Selecting the right horse to back in the Randox Grand National can be a real head scratcher, however for those wanting to get ahead of the game then look no further.
A good starting point is often looking back at the most recent renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase to see if there were any eye-catchers that could turn a good run in defeat into a winning one on their return to the race.
However, there are plenty of horses outside of having a run over the unique fences that will have proven their appetite for a stamina test that marks them out as potential Grand National contenders.
And below we have selected five horses that come the spring will hopefully take their place in the Aintree showpiece on April 11th. Follow horse betting in the UK with FIRST for more expert-led predictions and analysis to stay ahead.
Cruz Control (Tom Lacey) (66/1 with Ladbrokes)
The last two seasons has seen Cruz Control save his best for the Randox Grand National meeting after recording back-to-back victories in the William Hill Handicap Chase.
That race is staged over three-miles and one-furlong and, on both occasions, the Tom Lacey-trained stayed on well to indicate he could be a future Grand National prospect.
While he has won on heavy ground in the past it appears, judging by his last two wins at Aintree, that he is able to show his best on better conditions, which is a big positive.
Like so many his stamina for the race has to be proven, but he wasn’t beaten a million miles into fifth in the 2024 Betting.Bet Eider Handicap Chase over an extended four miles one furlong on testing ground.
Interestingly, before winning at the meeting last year, his trainer had given him a spin over the Aintree-style fences down in Lambourn to suggest it is a race that has been on the mind for a while.
Montys Star (Henry de Bromhead) (33/1 with Ladbrokes)
If there is to be a horse that possesses a touch of genuine Grade One star quality to contest the 2026 Grand National then Montys Star could be the answer.
Since winning a beginners’ chase at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve in 2023 the Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding has raced at Grade One level on five of his six subsequent starts.
Last season there was to be no victory for the Walk In The Park gelding, however it was far from a campaign of disappointment on his first outside the novice chase ranks.
Solid efforts in both the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup might leave connections wanting to have another at those sorts of prizes again with another summer on his back.
However, an interesting alternative option, should early signs suggest he remains just short of that level, is campaigning him with a Grand National in mind.
And given how the race has changed in recent seasons to suit horses such as Montys Star that have that bit of class he could be a lively candidate.
Mr Vango (Sara Bradstock) (50/1 with Ladbrokes)
When it comes to horses built for the famous Aintree fences then Mr Vango is it. Not only is he an imposing individual, but he is a gelding that is stacked full of stamina.
Last season the son of Ocovango missed out on getting in the race, but off his current mark of 152, which he was given after winning the JenningsBet Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March, he will have no problem in making the final field of 34.
Ground is key to Mr Vango, who is seen at his best when conditions are attritional, however he showed he can handle good to soft ground on his last appearance.
While he might not have the pace to lay up with the best of them on quicker ground should the heavens open up at Aintree then there are few horses better to have on your side than Mr Vango who will carry on resolutely when plenty of others have cried enough.
Resplendent Grey (Olly Murphy) (33/1 with Coral)
Resplendent Grey started his campaign with a victory over fences at Uttoxeter before ending in the same fashion with a power-packed display of stamina in the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown Park.
There was more than an indication he would be a player in the feature prize on the final day of the jumps season at Sandown Park when staying on into fourth in the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
He was only nudged up five pounds for his last victory to a new mark of 147, which would have secured his entry into this year’s Grand National.
At the turn of the year the Walk In The Park gelding will turn eight, which is the same age as six of the last 10 winners of the race, and as far as profiles go he has an ideal one for the race given he is a stayer that likes decent ground.
The Changing Man (Joe Tizzard) (66/1 with Coral)
The Changing Man proved a model of consistency last season with a string of fine efforts in defeat in some of the hottest staying handicap chases on the calendar
He finally gained a deserved first victory over fences when making the most of that experience in the Grade Two Ebony Horse Club Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot.
That effort was swiftly backed up by a solid second in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham before finishing third on his Grade One debut in the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree.
Although coming up short at the top table he looks tailor made to have a campaign geared around culminating with an outing in the Grand National.
Off a mark of 142 he will need to go up in the weights to get a run, but off that mark expect him to bag at least one nice handicap chase on route to an appearance at Aintree.
