Grand National 2027 ante-post guides
Grand National ante-post tips and trends
Updated 10 November 2026. Ante-post markets move a lot before March, so we refresh this guide after the key trials.
Aintree's handicap chase over the National fences, capped at 34 runners since the 2024 changes. I Am Maximus won it for the second time last April, at 9/2 favourite under top weight, making Willie Mullins the first trainer since Vincent O'Brien in the 1950s to win three in a row. He's the early favourite again, ahead of Irish National winner Soldier In Milan and last year's placed horses Iroko and Jordans. Weights aren't out until February and plenty of these won't make the cut or the start, so read this market as a sketch rather than a map.
He fits the profile: Irish-trained, eight next April, and his trainer Emmet Mullins has won this before with Noble Yeats. His 16-length Irish National win was the widest in that race this century. The big question is the Aintree fences, which he's never jumped, and how much weight he gets in February.
Key trends (2016-2026)
| Eight of the last ten winners were aged eight or nine | Noble Yeats won at seven in 2022 and I Am Maximus at ten last year. No horse aged 11 or older has won since Pineau De Re in 2014. The race wasn't run in 2020. |
| Irish stables have won eight of the last ten | Lucinda Russell's One For Arthur (2017) and Corach Rambler (2023) are the only British-trained winners in that spell. |
| Willie Mullins has won the last three | I Am Maximus (2024), Nick Rockett (2025) and I Am Maximus again (2026). His nephew Emmet Mullins won with Noble Yeats in 2022. |
| Favourites have won four of the last ten | Tiger Roll (2019), Corach Rambler (2023) and I Am Maximus in 2024 (joint) and 2026. |
| Big-priced winners still happen | Rule The World (33/1), Noble Yeats (50/1) and Nick Rockett (33/1) all won at 33/1 or bigger. |
| JP McManus has owned three of the last six winners | Minella Times (2021) and I Am Maximus twice. He also owned last year's runner-up Iroko. |
| It's still a test of survival | Only 16 of the 34 starters finished last year. |
The main contenders
Won in 2024 and 2026 and was second in between, so his record in the race reads 1-2-1. Carried top weight to win last year.
Against: Will be 11 next April, and no 11-year-old has won since 2014. He'll be at or near the top of the weights again.
Won the Irish Grand National by 16 lengths in April after very few chase runs, and will be eight next April, the age most recent winners have been. His trainer won this with Noble Yeats.
Against: Has never seen the National fences and is lightly raced, so the Aintree test is a big unknown. He'll also go up in the weights.
Third last year at 28/1, when he was in front at the last before being caught. Will be eight next April.
Against: Had little experience beyond three miles before last year's run and needs to see out the trip a bit better.
Fourth in 2025 and second last year, two and a half lengths behind I Am Maximus, so he clearly takes to the fences.
Against: Placed twice but yet to win a race of this stature, and he needs a bit more improvement to turn the tables.
Third in the 2025 National and won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last season.
Against: Unseated Patrick Mullins at the first fence last year.
Won the Ultima at Cheltenham last March and stayed on for fourth here at 12/1. Corach Rambler did the Ultima and National double in 2023.
Against: Needs to find more than last year, when three horses near the top of this market finished in front of him.
Won the 2025 National at 33/1.
Against: Missed last year's race with a cough on the Thursday of the meeting, so he has to show he's as good as he was in 2025.
Prices are a rough guide to the ante-post market when this guide was updated, not an offer.
What the tipsters say
- William Hill News: Took a 50/1 chance on Jamie Snowden's Wendigo, believing soft ground at Aintree would bring out his stamina.
- Grandnational.org.uk: Picks out Soldier In Milan as the newcomer to watch after his wide-margin Irish National win.
- Timeform: Its post-race analysis made I Am Maximus the highest-rated winner of the race on its figures.
- Racing Post: Reported that a British owner has bought into Soldier In Milan, describing him as an Aintree candidate among the market leaders.
Key trials to watch
- Becher Handicap Chase, Aintree (Early December)
- Welsh Grand National, Chepstow (27 December)
- Bobbyjo Chase, Fairyhouse (February)
- Grand National Trial, Haydock (February)
- Ultima Handicap Chase, Cheltenham (16 March 2027)
Newbury, Sat 28 Nov. Play the Cheltenham November Meeting free, then follow @Pats_NAPs and repost our pinned post on X. Closes in 4 days.
Planning ahead? Register free for the Grand National 2027 →
Aintree tips and NAPs: every meeting, today's picks and favourites →
FAQs
- What is Pat's NAPs' ante-post pick for the Grand National?
- Soldier In Milan. He fits the profile: Irish-trained, eight next April, and his trainer Emmet Mullins has won this before with Noble Yeats. His 16-length Irish National win was the widest in that race this century. The big question is the Aintree fences, which he's never jumped, and how much weight he gets in February.
- What are the key Grand National trends?
- Eight of the last ten winners were aged eight or nine. Irish stables have won eight of the last ten. Willie Mullins has won the last three.
- When is the Grand National?
- Saturday 10 April 2027, over 4m 2½f. The Grand National 2027 runs Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 April 2027.
Pick a horse in every race, name your NAP for double points and climb the leaderboard. No stake, no card, nothing to pay.
Follow Pat's NAPs for picks, prizes and results: Facebook · X @Pats_NAPs
Today's tips · NAP of the day · Pat's Daily NAP record · Festival tips · The Selector · What is a NAP?