Grangeclare West and I Am Maximus emerge as the top picks according to BBC pundits John Hunt and Gina Bryce for the 2026 Grand National at Aintree. Hunt's 7-13 favorite is the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old who finished third last year, while Bryce's 9-15 choice, Grangeclare West, showed class with a third-place finish despite being hampered. 11st 12lb is the top weight carried by I Am Maximus, a Mullins runner who won the 2024 race. Banbridge, a 10-year-old by Joseph O'Brien, carries 11-11 and has a 5/10 rating, having won the King George but struggling over the trip previously. Haiti Couleurs, a 9-year-old by Rebecca Curtis, offers a 14-17 chance, having won the Welsh Grand National but facing questions over stamina on soft ground. Spillane's Tower (7/10, 28-18) and Favori de Champdou (6/10, 33-11) are other Mullins/Elliott runners with strong recent form but significant handicaps. The race features 34 runners, with Lecky Watson (4/10, 33-11) and Champ Kiely (4/10, 28-13) considered longshots.

Ground conditions will be critical, especially for horses like Haiti Couleurs and Firefox (5/10, 50-19), whose stamina is unproven over the marathon trip.