With April fast approaching and the ante-post market continuing to evolve, this is the ideal time to bet on Grand National contenders and assess the riders who could make history at Aintree. From established winners to jockeys still chasing their first taste of National glory, here is a look at how some of the sport’s biggest names have fared in the world’s greatest steeplechase.
Paul Townend
Starting with one of the most consistent jockeys in the race in recent years, Paul Townend won the Grand National for the first time with I Am Maximus in 2024 and was runner-up on the same horse 12 months later. He will likely partner the JP McManus-owned 10-year-old again this year in a bid to regain the crown, though doing so from top weight should not be underestimated.
Given that before 2024, Willie Mullins had not won the contest since 2005, the weight of landing the National when Townend took over from Ruby Walsh as Closutton’s number one rider would not have been lost on him. Like most of the big races on the calendar, though, Townend cracked it.
He was also third on Gaillard Du Mesnil in 2023, which means he has been in the first three over the line for each of the last three years running. That kind of consistency at Aintree is remarkable and sets him apart from every other rider in the race.
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy made history when he became the youngest winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard Minella Indo aged just 21 in 2021, but he is yet to add the Grand National to his CV. He is retained by Gordon Elliott, stepping into the boots of the legendary Davy Russell, who won the race twice with Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.
That iconic gelding became the first horse since Red Rum to win the race back-to-back, and with Elliott standing one win behind the all-time record of four victories for any trainer, the pressure to deliver at Aintree is significant. Kennedy has gone closest with Delta Work, who has finished second, third, and fifth in the National since 2022. This year, his best chance might be Gerri Colombe, who is currently a 33/1 shot.
Sean Bowen
Sean Bowen has established himself as Britain’s leading rider over the past couple of years and is currently gunning for his second successive Champion Jockey title. The Grand National is undoubtedly at the top of his wish list for the final weeks of the season. His best finish in the race came in 2023, when he was fourth on Noble Yeats, finishing just over eight lengths behind Corach Rambler.
That remains his only top-10 finish across nine rides. This year could offer his biggest chance yet, however. He is the likely partner of the very well-fancied Haiti Couleurs for Rebecca Curtis, a horse who already has the Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals to his name under Bowen and is currently a 16/1 fourth favourite for Aintree.
Harry Cobden
Harry Cobden’s relationship with the Grand National has been frustrating. The former British Champion Jockey has spent his entire career to date at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard, and with Nicholls not entering runners in the race for several years, Cobden was left picking up spare rides elsewhere.
He has never finished better than 14th and goes into this year off the back of falling on Kandoo Kid at the 21st fence in 2025. With Nicholls again without a runner, the dynamic looks different for Cobden this time around.
His growing relationship with Willie Mullins and his imminent role as JP McManus’s retained jockey means he will have access to far better horses than in previous years. He may partner Captain Cody, the horse he guided to Scottish Grand National glory for Mullins last year and who is currently a 25/1 shot for Aintree.
Harry Skelton
Another former British Champion Jockey still chasing a first Grand National victory, Harry Skelton and his trainer-brother Dan are arguably the strongest partnership in British racing right now. Dan did not have a runner in last year’s National, which proved a painful watch as Championship rival Mullins placed five of the first seven home.
This year, though, the Skeltons have a serious contender in Panic Attack, a 10-year-old mare who has been in outstanding form this season, winning both the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Gold Cup at Newbury.
Harry has ridden her with a confidence and quiet authority that has drawn widespread praise. She will need to defy significant historical trends as a mare, but if any horse can make the case for a first National success for the Skelton brothers, it is her.