Grand National & Aintree Festival Antepost Tips 2026
The 2026 Aintree Festival is almost here, with just over a week to go. The festival takes place from Thursday 9th April - Saturday 11th April. On Saturday is the big one, the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase, which begins at 16:00.
It can be advantageous to bet antepost just before the big meeting and get on at good odds before more racing fans pile in on the top horses and force down the odds price.
Anyone who watched Dan Skelton's 5/5 come in recently will know odds went from 1000/1 the night before for the 5-fold to only 50/1 on the day. The Early bird catches the worm indeed.
In this antepost racing tips preview, we will give our best tips for the three races with declared runners at the time of press: the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase on Thursday, the Randox Topham Handicap Chase on Friday, and the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase on Saturday 11th April.
For any antepost bets on the Grand National we would recommend bet365 as they are "No Runner No Bet" for the big race. You can claim this below...
Aintree Antepost Festival Tips
2m5f (2m5f19y) (Grand National) Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase (Class 2) (6yo+) - Thursday 3:30.
Best Bet - Barton Snow - 3/1 WIN BET @ Bet365
It's difficult to look past current favourite Barton Snow, who comes from the J J O'Shea yard (won this race last year) and has been dominating hunter chases this season. The horse has won 5/5 previous Hunter's Chases, including a strong performance at the Cheltenham Royal Challenge Cup over 3m21/2f. Cheltenham is a useful indication for this race, and we expect Barton Snow to do the double. His trainer has had this race in his sights all season. Barton Snow has posted some of the highest recent RPRs (Rated 144 for Cheltenham performance) in the field and looks a cut above many of these. Only Unexpected Party is higher on official ratings. Mr Henry Crow is expected to take the ride and is a cracking amateur rider. Aintree should hopefully suit this horse, and connections will be extremely confident of a big run.
Next Best - Unexpected Party - 4/1 E/W @ Bet365
If anyone is going to spoil the party unexpectedly (pun intended) for Barton Snow, it's gonna be a Skelton plot job. Unexpected Party has posted very consistent high ratings around the 147-149 mark and has solid hunter chase form with 2/2 wins in 2026. Possibly fresher than Barton Snow, as Unexpected Party skipped the Cheltenham Festival (Although it did win at Cheltenham 2024 & 2nd in 2025). If the ground stays on the softer side, it can only help this tough, classy performer. He's 11 years old now, but at 4/1 it's just about backable each-way as a saver.
2m5f (2m5f19y) (Grand National) Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) - Friday 4:05
Best Bet - Madara - 6/1 @ Bet365
Madara heads the market and is a worthy favourite for handicap magician Dan Skelton. The 7-year-old has been raised 10lb for his win in the Sun Racing Plate at Cheltenham, but still looks capable of going in again off an official rating of 150. He has shown strong recent form and should handle the unique fences and test here. Versatile on ground and with a good weight, it's a fantastic each-way bet at this price.
Outsider - Will The Wise - 8/1 E/W @ Bet365
Will The Wise from the Gavin Cromwell yard is an interesting early market mover currently at 8/1 (down from 14s). Although Madara just beat him 7 and 1/2 lengths at Cheltenham, he is now 8lb better off than the current favourite. At Cheltenham, a bad mistake at the first from Will the Wise possibly flatters how much better Madara is than Will the Wise. He is also likely to appreciate the extra furlong at the Topham and the more testing nature of Aintree. If things go his way early, he can outrun his odds and give us a great run for our money. Connections will be hoping for a good day at Aintree.
4m2½f (4m2f74y) (Grand National) Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (7yo+) - Saturday 16:00
Best Bet - I Am Maximus - 15/2 E/W (5 places) @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
It's the big one of the festival, the Grand National. Unlike in years gone by, the Grand National is less of a test, the fences are easier, and the distance has shortened, and as such, it is slightly less of a lottery. For this reason, you often see a horse at the top of the market winning or at least placing. The trend we are seeing is that the classy horses dominate.
With that in mind, we are going to go with the current favourite, I Am Maximus. Looking to go one better than his second last year (after winning in 2024). Trained by Willie Mullins, this 10-year-old has the ideal profile for the Grand National, and there isn't a better recent horse for this race; he's an absolute legend. Top weight is less of an issue these days, with class and stamina being the overriding deciding factors. Only 1lb higher than last year's 2nd, and if he gets a clear round, he has to go close again, and 15/2 looks fair for an each-way bet. Some dangers are lurking, including Cheltenham specialist Jagwar, who shoulders 16lb less than I AM Maximus, but does he have the stamina? Only time will tell.
Next Best - Haiti Couleurs - 12/1 E/W (5 places) @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
A fantastic alternative to I Am Maximus is Haiti Couleurs, at current odds of 12/1, who is trained by Rebecca Curtis. Unlike Jagwar, this horse is an out and out stayer. He could make history doing the treble, having already won the Irish and Welsh Grand Nationals. At 11-10, which is 2lb under I AM Maximus, there is the concern of weight, but the best and proven performers obviously all have this burden. Haiti Couleurs being pulled up at Cheltenham lto isn't too much of a concern, given it was too short a trip, and Rebecca Curtis' target would have always been the Grand National. If anything, Haiti Couleurs will be fresher for this race. Back each-way and take 12/1.
Outsider - Panic Attack - 18/1 E/W (5 places) @ Bet365 No Runner No Bet
We have given the best at the top of the market, but it's good to also have a more speculative bet on the Grand National.
While our favourites at the top of the market carry a lot of weight, one who gets in very lightly is Dan Skelton's (of course!) Panic Attack. Carrying just 10-5, which is 21lb less than I AM Maximus. Panic Attack won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, which gives some indication she has the stamina to cope with the Grand National. She didn't cope well with the shorter 2m4f at Cheltenham, suggesting this was an effective trial to prepare without increasing the handicap mark (similar to Haiti Couleurs). Winning the Coral Gold Cup and Paddy Power Gold Cup shows her class, and at 18/1 it's a decent each-way bet. Odds have decreased from 25/1, suggesting the market is eyeing this horse up also.
Where to Place Antepost Grand National Bets?
To place these bets, we recommend you use a "Non Runner No Bet" such as Bet365 where possible. They have "Non Runner No Bet on the Grand National. The other festival tips (foxhunters and topham) will have to be backed at standard antepost rules.
Odds subject to change and are correct at time of article (17:09 01/04/2026). Please check odds at your bookmaker for the latest prices. Note that full final declarations for the Grand National come closer to the day, so markets may shift.
