Grand National 2026

[Onelife]

Only four days to go before 34 brave horses and jockeys line up for what is vaunted as the greatest NH race in the world. With an estimated 600 million world wide viewing audience, who over the years have witnessed legends being created and stories that have touched the hearts of nations. Who can forget 3 time winning Grand National horse Red Rum or Bob Champion winning on Aldiniti and of course the first winning female jockey Racheal Blackmore riding Minella Times to victory.

It is estimated that here in the UK 13 million will be splashing out trying to find the winner.

Hopefully the link below will help in your attempts of being able to say…”I picked the Grand National Winner “

https://www.sportinglife.com/amp/racing ... ree/231331

I will be posting my idea of the winner later in the week but until that time here is a little something that should put you in the mood for what is to come…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOlpGCjuzig

Good luck.

[oldbluefox]

I’m pinning all my hopes on you and Pompey picking the winner. Don’t let me down

[Portsmouth]

I’m pinning all my hopes on you and Pompey picking the winner. Don’t let me down

When I read that .....Hysterical sounds of laughter could be hear from my living room
Sorry OBF but there's more chance of Leicester City winning the FA cup & being top of the Premier next year than me choosing the winner

[Onelife]

Tomorrow sees the start of the Aintree three day festival with the amateurs stretching their legs over the national fences for what for many will be the first time.
“
It is this race that I shall be making my only selection. If the strong fav “Barton Snow falters then “Music Drive” may be the one to give me a good run for my money. “Barton Snow” beat my selection last time out so there aren't many reasons why he shouldn’t do it again, however, whilst Music Drive is an out and out stayer I think the drop in distance (2 mile 5f) might just play to his advantage in what is going to be a fast paced race.

Music Drive 3.30 £5 win

I’ve looked at the other races but can’t see any value.
“
Pompey you will no doubt be surprised that I'm not backing “Spillane's Tower"? The reason for this is that I don’t think he should be running on ground that has been deemed “not to his liking”. I would rather not back him and see him win, than to back him and then see him get injured.

There are plenty of races to be had with this class horse but tomorrow isn't one of them, imo

[Portsmouth]

Not forgetting of course that Bartons Snows stable mate Gracchus De Balme is also running & also won last year. Music Drive might be able to sneak in to win but I have my doubts.
Looks like Spillanes tower is running in the 14:55 tomorrow.

Maybe your concerns about the ground will ease if I tell you according to google ai
Yes, Aintree has been watered today, Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Clerk of the Course Sulekha Varma confirmed that the team is applying another 6 to 8 millimetres of water today. This follows a significant watering session on Tuesday, where 8 to 10 millimetres were applied across the National, Mildmay, and hurdles tracks
So maybe the ground be be ok for Spillanes Tower.

The watering is a strategic move to counteract a spell of warm, dry weather (with temperatures reaching 19–20°C) and to ensure the ground remains safe and consistent for the start of the Grand National Festival tomorrow.
Official Going: Good to Soft all over.
The Goal: Officials are aiming to maintain "Good to Soft" conditions throughout the three-day meeting.
This might be useful regarding your choice of horses over the next three days.

[Portsmouth]

If you are one of those people who like to bet on a horse with a story behind it......Let me tell you about Twig
Twig is a big Longshot in Saturdays Grand National about 66/1 and came 10th in last years National ....so why back him ?
First of all Twig is a horse that only cost £100....yes you read that right £100

He was bought by the Morgan family so their son could ride him in point to points.....
He had a huge win in December last year with Mr Vango ( also in the grand national )in a photo finish in the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences. This means if he is fortunate enough to win the Grand National he would win an extra £ 500.000

So Twig will be ridden by the owners son Beau Morgan and if he wins what a huge emotional day that will be.
Just don't expect to see him hit the front early on.....Twig is one of those horses that if you hit the front too soon, he will slam on the brakes,

[Onelife]

Yes’ Pompey, if there is a race that conjures up heart warming stories it has to be the National. In the case of "Twig" this story has already been told because having a horse good enough to get into the National is a story in itself. Good luck to them both…they are going to need plenty of it. It was interesting that you mention pace in the National and for anyone thinking of backing a horse in the National you need to be looking for a horse that can keep up with the pace and not one that comes from off the pace…generaly speaking the winner normally comes from the leading horses so you’ll probably know your fate if your horse isn’t in the top 12 on the second circuit round. Ground conditions play a big part in finding the winner and as things stand look for horses that go on Good/good/soft…they will be going lickity-split and they won’t be hanging around for hitchhikers.

[Onelife]

Well I’m not one for sitting on the fence so here is my Grand National 1 2 3.

1st Iroko - I’ve been touting this one for months and while I’m still keen on its chances I would have liked to see a bit more juice in the ground to be really confident.

or

1st Champ Kelly - a horse that has been beaten a long way in its last two runs but this one shouldn’t be dismissed lightly….firstly, he comes from the Willie Mullins stable, he will enjoy the going, will more than likely lead (and stay out of trouble) his form reads well if you forget his last two runs so at 25/1 and bigger….this one should give you a good run for your/my money.

3rd Gerri Colombe - once a top class horse but still capable….he’s got a lot of weight to carry but looks to be coming back to form so an ew play….but not with my money.

Iroko - £5 win

Champ Kelly - £10 win.

[Portsmouth]

Let's not talk about how Music Drive failed to live up to your expectations today & whilst not really Grand National I think I'll mention some of the Aintree races on tomorrow. The big one tomorrow is the JCB Melling Chase followed by the Topham Chase.
I was pretty undecided about which horse to support for the Topham and on the basis that no favourite has won for a long time narrowed down my choice to three. Booster Bob, Bill Baxter & Il Est Francais.
Il Est Francais is top weight and previously kept stopping in races but with his recent wind surgery I'm hoping this unpredictable horse will return to his best form again....I have him @16/1 .....really splashed out £2 win ....Hasn't a hope has he
I've also had a small £1 win bet on Wellington Arch (first race) winning for the second time despite the big weight increase
Finally in the 16:40 I made an £1 e/way bet on Good Girl Kathleen in the 16:40 @33/1
I was passing the bookies when I was out today and with a few bob to spare decided to make a few fun bets for today without breaking the bank just don't follow my selections .....they come with a probably won't win Warning

[Onelife]

Ouch!... Music Drive finished 10th but I think you should also have mentioned “If the strong fav “Barton Snow falters then “Music Drive” may be the one to give me a good run for my money. “Barton Snow” beat my selection last time out so there aren't many reasons why he shouldn’t do it again,”

Barton Snow won the race.

There is no doubt Il Est Francais is a good horse, and one which appears to run his best races after a break which he will be getting tomorrow. As for his chances…well he has been pulled up on his last two outings, won’t be getting his favoured heavy going and is carrying top weight. If he didn’t have a hope, Pompey, he would be a bigger price than you have taken.

As you are aware I have gone for O Moore’ Park in the same race. I’ve also gone againt you in a couple of the other races…

1.45 Ike Sport £5 win

2.20 Miami Magic £5 win

3.30 Gidleigh Park £5 win

4.00 O moore Park £4 win £1 place

4.40 Mondoui Boy £5 win

The other good news is that I doubt J J Mangan will be training “Spillanes Tower” next season after the awful decision to run him today. I just hope they havn’t ruined this horse for the future.

[Portsmouth]

Not a good day for your ABC

Anyone thinking of choosing Nick Rockett ( last years winner ) had better choose again
Nick Rockett is now a Non Runner

Tomorrow I will be posting my Grand National choice

Special Request to Mervyn and Trish .....you mentioned some time ago about someone giving you a free betting slip that won at 100/1
If the same thing happens and you get another free betting slip ...please let us know the name of the horse whatever the price

[Ray B]

I've just noticed a horse running in the G national which reflects Onelife watching his runners stop for some grass, I think it may be worth him having a punt, the horse is =
Panic Attack.

[Onelife]

I've just noticed a horse running in the G national which reflects Onelife watching his runners stop for some grass, I think it may be worth him having a punt, the horse is =
Panic Attack.

Good morning Ray, there are some shrewd punters who think “Panic Attack” is the one to be on, however, you’re a bit late posting as I’ve just returned from the bookies having placed my bets…took the scenic route back through 14 miles of the lovely Shropshire countryside

[Stephen]

I've just noticed a horse running in the G national which reflects Onelife watching his runners stop for some grass, I think it may be worth him having a punt, the horse is =
Panic Attack.

I thought Onelife had his money on ‘Hercules’ owned by Albert and Harrold totting trotting in the 3.30.

[Onelife]

All I can say to you Stephen is...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guSSrBjpqQU

[Portsmouth]

Good to see you joining the discussion Stephen.....didn't you have 50p on The Last Samurai back in 2016...it's still running
Time to dip into Mrs S purse and choose one this year with her 50p or maybe spend a quid with an e/way bet

[Onelife]

Well done Pompey…Western Arch 1st 6/1 and didn’t my bet “Ike Sport” run a cracker 2nd 14/1

[Stephen]

Not me. I wash once a week whether i need it or not. There is a war on you know.

[Stephen]

Good to see you joining the discussion Stephen.....didn't you have 50p on The Last Samurai back in 2016...it's still running
Time to dip into Mrs S purse and choose one this year with her 50p or maybe spend a quid with an e/way bet

I only bet on certs. The cert is i don't bet on horses. As for spending a pound , i’m not made of money.

As for the Last Samurai, a good film.

[Portsmouth]

Hi Onelife, yes Wellington Arch ran well and I got 9/1 rather that the SP@ 6/1 so that paid for todays betting
couldn't watch the race even though at home...Mrs Pompy has strong feelings about NH races on tv when she is home & I respect that and yet when it come to flat races she is fine & has even been to Royal Ascot with me

Ok ....here we go. Just two selections for the Grand National
Jagwar is 9/1 but I made an anti-post bet in Feb so I've got him @ 66/1 win but now wish I'd made an e/way bet
Favori De Champdou the bookies I was in only gave me 28/1 but seems like you could get 33/1 at a different bookies.

I was interested in a few others but you can't back them all can you

[Onelife]

Not a good day at the races for me but well done Pompey in finding a 9/1 winner.

So what do we say in these situations…When racing is on bung your wife a fiver and tell her to go out and buy herself a new outfit

[Onelife]

Pompey, for what its worth, I think Jagwar has a great chance if he gets round....his jumping can be a bit hit and miss but looking at the way they've been jumping the National fences (not many falls) there is every chance he'll get round...what a great price

[Portsmouth]

Until there has been an investigation I guess we can only give an opinion
They said that Paul Townend ( an experienced jockey ) continued to use his whip to make his horse Gold Dancer win after a bad jump at the last fence and sadly the horse had to be put to sleep. It's obvious that Paul knew it was serious dismounting after the horse passed the winning line.
Townend explained that Gold Dancer had made a bad mistake at the last fence after which it had taken a stride or two for the gelding to gather himself before, in his opinion,
The question will be I guess...should the horse have been stopped after he fell & not pushed to finish the race at the winning line.

[Portsmouth]

Also to be fair to Paul Townend I think that it's highly unlikely that he would have ridden a finish if he thought that the horse was seriously injured.

[Onelife]

In this situation the jockey was between a rock and a had place…the horse made a bad mistake at the last but carried on running, albeit not with the gait of a sound horse…the jockey would have sensed this but could be excused because the jockey may have thought the horse was unbalanced after the fall. Jockeys are required to ride horses out to obtain the best possible position, and this he did. There wasn’t really enough time between the last and the finishing line to make a stop or keep-going judgement imo