The 2026 Grand National
The Grand National, “the ultimate test for horse and rider” has been taking place at Aintree near Liverpool since 1839. The grand national horse racing event is the biggest jump race in Europe and the biggest on the horse racing calendar.
Millions of viewers tune in and place bets from around the world, and its length makes it notoriously hard to predict. This year’s race, meanwhile, will take place Saturday the 11th of April. Therefore let us have a look at the betting favourites, the 3 days event and race schedule for the Grand National 2026.
A Three Day Affair
The National has been a staple of horse racing for 187 years. It was first won by “the Duke” who went on to win it again in the second year. What sets the race apart from other races is the amount of fences and the distance. There are 30 fences to jump in the two laps that stretch 4 miles and 2 furlongs (6.9km).
Furthermore, the event takes place over three days and starts with Opening Day on Thursday the 9th of April, Ladies Day is on the Friday and the Grand National Day falling on Saturday. In total, about a 150 thousand patrons make their way to the grounds over the three day period with millions tuning in to watch the main race on the telly.
The Races Scheduled at the Grand National
The grand national 2026 horse racing event offers three days racing. Each day has 7 events which include handicap, novice and Grade 1 Championship races. Notably, each day has one race which is the highlight of the day.
The main race on Opening Day is the Aintree Bowl with prize money of £250 000. It is a Grade 1 Chase of 3 miles and 1 furlong.
Similarly, Ladies Day’s biggest race is the Melling Chase with prize money of £250 000. The Melling Chase is a Grade 1 race over 2 miles and 4 furlongs.
Finally, the Grand National Race is the biggest on Grand National Day. It is a Handicap Steeple race of 4 miles and 514 yards carrying a purse of £100 000.
Favourites to Win and Betting on the Event
To place bet on the grand national is always fun due to how unpredictable the results are. The favourite to win has only done so 11 times in the last 100 years. In fact, horses with odds of a 100/1 have often won the race.
Placing a bet on the grand national online is made easy by Top Horse Race Betting Sites in South Africa that offer odds on the race. For example, here are a few horses running in the grand national that should be mentioned. These could potentially make a good bet.
Favourite Horses
I Am Maximus was the winner in 2024 and the runner up last year. His current odds are 10/1.
Meanwhile, Panic Attack is another strong contender with great odds of 20/1.
Additionally, good results in recent races put Grangeclare West as a favourite with odds of 15/1.
Then we also have Iroko who is the current number 1, finished 4th last year but been campaigning for 2026 victory. Nick Rockett and Haiti Couleurs must also remain in your wish list!
Have a look at the age, experience and weight before you put a bet on the grand national. Horses between the ages of 8 and 9 usually do well. Furthermore, experience and stamina also comes into play which is why horses that weigh less usually do better. Interestingly, an Interesting fact is that the race has only been won by a grey horse three times. So maybe that is a good place to look when betting.
Best Horse Racing Sites in South Africa
The Grand National 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest highlights on the global horse racing calendar, and South African punters are already gearing up for the action. As excitement builds around this iconic race, now is the perfect time to explore the best horse racing betting sites in South Africa that offer competitive odds, exciting promotions, and a seamless betting experience. Also have a look at our Horse racing Betting Guide for Beginners if you need some idea of betting markets.
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FAQ – The Grand National
Yes many of our preferred betting partners including 10bet, Hollywoodbets, Betway, Playa Bets and World Sports Betting offer different types of bets on the race.
Yes, Racing 240 on channel 240 on DSTV will be showing the main races of the event. The main race will be screened live at 17:00 in South Africa on Saturday.
There are three different types of races taking place at the Grand National. These include, Hurdles which have smaller obstacles and is faster races. On the other hand, Chases, which are more technical and have bigger fences. In addition, horses in Handicapped race carry different weights, this is done by a levelling system.
There are 55 horses that entered this year but only 34 will be running in the main race.
The event starts on Thursday the 9th of April with the main race taking place on Saturday the 11th at 17:00.