrigued to see how that pair perform, though it's hard to back either with confidence in the circumstances.

Saturday selections including two National stabs

Grand National Saturday kicks off with the Maghull Novices’ Chase.

Salvator Mundi is around 6/4 and is another I come into this week fancying strongly. Missing the Cheltenham Festival is a big plus. He won here last year, and he just looks better than this field to be honest.

The Mersey Novices’ Hurdle sees Bossman Jack, sixth in the Turners, put in as the favourite for the Skeltons.

I am drawn to Ballyfad, who was not seen to best effect at Cheltenham, but Gordon Elliott has won this race for the last four years and I think he will bounce back to something like his DRF performance when beating Turners winner King Rasko Grey.

The race before the National, the Liverpool Hurdle, looks an intriguing contest. Wodhooh has been entered to step up in trip following her flawless season at two and a half miles.

However, I would be more inclined to fancy Honesty Policy, who has so much more to come and has looked eye-catching in strong finishes on his last two runs at this trip. He won at this meeting last year and I think he will overturn the favourite.

Then onto the main event!

I Am Maximus, winner two years ago and second last year, and last year’s winner Nick Rockett both return. But the two I fancy in this minefield are Monty’s Star and, one at a big price, High Class Hero.

Monty’s Star has had this as his aim all season, and some of his runs have the look of not being fully extended to keep his mark down.

Meanwhile, High Class Hero was third in a big handicap at Sandown last season over three and a half miles on good spring ground. He has been running this season on soft and heavy ground and has hated it. Back on spring ground, I have no doubts about him staying.

Good luck with all your Aintree bets – and remember, tread carefully!

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