Michael Owen shares his best bets for the 2026 Aintree Grand National Festival.
Day 1: Aintree Hurdle – BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD 2/1
Let’s look at the first day. I think that the Aintree Hurdle is the best race of the day. It’s a Grade 1 with a lot of Champion Hurdle from Cheltenham on show here.
You’ve got THE NEW LION, who came third in the Champion Hurdle and is the favourite. BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD is in just behind, yet it was the other way around with BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD finishing a half-length clear of THE NEW LION in the Champion Hurdle.
Then you’ve got ALEXEI, who also ran in the Champion Hurdle, along with GOLDEN ACE, who came fifth in that race.
I think BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD is the one to side with here. She’s got Aintree form, and as second favourite, she’s probably the value in the Aintree Hurdle.
Day 2: Melling Chase – HEART WOOD 6/4
Another Grade 1 contest, the Melling Chase, is a fascinating contest with form from all over the place in this one. You’ve got HEART WOOD who won the Ryanair Chase very easily, while GREY DAWNING carries Gold Cup form into this race, coming fourth in that contest. And then L’EAU DE SUD, who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, was third in the Champion Chase.
I’m going with the favourite in this one, HEART WOOD. As I said, won the Ryanair really easily and I think he could go win again here.
Day 3 – The Randox Grand National – PANIC ATTACK 12/1
The big race on Saturday is obviously the Randox Grand National. £500 000 to the winner. I think that JP McManus has such a good string of horses in this race.
He’s got the favourite I AM MAXIMUS, who was second last season but is top weight this time around. And then he’s got other chances like IROKO, JAGWAR, JOHNNYWHO, OSCARS BROTHER, SPILLANE’S TOWER, PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS – so seven heroes representing him in this race.
However, I’m going to go for one down the weights here in the form of PANIC ATTACK. He’s trained by Dan Skelton and sneaks in with a low weight and could be the one to focus on.
