Gordon Elliott will be strongly represented in the 2026 Randox Grand National, with five runners declared for Saturday’s Aintree marathon.

The Cullentra handler has long been one of the key players in major staying handicaps and once again brings a mix of class, stamina and experience to the biggest race of the jumping season.

Gordon Elliott runners in the 2026 Grand National

• Gerri Colombe – Jack Kennedy
• Firefox – Keith Donoghue
• Favori de Champdou – Danny Gilligan
• Three Card Brag – Jordan Gainford
• Stellar Story – Robert Dunne

Gerri Colombe leads Elliott challenge

Gerri Colombe is the standout name among the Elliott quintet. He brings top-class form into the race and has the ability to travel strongly in a contest of this nature.

The obvious question is whether he can fully see out the unique demands of Aintree’s four-and-a-quarter-mile examination, but there is no doubt about his quality. If he stays, he has the class to play a major role.

Firefox and Favori de Champdou bring solid profiles

Firefox has shaped like a horse who could be suited by a searching stamina test, while Favori de Champdou has the look of a proper staying handicap chaser. Both could easily outrun their market position if they settle into a good rhythm early.

In races like the Grand National, that counts for plenty. Jumping fluency, patience and the ability to keep finding under pressure are often just as important as raw class.

Three Card Brag and Stellar Story offer depth

Three Card Brag is another interesting runner for the yard. He is less exposed than some of the better-known names in the line-up and could still have progress in him over staying trips.

Stellar Story adds further strength to the Elliott team. He looks like one of those runners who may not dominate the headlines but could be staying on when others have cried enough. That makes him one to note for each-way and place markets.

Elliott knows how to target these races

One of Elliott’s key strengths is placing the right type of horse in the right staying handicap. His runners are usually battle-hardened, experienced in large fields and well schooled for the rough and tumble of a race like this.

That does not guarantee success, but it does mean his team demands plenty of respect. There is every chance one or more of this group will still be in serious contention turning for home.

SportsNewsIreland will have full Grand National betting analysis, including whether Elliott’s runners can challenge the Mullins battalion at Aintree.

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Irish-trained runners are set to play a major role in the 2026 Randox Grand National, with 23 of the 34 declared horses travelling from across the Irish Sea for Saturday’s Aintree marathon.

That is a significant number even by modern standards and again highlights the strength of Irish National Hunt racing in the sport’s biggest staying handicap chase.

Full list of Irish-trained runners in the 2026 Grand National

• I Am Maximus – W. P. Mullins
• Nick Rockett – W. P. Mullins
• Banbridge – Joseph O’Brien
• Grangeclare West – W. P. Mullins
• Gerri Colombe – Gordon Elliott
• Spillane’s Tower – James Joseph Mangan
• Firefox – Gordon Elliott
• Monty’s Star – Henry de Bromhead
• Spanish Harlem – W. P. Mullins
• Lecky Watson – W. P. Mullins
• Champ Kiely – W. P. Mullins
• Favori de Champdou – Gordon Elliott
• Three Card Brag – Gordon Elliott
• Oscars Brother – Connor King
• High Class Hero – W. P. Mullins
• Stellar Story – Gordon Elliott
• Captain Cody – W. P. Mullins
• Perceval Legallois – Gavin Cromwell
• Gorgeous Tom – Henry de Bromhead
• Quai de Bourbon – W. P. Mullins
• Answer To Kayf – Terence O’Brien
• Jordans – Joseph O’Brien
• Final Orders – Gavin Cromwell

Willie Mullins leads the charge

It is no surprise to see Willie Mullins dominate the Irish list. The champion trainer sends a large and varied team, headed by I Am Maximus, one of the headline names in the field.

Mullins also saddles Nick Rockett, Grangeclare West, Spanish Harlem, Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, High Class Hero, Captain Cody and Quai de Bourbon.

Strong support from Elliott and the rest

Gordon Elliott is represented by Gerri Colombe, Firefox, Favori de Champdou, Three Card Brag and Stellar Story, giving him a strong hand in the race once more.

Elsewhere, Joseph O’Brien relies on Banbridge and Jordans, while Henry de Bromhead sends Monty’s Star and Gorgeous Tom. Gavin Cromwell has two runners in Perceval Legallois and Final Orders.

Leading Irish hopes for Aintree

I Am Maximus is the obvious starting point. Proven at the highest level and strongly fancied in the market, he looks one of the major players again.

Grangeclare West is another notable contender, while Gerri Colombe brings class to the table if he can see out the extreme test. Perceval Legallois is one of the more interesting each-way angles from the Irish team, while Stellar Story has the profile of a horse who could outrun bigger odds.

Can Ireland land the race again?

The numbers suggest Ireland will take plenty of stopping. There is quality at the top of the market, depth through the middle of the handicap and no shortage of proven big-race operators among the trainers and jockeys involved.

SportsNewsIreland will continue its build-up with more trainer-specific guides and betting analysis before the tapes rise at Aintree on Saturday afternoon.

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The field for the 2026 Randox Grand National has been confirmed, with 34 runners declared for Saturday’s Aintree showpiece and a strong Irish challenge once again dominating the market.

The world’s most famous steeplechase, run over 4m 2f 74y on the Grand National course, goes to post at 4.00pm on Saturday, 11 April. The current going is listed as Good to Soft, Good in places.

Irish-trained horses account for 23 of the 34 declared runners, underlining the strength of the travelling team for one of the biggest races in the National Hunt calendar.

Randox Grand National 2026 declared runners and riders

• 1 I Am Maximus – Paul Townend
• 2 Nick Rockett – Tom Bellamy
• 3 Banbridge – J. J. Slevin
• 4 Grangeclare West – Mr P. W. Mullins
• 5 Gerri Colombe – Jack Kennedy
• 6 Haiti Couleurs – Sean Bowen
• 7 Spillane’s Tower – Simon Torrens
• 8 Firefox – Keith Donoghue
• 9 Monty’s Star – Darragh O’Keeffe
• 10 Spanish Harlem – Brian Hayes
• 11 Lecky Watson – Sean O’Keeffe
• 12 Champ Kiely – Danny Mullins
• 13 Iroko – Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
• 14 Favori de Champdou – Danny Gilligan
• 15 Three Card Brag – Jordan Gainford
• 16 Oscars Brother – Daniel King
• 17 Mr Vango – Jack Tudor
• 18 High Class Hero – James Bowen
• 19 Stellar Story – Robert Dunne
• 20 Beauport – Sam Twiston-Davies
• 21 Captain Cody – Jonathan Burke
• 22 Jagwar – Mark Walsh
• 23 Perceval Legallois – Harry Cobden
• 24 Gorgeous Tom – Sean Flanagan
• 25 The Real Whacker – Gavin Sheehan
• 26 Quai de Bourbon – Donagh Meyler
• 27 Answer To Kayf – John Shinnick
• 28 Jordans – Ben Jones
• 29 Final Orders – Conor Stone-Walsh
• 30 Marble Sands – Kielan Woods
• 31 Panic Attack – Harry Skelton
• 32 Top of The Bill – Toby McCain-Mitchell
• 33 Johnnywho – Richie McLernon
• 34 Twig – Beau Morgan

Latest betting odds

I Am Maximus heads the market at around 8/1, with Grangeclare West next best at 10/1. Jagwar is priced at 11/1, while Panic Attack and Iroko are both available at 12/1.

Further down the list, Haiti Couleurs and Johnnywho are around 14/1, while Nick Rockett, Oscars Brother and Captain Cody can be backed at roughly 16/1.

Race details and prize money

The Randox Grand National carries a total prize fund of £1,000,000, with £500,000 going to the winner. Second place is worth £200,000, third receives £100,000, while the first ten home all collect prize money.

The race is restricted to horses aged seven and above, with strict qualification conditions based on chase experience, official ratings and proven stamina over extended trips.

Irish domination continues at Aintree

The Irish challenge is formidable once again. Willie Mullins alone is responsible for a large section of the field, while Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead, Joseph O’Brien, Gavin Cromwell and other Irish handlers are all represented.

That depth is a major reason why the market is so heavily shaped by Irish-trained runners. On paper, this looks another renewal in which the raiding party could hold the strongest hand.

SportsNewsIreland will have more Grand National coverage across the week, including Irish runners, trainer guides and betting picks ahead of Saturday’s feature at Aintree.

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