Nick Rockett heads 78 Grand National entries

LAST year's winner Nick Rockett and 2024 hero I Am Maximus head the 78 initial entries revealed for the 2026 £lmillion Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse.

- By CHRIS WRIGHT Racing Reporter

stable-mate I Am Maximus (left) at Aintree Racecourse in April last year

(NIGEL FRENCH/PA)

While last season's fourth home, Iroko, is the current ante-post favourite at 7-1 with most bookmakers.Both previous Aintree winners are trained by British and Irish champion Willie Mullins, who has 15 entries among the 78 - a number which is significantly down on previous years.

Nine-year-old Nick Rockett, who was ridden by Mullins’ son and assistant Patrick last April, provided the Irish handler with a third victory after Hedgehunter's 2005 success in the Aintree showpiece and I Am Maximus two years ago. He is currently a 25-1 chance with official betting partner William Hill, while the JP McManus-owned I Am Maximus, who also finished second to his stablemate at Aintree last season, is 12-1 with most bookmakers to become the eighth official dual winner of the world’s greatest steeplechase.