10 horses pulled from Grand National 2026 as latest confirmed runners emerge

The Grand National’s latest scratchings stage is here and ten horses have been removed from contention for the Aintree spectacle

13:16, 24 Mar 2026Updated 14:14, 24 Mar 2026

The Grand National’s latest scratchings stage is here and ten horses have been removed from contention. There are now 34 filling out the field ahead of the showdown at Aintree.

National Hunt fans will soon descend upon the Liverpool course as the historic £1million National is less than a month away. The gruelling four-mile, two-and-a-half furlong contest sees the sport’s finest staying chasers navigate 30 fences.

The field size for the National has been 34 since 2024 when it was reduced from 40 and we now have an idea of the horses that could complete the lineup come April 11. A total of ten horses have been removed at the latest stage of scratchings.

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Ahead of Tuesday, three horses had been pulled. Dan Skelton’s Gold Cup competitor Grey Dawning was removed, as was Olly Murphy’s Bet365 Gold Cup winner Resplendent Grey. Mouse Morris also scratched Gentlemansgame.

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Now, seven more horses have been taken out. These include Gordon Elliott’s charges Western Fold, Croke Park, Better Days Ahead and Search For Glory. Ben Pauling has also removed Handstands and Pic Roc and Anthony Honeyball took out Leave of Absence.

This has left a final field of 34, headed by the Willie Mullins’ duo of 2024 winner I Am Maximus and Bobbyjo Chase winner Grangeclare West. The latter finished third last year.

It must be said that many within the current field of 34 could be taken out in the weeks to come, with some opting instead to compete in the Irish National on April 6. Oscars Brother currently heads that market.

One of the leading British hopes could be Welsh and Irish National winner Haiti Couleurs. Rebecca Curtis’s gelding competed in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time out, but his trainer says that he will be pitched at Aintree should all be well.

She said this month: “I’m excited to run him in the National now, hopefully, if everyone agrees. Where else do you go with him? That is his forte, National-type races, that’s where he’s done well.

“If he shows me that he’s fit and well in the next few weeks there’s no reason not to go. Plenty of horses run at Cheltenham and then Aintree.

“It’s not a lot different to what we did last year when he ran at Cheltenham and then in the Irish National, that was similar timing. The fences are not that big anymore are they so that’s the plan if he trains well the next few weeks, I don’t see why not.”