Grand National 2027 Runners and Odds: Entries, Contenders and Market Guide
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The weights they carry are explained in handicapping.
Grand National 2027 Confirmed Entries and Weights
The entry process follows the same staged structure as in previous years. Initial entries (typically around 100) are submitted in January, with successive forfeit stages in February and March narrowing the field. Final declarations are made five days before the race, with a maximum of 34 runners and a small reserve list for late withdrawals.
The 34‑Runner Limit
Since 2026, the Grand National has been capped at 34 starters. The Jockey Club and BHA introduced this as part of broader safety reforms, including repositioning key fences to reduce approach speed and congestion. The smaller field has improved completion rates and changed market dynamics: fewer runners mean a more concentrated betting pool and adjusted each‑way terms.
For bettors, this means the race is slightly more predictable in structural terms—but the Grand National remains one of the most open handicaps in the calendar.
How Weights Are Allocated
The BHA handicapper assigns weights based on each horse’s official rating. In 2027, the topweight is expected to carry up to 11 stone 12 pounds, while the bottom weight could be as low as 10 stone 2 pounds. Weights are published with the initial entries in January and effectively finalised at the final forfeit stage. Strong performances in major trials can lead to rating increases, potentially pushing a horse out of contention if it becomes too heavy.
A full weights table will be published closer to the final declarations. For now, watch horses in the “sweet spot” of 10 stone 5 pounds to 11 stone 4 pounds, as well as trainers entering multiple runners at different weight levels—a strategy that has proven effective in recent renewals.
Key Dates for 2027
- January: Initial entries and provisional weights published.
- February–March: Forfeit stages progressively reduce the field.
- Five days before the race: Final declarations; reserve list confirmed.
- Race day: First Saturday in April (exact date to be confirmed by the Jockey Club).
Mark the declaration day in your calendar: that’s when the field is locked and serious market analysis begins.
The Ante‑Post Market: How Grand National Odds Are Shaping Up
The ante‑post market opens months before the race and evolves as trial results come in, entries are confirmed, and money flows into the market. While early prices are speculative, the market’s shape reflects collective sentiment about likely contenders.
The Scale of the Market
The Grand National continues to dwarf other horse races in betting volume. Entain’s global sportsbook data shows that the 2027 Grand National is already generating 650–700% more bets than the Cheltenham Gold Cup, highlighting its unique appeal to both regular and casual punters. This depth creates a liquid market where price movements carry meaningful signals.
“The Grand National’s ability to attract a massive audience and a wide range of bettors remains unmatched,” said Greg Ferris, Managing Director of Sports at Entain. “That volume translates into a market where consensus is more clearly reflected, even if the outcome itself remains highly uncertain.”
What the Early Market Looks Like
In autumn and winter, the market is broad and tentative, with most runners trading at 20/1 or longer. Only the most obvious contenders sit below that level. As the season progresses and horses run in key trials—the Becher Chase at Aintree, the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, the Midlands National at Uttoxeter, and cross‑country races at Cheltenham—the market sharpens.
By March, a clearer picture emerges:
- A small group of 4–6 market leaders, trading between 8/1 and 16/1.
- A broader middle band of runners between 16/1 and 33/1.
- A long tail of outsiders at 40/1 and beyond.
The challenge is deciding whether the market’s assessment is accurate or whether it has under‑ or over‑estimated specific horses.
When the Market Moves Sharpest
Three moments typically drive the biggest price movements:
- After major trial results. A win in the Welsh National or Becher Chase can halve a horse’s Grand National odds overnight.
- At the final forfeit stage. As the field narrows, the market reassesses probabilities.
- On race morning. Confirmation of the going and late money can shift prices significantly.
For ante‑post punters, the post‑trial window is often the best opportunity to catch value before the wider market adjusts.
Top Contenders: Profiles of the Market Leaders
The horses at the top of the ante‑post market combine form, fitness, and the right profile for Aintree’s unique demands. The following profiles reflect the runners attracting the most market interest at the time of writing and will be updated as trial form becomes available.
The Reigning Champion Question
After Nick Rockett’s dramatic 2026 victory, the question of whether he returns to defend his title was the biggest variable in the 2027 market. Ultimately, connections opted not to run him in 2027 due to a minor injury sustained in winter training, leaving the market open for new contenders. His absence has shifted attention to other established Aintree performers and a group of highly‑regarded trial winners.
The Mullins Battalion
Willie Mullins’ dominance in 2026 (five of the first seven finishers) means his entire string of entries continues to command market attention. In 2027, he has entered a broad squad again, with several horses showing strong form in winter trials. Any horse carrying the Mullins name tends to attract premium pricing, so identifying which entry is the stable’s primary hope is key. Watching where the Mullins money goes in the early ante‑post market remains one of the most reliable guides.
Established Aintree Performers
Horses with prior experience over the Grand National fences—whether in the National itself, the Topham Trophy, or the Becher Chase—carry an inherent advantage that the market sometimes underprices. In 2027, several runners from the 2026 frame are back, having completed the course comfortably and returning with similar or improved handicap marks. These are the safest profiles in an inherently unpredictable race.
Fresh Faces From the Trials
Every Grand National features a handful of horses stepping up to the race for the first time, having qualified through strong performances in the season’s major trials. These are harder to assess due to the lack of Aintree course form, but the most promising ones share key traits:
- Wins or places over three miles or more at a competitive level.
- Clean jumping in testing conditions.
- Training from yards with a proven record of preparing Grand National runners.
Trial results between December and March will identify these horses; until then, their ante‑post prices are speculative but can represent value if you can spot the right candidates early.
The full picture is in our Grand National betting guide.
Dark Horses: Outsiders Worth a Second Look
The Grand National loves an outsider. Longshot winners are part of the race’s history, and recent renewals have reinforced that pattern. Identifying dark horses early is part art, part science, and part guesswork—but certain patterns tend to repeat.
The Profile of a Grand National Dark Horse
Runners that spring surprises at Aintree often share these characteristics:
- Lightly raced over fences, leading to a potentially lenient handicap mark.
- Strong stamina pedigree (sire or dam‑sire associated with staying power).
- Off the radar for a period (returning from injury, changing trainer, etc.).
- Trained by a yard with specific experience preparing for the National.
Where to Look
The lower reaches of the handicap (10 stone to 10 stone 7 pounds) are the most fertile ground for dark horses. These runners carry less weight, which can be decisive over the final mile. Cross‑reference this group with Aintree form (even in smaller races over the National fences) and proven stamina over three miles or more to narrow the list.
Horses that contested the Becher Chase or the Grand Sefton Chase are particularly worth watching. These races use the Grand National fences and provide direct form references. A horse that completed either race comfortably and is entered in the Grand National at a big price is worth considering, especially each‑way.
The Risk Factor
Dark horses are priced long for a reason: the market sees clear reasons for doubt, such as unproven stamina or sketchy jumping. Backing them is inherently riskier than backing market leaders. The skill lies in finding the one or two whose long odds underestimate a genuine chance—and the Grand National is one of the few races where that skill is regularly rewarded.
Irish Raiders: Cross‑Channel Challengers to Watch
Irish‑trained horses have remained the dominant force in the Grand National, and 2027 looks set to continue that trend. Several factors explain their consistent success:
- Depth of National Hunt racing in Ireland. Horses gain more competitive experience over fences earlier in their careers.
- Economies of scale in major yards. Large strings allow trainers to be selective about which runners target which races.
- Conditioning advantage. Frequent soft‑ground racing in Ireland mirrors the conditions often seen at Aintree in April.
The Mullins Factor
Willie Mullins remains the centrepiece of the Irish challenge. His record at the Grand National has improved steadily, and in 2027 he has entered a diverse squad with several strong trial performers. He typically narrows the field based on trial form, handicap marks, and the going forecast. Watching his withdrawals is as informative as watching his entries—the horses he keeps in at each forfeit stage are the ones he believes have the best chance.
Beyond Mullins
Gordon Elliott continues to be a consistent operator, entering multiple runners and regularly placing horses in the frame. Henry de Bromhead and smaller Irish yards also offer occasional surprises, particularly with horses targeted at the National from a low handicap mark.
For punters, the practical implication is clear: any analysis of the 2027 Grand National that doesn’t give significant weight to Irish‑trained runners is incomplete. Monitor the ante‑post market for Irish entries, follow trial form from Leopardstown, Punchestown, and the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, and pay close attention to Cheltenham Festival results—they often serve as the final audition for Aintree‑bound horses.
Late Changes, Withdrawals and Non‑Runner No Bet
The Grand National field remains fluid until the flag drops. Understanding how withdrawals work—and how to protect yourself against them—is essential.
The Timeline of Declarations
- Five days before the race: Final declarations confirm the 34‑runner field and the reserve list.
- Race morning: Final inspection confirms the going; veterinary assessments may lead to withdrawals.
Late withdrawals trigger Rule 4 deductions for existing bets. In 2027, early indications suggest that at least one high‑profile entry may be withdrawn on veterinary grounds ahead of race day, illustrating why monitoring late changes matters.
Rule 4 Deductions
When a horse is withdrawn after the final overnight declarations, bookmakers apply Rule 4 (Tattersalls Rule 4c) deductions. The deduction is a percentage taken from potential winnings, based on the withdrawn horse’s odds at the time of withdrawal. The shorter the price, the larger the deduction. For the Grand National, where favourites rarely trade shorter than 6/1, deductions are usually modest but can still affect returns if multiple horses are withdrawn.
Always check for late changes before the off, even if you placed your bet weeks earlier.
Non‑Runner No Bet Protection
Non‑Runner No Bet (NRNB) is the simplest way to protect yourself against withdrawals. Under NRNB terms, if your selected horse doesn’t run, your stake is refunded in full. This removes the biggest risk of ante‑post betting and is especially valuable for selections backed weeks or months before the race.
Not all bookmakers offer NRNB, and terms may vary by bet type or timing. Some offer NRNB on all Grand National ante‑post bets; others restrict it to bets placed after final declarations. Check the terms on the market page before placing your bet.
How Reserves Work
If a horse is withdrawn after final declarations but before the race, the next horse on the reserve list takes its place—provided the reserve’s trainer confirms the entry. Reserves are ranked by BHA rating and published alongside the final declarations. If a reserve enters the race, it runs at the odds available at the time; there’s no special pricing for reserves. A reserve entering the field can subtly change the race dynamics, especially if the reserve is a well‑fancied runner that narrowly missed the initial cut.
Bottom Line
The Grand National field is fluid until the flag drops. Build that fluidity into your betting plan: check for late changes, understand Rule 4 deductions, and use NRNB where available. The punter who watches the market right up to the off has a meaningful edge over the one who placed a bet in February and forgot about it.
