Maximus Gets the Max as Grand National Weights Are Revealed

by Roy Brindley, 19 February 2026

I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett and Banbridge head the weights for the 2026 Randox Grand National.

I Am Maximus will have to emulate the great Red Rum if he is to regain his Grand National crown in April. © Getty Images

Key Facts:

• I Am Maximus allotted top weight in his bid for a second Grand National.
• Last season’s Grand National winner, Nick Rockett, is joint second on the weights list.
• Five of the top six in the Grand National weights are trained in Ireland.
• Scottish Grand National winner, Captain Cody, gets in light.

I Am Maximus has been allotted top-weight, 11-stone 12-pounds, in the Randox Grand National for a second successive year. The 2024 Grand National winner finished second in the famous contest last April, proving he is more than capable of shouldering a burdensome weight while being competitive over Aintree’s famous fences.

Historically, only the legendary Red Rum has won the Grand National, returned to finish second, and then won it again. Back-to-back winners are almost as rare. Only Reynoldstown (1935/36), Red Rum (1973/74), and Tiger Roll (2018/19) have successfully defended their title.

If last season’s Grand National winner, Nick Rockett, is to join that select trio, he will have to do so carrying 11-stone 11-pounds. His burden means he is joint-second on the 2026 National weights list alongside 2024 King George VI Chase winner, Banbridge.

A Quality National Topped by Older Highly Rated Horses

At the unveiling of the Grand National weights, BHA handicapper Martin Greenwood, quoted in the Racing Post, said: “This year’s race really stands out in terms of quality. Although entries are slightly down overall, it’s at the bottom end where trainers are now realising there is no point in entering as they have no chance of getting in.”

“The 2024 winner, I Am Maximus, is only 1lb higher than last year at 168, and if successful for a second time on April 11, that would almost certainly be the highest mark a horse has won off in the modern era.”

Notably, the top nine in the 2026 Grand National weights are officially rated 164 or above. Eight of the top ten in the handicap are aged nine or 10, and five of the top six in the weights are trained in Ireland.

The Top 10 Horses in the Grand National Weights

• I Am Maximus 11-12
• Banbridge 11-11
• Nick Rockett 11-11
• Gerri Colombe 11-10
• Grangeclare West 11-10
• Grey Dawning 11-10
• Haiti Couleurs 11-10
• L’Homme Presse 11-8
• Spillane’s Tower 11-8
• Impaire Et Passe 11-5

Ante Post Favourite Allocated 11-Stone 1-Pound

The second bracket of horses in the handicap, allocated weights between 11-stone 4-pounds and 11-stone 1-pound, includes the long-standing ante-post favourite, Iroko. The JP McManus-owned and Guerriero family-trained horse has been allocated 11 stone 1 pound.

The eight-year-old has an entry in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where online betting sites quote his chances at 20/1. For the National, a race he finished fourth in last year, Iroko is top-priced 11/2.

"I think he's on a lovely weight."

Ruby Walsh highlights the one that takes his eye after the unveiling of the 2026 Randox Grand National weights @Niallhannity pic.twitter.com/NIk5A4VW6H

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 17, 2026

Another interesting horse in this section of the weights is two-time Stayers Hurdle winner, Flooring Porter. Aged 11, victory would make the Irish-trained star the oldest Grand National winner in 12 years. He would also become the first horse to win both the Stayers’ Hurdle and Grand National.

Horses 11-20 in the Grand National Weights

• Firefox 11-4
• Gentlemansgame 11-3
• Monty’s Star 11-3
• Spanish Harlem 11-3
• Lecky Watson 11-2
• Champ Kiely 11-2
• Western Ford 11-1
• Favori de Champdou 11-1
• Flooring Porter 11-1
• Iroko 11-1

Several Interesting Runners Among the Lower Weights

The National is restricted to 34 runners. Therefore, at this stage, only horses allocated 10-stone 10-pounds are guaranteed a place in the field. For any horse to replicate Minella Times (2021), Noble Yeats (2022) and Corach Rambler (2023), who all won the National carrying 10-stone 10-pounds or less, scratchings are needed.

Interesting potential runners set 11-stone or less include Midlands Grand National winner Mr Vango, four-time chase winner Jagwar, and the Irish-trained Oscars Brother, who has won his last three starts.

At 20/1 odds, the shortest-priced entry among the lower-weighted horses is Captain Cody. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has won only one chase race, but that was last season’s Scottish Grand National over four miles.

Horses at the Bottom of the Grand National Handicap

• Three Card Brag 11-0
• Handstands 10-13
• Oscars Brother 10-13
• Mr Vango 10-12
• Beauport 10-10-11
• Better Days Ahead 10-11
• High Class Hero 10-11
• Ile Atlantique 10-11
• Resplendent Grey 10-11
• Stellar Story 10-11
• Captain Cody 10-10
• French Dynamite 10-10
• Jagwar 10-10

It Is Ante Post Grand National Bets Only

Unlike the Cheltenham Festival races, online bookmakers are not offering non-runner no bet terms on the Grand National, which is the most popular betting event in the UK. Based on the best odds currently available, the ante-post market reads as follows:

11/2 Iroko, 12/1 I Am Maximus, 14/1 Haiti Couleurs, 16/1 Panic Attack, 18/1 Nick Rocket, 20/1 Grangeclare West, 20/1 Monty’s Star, 20/1 Captain Cody, 22/1 Lecky Watson, 25/1 Oscars Brother, 28/1 Now Is The Hour, 28/1 Spillane’s Tower, 33/1 Bar.

The £1 million Randox Grand National is scheduled for Saturday, April 11. Beforehand, March 3 is a significant date as the first round of scratchings will be announced. This year the final field will be declared 72 hours before the race.