Former Winners I Am Maximus & Nick Rockett Top Grand National 2026 Weights
With March only a few days old, racing is about to step into the most magical period of the year. For fans of top-class jumping action, it simply doesn’t get any better than the March/April double of the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree Grand National Meeting. With Cheltenham first off the conveyor belt, we are now deep into preview night season, as fans make their final punting preparations for the Prestbury Park bonanza.
Amidst the endless discussions regarding the likely winners of the Champion Hurdle, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and so on, it was easy to miss the latest significant development ahead of the Aintree Grand National. Mid-February saw the unveiling of the official Grand National weights at a lavish annual lunch at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
Rather than simply taking each horse’s official rating, the Grand National weights factor in a host of additional factors, including giving the classier animals a little leeway to encourage a high-quality race, and giving additional weight to runners with proven form over the famous fences. With the final weights confirmed for 2026, we have a host of familiar names at the top of the handicapper list.
1. I Am Maximus – Rating: 168, Weight: 11st12lb
Taking top spot is the 2024 winner and 2025 runner-up, I Am Maximus. Hailing from the yard of Willie Mullins, he thrives in stamina-sapping marathons such as this, having also claimed the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in 2023.
His 2026 Grand National rating is nine pounds higher than when scoring by seven and a half lengths in 2024 and one pound higher than when going down by two and a half lengths in 2025. Raced exclusively in Grade 1 company so far in 2025/26, his best effort came when finishing second in the Savills Chase. Classy, proven under the conditions, and fairly weighted, he bids to become the first horse to regain the Grand National after losing it since Red Rum in 1977.
2. Nick Rockett – Rating: 167, Weight: 11st11lb
Second on the list, and just one pound behind I Am Maximus, is the defending champ Nick Rockett. The 2025 hero also hails from the yard of Willie Mullins, but unlike his stablemate, he is yet to be seen at the track this season.
Reportedly suffering from a few niggles in the first half of the campaign, if Nick Rockett is to have a Grand National prep, it is most likely to come in no less a race than the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In raising him only four pounds for his two and a half length win, the handicapper has given him every chance of adding his name to the list of back-to-back winners.
3. Banbridge – Rating: 166, Weight: 11st11lb
Continuing the Irish theme at the head of the weights is a horse who is no stranger to success on the biggest stage. Now 10 years old, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Banbridge has registered famous wins at the Cheltenham Festival, Aintree Grand National Meeting, Punchestown Festival, and, most famously, the 2024 edition of the King George VI Chase at Kempton. Undoubtedly high class, Banbridge lost out by just a nose in the defence of his King George crown last time but has yet to tackle these fences or race over this far.
Grangeclare West – Rating: 166, Weight: 11st10lb
Having saddled the 1-2-3 in 2025, Mullins is responsible for three of the first four in the weights in 2026. Next in line is the horse that finished a three-length third in 2025. One pound better off with Nick Rockett this year and two pounds better off with I Am Maximus, this Cheveley Park Stud runner has every chance of going close once again. His prep for the race also catches the eye. Grangeclare West heads to Aintree on the back of a win in the Bobbyjo Chase, following the same path as I Am Maximus in 2024 and Nick Rockett in 2025.
Grey Dawning – Rating: 166, Weight: 11st10lb
Joining Banbridge and Grangeclare West on a Grand National mark of 166 is the Dan Skelton-trained Grey Dawning. With the Cheltenham Gold Cup as his main objective, it remains to be seen whether the nine-year-old takes up this engagement. However, with one hand on the British Trainer’s Championship trophy, Skelton may be tempted to let one of his classiest performers take his place in the field. Like many, the 4m2f trip represents a step into the unknown, but this dual Grade 1 winner jumps well and would rate an intriguing contender.
2025 Fourth Heads the Betting
Of the top five runners in the weights, only the second favourite, I Am Maximus, and the third favourite, Grangeclare West, occupy a similar position in the betting market. Leading the way, and the only horse available to back at a single figure price in the ante-post market, is the horse that finished a gallant fourth in 2025.
Representing the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero training duo, Iroko was the only British runner to finish in the top nine 12 months ago. He is 5lb higher in the handicap this year, but has looked as well as ever in his two starts this season. Finishing second to King George hero the Jukebox Man on his seasonal return at Haydock, he took a step forward to claim the Howden Graduation Chase at Ascot in December. Going in the famous green and gold, he may hand JP McManus a record-breaking fourth win in the race.