2026 Grand National LIVE: Latest news, runners and updates

And throughout too. Extremely challenging for riders and horses alike.

Incredible run from I Am Maximus however. And spare a thought (of jealousy) for that punter who backed him with a £100,000 bet at 8-1.

He does it! He is the first horse since Red Rum to regain the National, and it’s in some style, turning on the afterburners as leader Jordans runs out of puff at the last.

What history!

Jordans is looking to steal a march here, clear by half a dozen lengths, but here comes Johnnywho!

… as I Am Maximus makes a mistake ahead of Valentine’s, and Top Of The Bill also struggles over it.

High Class Hero is still in it, five from home, as Iroko and Jordans travel well.

Two loose horses in front, however.

I Am Maximus is keeping a nice racing line on the inside, but a loose horse is really troubling Amirite at the front.

Top Of The Bill leads now, as Jagway, Stellar Story, and Beauport are troubled over the 22nd.

The loose halls falls, hampering a few, but is up quickly.

While Banbridge is out over the water jump, but High Class Hero hangs tough as they turn away and up to the 17th.

Amirite continues to see daylight in the front as they begin the final circuit.

While Amirite hangs on at the front, with Top Of The Bill in second.

High Class Hero and Lecky Watson are keeping up with the front riders, but we have a loose horse cantering along the near rail looking to join in the fun. Hopefully he is secured safely soon.

The Real Whacker, now pulled up, ahead of the 14th fence.

No shortage of early action around the challenging course, which also sees Gerri Colombe tip off Jack Kennedy.

Leading at the front is Amirite, a reserve called up late by trainer Henry De Bromhead.

A later rising favourite, Grangeclare West unseats his rider.

Then at the second fence, more chaos, as Quai De Bourbon and favourite Panic Attack are down and out.

Hopefully, they’re all safe. But major early drama.

Clutter at the start as they await the final horse, The Real Whacker, and the rest are too fast coming up to the flag.

The horses take a turn ahead of the tape, but they’re still very close, which the starters want to avoid – another delay.

But a moment later, they’re off and racing, with High Class Hero and The Real Whacker among the first cohort.

As the runners and riders start to arrive, the first of the 34 involved sneak a peek over the first fence.

Moments to go until we’re underway – as long as we avoid the dreaded false starts which plagued Cheltenham – and hopefully, we get an excellent race and a safe trip for every horse and jockey.

After being led out to the parade ring by last year’s winning jockey, Patrick Mullins, who won aboard Nick Rockett – withdrawn for this year.

Not long to go until they head to post.