JP McManus Horses for the 2026 Grand National
In my 2025 Grand National Thoughts article, I highlighted the merit of using the dosage index to give a steer on a horse’s stamina. Here are my thoughts on the chances of some of JP’s likely candidates for the 2026 renewal, with associated DI figures in brackets, as sent to JP soon after the 2025 renewal.
I Am Maximus (0.51)
Surely an unlucky loser in 2025, following his victory the previous year. The analytics folk claim he lost an incredible 26 lengths to Nick Rockett at the fences, but was beaten less than three lengths - despite having to make a sweeping move to close on the winner, which ultimately left him with nothing in the tank from the elbow. Had the race been run on softer ground, with less pressure on his jumping, I’m convinced he would have won. It’s worth mentioning that he went into the race on the back of an interrupted prep, having suffered a small setback that saw him miss the Bobbyjo Chase. He has been given another three pounds by the handicapper, which isn’t ideal, but he’s a big horse and I don’t think that alone will necessarily stop him next year. My worry is his age. He will be ten next year. Not a problem for old-style Grand Nationals, but if the race is going the way I think it is, then it’s a concern. Horses aged ten and over just aren’t winning modern-day Gold Cups and Grand Nationals. Can he buck that trend? He ticks every other box. I think it’s worth gearing his season around Aintree for the next couple of seasons. Keep the mileage low. He’s incredibly well-suited to the race. His jumping is likely to remain an issue, and the distance of the Grand National gives him a chance to make up for careful jumping with his abundant stamina – his trump card. With hardly any fallers these days, such a targeted approach is no longer the risk it once was. I can see him placing again next year as a minimum, and if the cards fall his way, including soft ground, he could easily retake centre stage.
Iroko (0.33)
I thought he ran a cracker to finish close with so little chasing experience. Next year, he will be in his prime as an 8-year-old, and I think the 2026 renewal is his to lose. Some doubted his stamina for this year’s race, but his DI figure was the lowest in the race, and identical to recent winners Minella Times and Pineau de Re. His performance showed he stayed the trip without any problem. It could be argued he needed further!
Softer ground would have helped him stay closer to the pace, but above all, he was a 7yo taking on more experienced horses. With that experience behind him, and another year’s racing ahead, I can see him winning the race next season, provided his handicap mark can be protected again. He was arguably fortunate to be left on the same mark after his gallant 4th in this year’s race. Look after him!
Meetingofthewaters (0.68)
He’s run well but failed to get home in the last two Grand Nationals. He will be nine by next season’s renewal, so he is perhaps worth another throw of the dice, but may be better off in a Scottish National? The two and a half furlongs shorter trip could be just what he needs. He is just a little shy in class and stamina, but he acts well in big fields. A trip up to Ayr next season could be interesting.
Perceval Legallois (1.44)
He fell before we got the chance to see how he fared over the National distance, but his DI figure suggests he might have struggled to see it out. I was initially keen on his chances at big prices due to his excellent form in big-field races and his finishing effort when last seen (over three miles), but when I saw his dosage figure, my interest cooled. He might be one of those horses that outrun his genes, but I wouldn’t want to bet on it, and I certainly wouldn’t want to gear an entire season around a return to Aintree. He looks an improver, and will likely be competitive in valuable three-mile staying chases. A good chunk of improvement would be needed to meet the class criterion of a modern-day Grand National winner. Could the race formerly known as the Hennessy at Newbury be an interesting early-season target?
Inothewayurthinkin’ (0.52)
Surely Gold Cup-bound and potentially a winner of the next two renewals. If ever you wanted to run him in a Grand National, he ticks every single box and would surely go very close despite a welter burden, but I’m assuming he’s taking the Gold Cup route, at least as far as 2026 is concerned.
Jagwar (0.50)
Interesting! He ticks the big field and stamina boxes, and his handicap mark (147) should just about sneak him in at the bottom of the weights. He’s all potential. And therein lies the problem. He’s not currently classy enough for a modern Grand National, and he will still only be a 7yo next year. Again, the stamina is more potential than substance – he’s yet to tackle three miles. To my eyes, he’s one to keep in mind for the 2027 renewal, but next year may be a year too soon.