Oscars Brother on The Race Lab

Grand National 2026 Entries: Five Contenders the Data Says You Should Watch

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0000

The initial entry list for the 2026 Grand National dropped this week — 78 names jostling for 34 spots on April 11. Plenty of the usual suspects, a few outsiders with no chance, and a handful of genuinely fascinating stories buried in the form book.

Here are five entries the data says deserve your attention.

Panic Attack — The Mare Making History

Only 13 mares have ever won the Grand National. The last was Nickel Coin in 1951. Dan Skelton’s Panic Attack might be the best chance to end that 75-year drought.

Oscars Brother: The Two-Horse Yard Taking Aim at Cheltenham's Brown Advisory

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Connor King has 22 career runners in his database. Not 22 this season — 22 total. Five of them have won. That’s a 22.7% strike rate from a man who operates with just two horses in his yard.

On Sunday, his stable star Oscars Brother made it three wins from five chase starts when romping home by six lengths in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan, a race that has historically pointed runners towards the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Elliott's One-Two-Three Signals Cheltenham Intent as Staffordshire Knot Hits Form

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Gordon Elliott sent a message to the rest of the Irish training ranks on Sunday: he means business this spring.

The Cullentra House handler swept the first three places in the Grade 2 William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan, with Staffordshire Knot justifying 11/10 favouritism to lead home stablemates Better Days Ahead and Maxxum. The only other runner, Henry De Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake, finished tailed off in last.

It was a statement performance from the winner, who has rediscovered his form in handicaps this winter after a frustrating 2024/25 campaign over hurdles.