The 2026 Grand National is almost here and a supercomputer has had its say on who will take the spoils at Aintree
A supercomputer has tipped Panic Attack to claim victory at the 2026 Grand National at Aintree this Saturday.
The withdrawal of defending champion Nick Rockett on Thursday has potentially thrown the race wide open, paving the way for a new winner to be crowned this weekend.
The 2024 winner, I Am Maximus, will be looking to prevent that from happening, with the Willie Mullins-trained horse emerging as the market favourite following the decision to pull Nick Rockett from the contest.
Grangeclare West is another horse running under the Mullins banner with a genuine chance of glory but it is actually a historic victory for British trainer Dan Skelton, aboard Panic Attack, that is being forecast.
That is according to calculations provided by a supercomputer, supplied by Boyle Sports, with the 10 year old – set to be ridden by Harry Skelton – given a 15.1 per cent win probability and predicted to clinch victory by two-and-a-half lengths.
Grangeclare West has been tipped to finish second with an 11.8 per cent win probability, while I Am Maximus, the other Mullins horse among the frontrunners, carries an 11.2 per cent chance of winning but is projected to endure his worst result in three years, having finished runner-up last year and triumphing in 2024, by coming in third.
It has further been forecast that Haiti Couleurs will finish fourth, carrying a 9.4 per cent chance of winning, with the placings rounded out by Oscars Brother and Jagwar in fifth and sixth respectively, each holding a 7.9 and 6.6 per cent chance of victory.
Iroko, Jonnywho, Stellar Story and Quai De Bourbon round out the top 10, with Gerri Colombe, Spanish Harlem and the well-supported Monty’s Star following closely behind.
Captain Gordon, Jordans and Favori De Champdou have all been tipped to finish ahead of 17th-placed Final Orders, who claimed victory in the Cross Country Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
The final four home are predicted to be Twig, Perceval Legallois, Answer to Kayf and The Real Whacker, meaning just 21 of the 37 declared runners are forecast to complete the course according to the supercomputer. The model has flagged Banbridge and Firefox as particularly high-risk contestants.
In calculating win probabilities and projected finishing positions, the simulation took into account seasonal form, weight-to-probability ratios, alongside the respective jockey and trainer credentials.
Panic Attack has been notably favoured over the two Mullins powerhouses – and it’s perhaps no surprise given that, according to Ladbrokes, the Dan Skelton-train 10-year-old has emerged as the public favourite for the race too, with nearly one in 10 punters backing the 15/2 second favourite.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “The Grand National is the one day of the year when the entire nation goes to the bookies and this year, the gamble on Panic Attack is making us run for cover.
“She is by far the most popular pick with our punters as she looks to make history. If she manages to finally break that 75-year mare curse, it’s going to be a massive result for the public and a very expensive afternoon for the bookmaking industry.”