Grand National betting: Winners' weight trends

With Grand National betting on everyone's lips right now ahead of this weekend's race, Coral shares its winners' weight trends

Grand National betting

Coral’s Grand National Winner Weight Trends

Weights for the Grand National are always a hot topic. The annual Grand National Weights Lunch, where the allocated weights are revealed to entered horses’ connections, is a significant event in the National Hunt racing calendar and is often the subject of much discussion. 

It is believed by some commentators that, given the recent changes to the race (standing start, smaller fences and six fewer runners) which took place prior to the 2024 renewal, the race is now easier for the best horse running to win. Regarding the weights trends since then, this could be true.

In years before 2024, when the likelihood of all runners completing the Grand National was less, the winner tended to carry less than 11 stone. Just two winners between 2013 and 2023 carried over 11 stone; Many Clouds and Tiger Roll. Those lower in the handicap were clearly favoured. Aside from  a slightly rogue period of time where horses carrying 11 stone and over won the race four years on the bounce (between 2009 and 2012), it has always been the case that horses further towards the bottom of the handicap were usually the winners. 

Both winners since the 2024 changes have carried over 11 stone; I Am Maximus won for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend in that year carrying 11 stone and six pounds, while Nick Rockett won carrying 11 stone and eight pounds for the same trainer and son Patrick Mullins in 2025. 

For that reason, when considering selections for the 2026 Grand National, it could be right to favour those higher rated horses who are the highest class stayers in the field. 

They want to be reliable jumpers who can handle the conditions on raceday, and they should be proven stayers who have perhaps run well in a comparable race on the run up to the Grand National, such as the Edinburgh National, Ulster National or Midlands National. 

Horses that might fall into the category this year are I Am Maximus, Haiti Couleurs, Banbridge, Nick Rockett, Spillane’s Tower, Grangeclare West and Gerri Colombe. 

View the Grand National 2026 odds and specials.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.