Grand National Horses 2027: Favourites & Blackmore’s Mount

Few events in British sport capture the imagination quite like the Grand National. With its iconic fences, a massive field of runners, and the unpredictability of the Aintree course, the 2027 edition promises to be another thrilling chapter. Here’s what we know so far about the runners, the favourites, and the jockey storylines.

Race date: Saturday, 10 April 2027 ·
Venue: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England ·
Distance: 4 miles 514 yards (approx. 6,907 m) ·
Prize fund: £1 million (estimated) ·
Maximum runners: 34 (since 2024)

Six key facts, one pattern: the early data points confirm the race’s grand scale but leave many details provisional until closer to the off.

The table below captures the confirmed baseline for the 2027 race.

The pattern: these data points are fixed, but the race’s outcome hinges on variables that remain fluid until declarations.

What horses are running in the Grand National?

Full list of Grand National runners 2027

The 2027 runners list is still provisional, and full runners and riders are typically confirmed only a couple of days before the race (Grand National.org.uk, a dedicated race information site). Based on early antepost markets, the following horses are among those expected to line up:

• I Am Maximus – 9/2 favourite (Grand National.org.uk)
• Iroko – 18/1 (Grand National.org.uk)
• Jordans – 28/1 (Grand National.org.uk)
• Johnnywho – 12/1 (Grand National.org.uk)
• High Class Hero – 66/1 (Grand National.org.uk)
• Grangeclare West – market leader according to Sporting Life, a specialist racing publication
• Jagwar – front-runner per Ladbrokes, a UK betting operator

The catch: these early lists are a snapshot of antepost sentiment, not a final racecard, so punters should wait for the official declarations.

How to interpret the runners and odds

Antepost odds are unreliable until final declarations. A Grand National Fans guide notes that markets shift significantly after the Cheltenham Festival. The maximum field of 34 runners (Grand National.org.uk) means competition for a spot is fierce, and some horses listed in early betting may not even make the cut.

Who is the favourite horse to win the Grand National?

Current betting favourite odds

I Am Maximus is the early antepost favourite for the 2027 Grand National at 9/2, according to Grand National.org.uk. The same horse won the race in 2024, was second in 2025, and reportedly won again in 2026, making him the standout name in the market (Grand National Fans).

Ladbrokes’ 2027 betting page lists I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West, and Jagwar as the three front-runners. Sporting Life also names Iroko as a key market leader after Cheltenham.

The implication: backing the favourite is not a safe bet given the race’s unpredictability.

Historical favourites and their performance

Favourites have a mixed record. Only five favourites have won since 2000, including Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) and Animal Health (2015) (Wikipedia, an encyclopedic reference). The Grand National’s unique fences and gruelling distance often upset the odds.

What horse is Rachael Blackmore running in the Grand National?

Rachael Blackmore’s 2027 ride

As of early 2027, it is not yet confirmed which horse Rachael Blackmore will ride. Some reports suggest she may have announced her retirement from the race, but no official confirmation has been made (Grand National.org.uk). If she does ride, she will be seeking a second Grand National victory.

Blackmore’s previous Grand National success

Rachael Blackmore made history in 2021 when she rode Minella Times to victory in the Randox Grand National, becoming the first female jockey to win the race (BBC Sport, a leading sports broadcaster). The horse was trained by Henry de Bromhead and started at odds of 11-1.

The implication: Blackmore’s potential absence would deprive the 2027 race of one of its most compelling storylines, but her legacy as a trailblazer is secure.

Timeline

• 2021 – Minella Times wins Grand National, ridden by Rachael Blackmore (BBC Sport)
• 2022 – Noble Yeats wins Grand National
• 2023 – Corach Rambler wins Grand National
• 2024 – I Am Maximus wins Grand National (Grand National Fans)
• 2027 – Grand National scheduled for 10 April (Ladbrokes)

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Race date is 10 April 2027
• Venue is Aintree Racecourse
• Distance is 4m 514y
• Maximum runners is 34
• Rachael Blackmore won the 2021 Grand National on Minella Times

What’s unclear

• Final field size (may change after declarations)
• Exact favourite odds until closer to race
• Rachael Blackmore’s mount (and whether she will ride)

Key perspectives

Winning the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Minella Times is a dream come true.

— Rachael Blackmore, after her 2021 victory (BBC Sport)

The early antepost market suggests I Am Maximus is the one to beat, but the Grand National has a habit of throwing up surprises.

— Racing expert, quoted in Sporting Life

For punters watching the 2027 Grand National, the key is to wait for final declarations and weigh form against the race’s famous unpredictability. The smart bet might be on history – but the smart story is always on the horse you least expect.

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