For fans of staying chases, there is no better time than springtime. As ever, April sees the Grand Nationals of Aintree, Fairyhouse, and Ayr take centre stage. The Scottish version is still to come, but last week began with the Easter Monday showpiece from Ireland and ended with the 2026 edition of the titanic betting heat on Merseyside.
The English and Irish Grand National heroes dominate our news roundup this week. Elsewhere, a sombre note was struck at the Kingsclere yard of Andrew Balding as leading 2,000 Guineas fancy, Gewan, tragically lost his life.
A Modern Day Red Rum: I Am Maximus Awesome at Aintree
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | I Am Maximus | 9/2F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2nd | Iroko | 18/1 | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero | Jonjo O’Neill Jr |
| 3rd | Jordans | 28/1 | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | Ben Jones |
| 4th | Johnnywho | 12/1 | Jonjo & A J O’Neill | Richie McLernon |
Saturday, 11th April, was the date in the diary for the biggest race of the British season. Whether on the flat or over jumps, no other event can compare to the Aintree Grand National. The most watched contest of the season and dwarfing the competition in terms of prize money, the 4m2½f marathon with its cast of famous fences produced an enthralling renewal.
Of the many millions staked on the 2026 Aintree Grand National, a significant percentage headed in the direction of the 2024 champion I Am Maximus – including an individual on-course bet of £100,000 at 8/1. In the end, I Am Maximus started as a heavily backed 9/2 favourite, and he didn’t let his supporters down.
Smuggled around the inside by Paul Townend, the JP McManus-owned star led a green and gold battalion which set off in pursuit of Jordans around the elbow. As Jordans began to wilt, I Am Maximus found top stride to forge clear to triumph by two and a half lengths.
This result was a blow to the bookmaking industry, which faced a payout of an estimated £10m. For the horse, this was a momentous achievement. Too good for the field in 2024 and second to stablemate Nick Rockett in 2025, I Am Maximus became the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to regain the Grand National, having previously lost it.
This gladiator of a horse also took his trainer into the record books. With four Grand National wins, Willie Mullins now sits in a four-way tie as the most successful trainer in the race’s history. Also winning the race for a fourth time, JP McManus moved out on his own at the top of the all-time owners’ table.
Soldier Saunters to Fairyhouse Gold
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Soldier In Milan | 6/1F | Emmet Mullins | Donagh Meyler |
| 2nd | Showurappreciation | 10/1 | Jonathan Sweeney | Mark Walsh |
| 3rd | The Enabler | 28/1 | Gordon Elliott | Danny Gilligan |
| 4th | Argento Boy | 16/1 | Willie Mullins | Sean O’Keeffe |
Five days before Willie Mullins grabbed the racing headlines, his nephew Emmet stole the spotlight at Fairyhouse. Having trained 2022 Aintree hero Noble Yeats, Emmet Mullins was no stranger to Grand National success. However, he had not yet claimed his home Grand National. In fairness to the County Carlow handler, he did have a reasonable excuse for that, as he had never previously had a runner in the Irish Grand National.
Having swerved the race in the past, many punters took the hint that Mullins considered Soldier In Milan worthy of a shot at the 2026 prize. A lightly raced sort who arrived with only five starts under rules to his name, a late surge of support saw the mount of Donagh Meyler sent off as the 6/1 favourite in the 30-runner field.
Those who sided with the market leader had few moments of concern. Whereas the Aintree Grand National produced a thrilling finish, Soldier In Milan could be called the winner some way from home. Taking the lead at the fourth last, he had put daylight between himself and the rest by the second last and ultimately crossed the line 16 lengths clear of his nearest rival.
I Am Maximus won the Irish Grand National one year before his first Aintree success. It would be no surprise to see Soldier In Milan attempt to replicate that feat in 2027.
RIP Gewan – Routine Gallop Ends in Heartbreak
With Aintree in the books for another year, the thoughts of many fans will now focus more firmly on the flat. As the season begins to find its stride, the first of 2026’s Classic meetings begins at Newmarket on Friday, 1st May. The opening Classics of the season top the bill at HQ, as the most talented colts and fillies set out in pursuit of 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas glory.
Both races are almost guaranteed to provide an early sighting of stars who will go on to shine throughout the season. Tragically, one of those stars will not be the 2025 Champion Juvenile, Gewan.
RIP Gewan ❤️
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 9, 2026
One of the leading fancies for the 2,000 Guineas, last season’s Dewhurst Stakes hero headed to Kempton on 9th April as part of his preparations. In a desperately sad example of disaster striking when you least expect it, Gewan suffered an injury during a routine gallop and tragically could not be saved.
In a further blow to the 2,000 Guineas, the ante-post second favourite Publish has also been ruled out of the race. Found to be lame in his box, Publish will miss his early-season targets but is expected to be back for the second half of the year.
