Grand National

The world-famous Grand National is held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. It is a handicap steeplechase over 4 miles 3½ furlongs with horses jumping 30 fences during two circuits. The race is currently sponsored by Randox Health and is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million.

When was the 2026 race?

The 2026 running of the world’s most famous steeplechase took place at 4pm on Saturday, 11 April.

• How to watch the Grand National

• Grand National runners

• Grand National weights

• Grand National tickets

• How to get to Aintree

• Where to stay near Aintree

Who won the 2026 race?

I Am Maximus won the 2026 Randox Grand National, becoming the first horse to regain the title since the great Red Rum. After winning in 2024 and finishing second in 2025, he carried top weight of 11st 12lb. He was ridden by Paul Townend, trained by Willie Mullins and is owned by JP McManus.

Why is this race different to most races?

The fences in the race differ from the typical steeplechase fences used in Britain, as the cores are topped with at least 14 inches of spruce. It is also longer than most races at with 30 fences to be jumped over 4 miles 3½ furlongs.

In 2013 a number of changes were made to the race in response to the deaths of four horses in the previous two meetings. These included changing the core of the fences from traditional wooden stakes to birch and plastic cores in an attempt to make the fences more horse-friendly and moving the start.

Further changes were brought in for the 2024 race, including reducing the field size to a maximum of 34 runners, the first fence being moved closer to the start, a standing start being reintroduced and the start time being changed, as part of changes designed to further improve safety.