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Grand National Horse Racing Tips - Get all the top racing tips for 11 April 2026
The Grand National at Aintree promises adrenaline-pumping action as 34 horses compete for glory. Ex-champ I Am Maximus is the favorite despite a heavy load, while defending champ Nick Rockett faces challenges with a similar handicap. Grangeclare West enters as a strong contender with jockey Patrick Mullins, who previously rode Nick Rockett to victory. Iroko, after an outstanding fourth place last year, presents formidable jumping ability and consistency. This thrilling lineup suggests an unpredictable race with high stakes and potential surprises.
- I Am Maximus is ranked as the hot favourite.
- Grangeclare West is a top contender with last year’s winner riding him.
- Iroko is a power runner, good on the jumps and could be in contention at the finish.
- Nick Rockett will be weighed down by the defending champ’s handicap and, although a strong runner, is ranked unlikely to defend his title.
Expired
Jonjo O'Neill Jr riding Iroko, a powerful jumper (Getty Images).
Best Bet of the Day - Grand National at Aintree in Liverpool
- Best Bet of the Day - Grand National at Aintree in Liverpool
- Race Favourite – I Am Maximus
- Defending champion – Nick Rockett
- Top contender – Grangeclare West
- Hot tip – Iroko
Among the 34 horses lined-up to compete for one of the most prestigious (and toughest) races on the sporting calendar are last year’s winner Nick Rockett and the 2024 champ, I Am Maximus.
The latter was favourite to win back-to-back titles but was beaten to the post, in part due to the extra weight he was forced to carry. This year he is again carrying a heavy load and, as a 10-year-old, the extra weight really adds to the difficulty he faces.
Race Favourite – I Am Maximus
Jockey: Paul Townend | Trainer: Willie Mullins
I Am Maximus is the hot ticket having won in 2024 and pushed Nick Rockett hard for the win last year, only to be narrowly beaten. The 10-year-old bay gelding had a good run in February’s Irish Gold Cup in February without making any headlines. He will carry the maximum weight of 11st 12lb again after the same carry in 2025, which is a major impediment to his hopes of winning with such a heavy handicap.
Defending champion – Nick Rockett
Jockey: Tom Bellamy | Trainer: Willie Mullins
The defending champ Nick Rockett will be saddled with a heavy load and although he had almost a year off after 3 wins on the bounce at the start of 2025, his last run saw him place 3rd out of 4 runners just 22 days ago. Don’t rule him out, but he will need luck to roll his way if he hopes for back-to-back wins.
Top contender – Grangeclare West
Jockey: Patrick Mullins | Trainer: Willie Mullins
Grangeclare West has been resting for 46 days after his win at Fairyhouse on 21 February. He picked up 3 wins in a row in late 2023, but for the next 2 years his best finish was a single 2nd place on 1 February last year.
A major piece of news is that Nick Rockett’s win last year was with jockey Patrick Mullins in tow, but Mullins is going to be pushing Grangeclare West hard in this Saturday’s Grand National. That could make a big difference and backs up the strong odds on the 7-yr-old bay gelding.
Hot tip – Iroko
Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. | Trainer: Oliver Greenall
Iroko has huge backing after last year’s superb performance that saw the 8-yr-old bay gelding fight his from the back of the field from fence one through to a final placing of 4th in the Grand National 2025. His last race a month ago saw him place 10th in a field of 12 after an 80-day break that had yielded a 2nd place and a 1st place. Prior to that he pulled in placings of 2-4-2-4, which shows the power of this classy stayer who adds in great ability at the jumps.
Verdict
I Am Maximus is again the hot favourite, while defending champ Nick Rockett is likely to be off the pace. Grangeclare West and Iroko are rated highly as top contenders for the title.
I Am Maximus Win
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Grangeclare West Win
Result
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Iroko Win
Result
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Nick Rockett Win
Result
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