Grand National betting: 2026 Aintree Maghull contenders and tip

Ahead of the Grand National today, Coral previews all of the races taking place on April 11, kicking off with the Maghull Novices’ Chase.

2026 Maghull Novices’ Chase contenders and tip

Eight runners line up for this two mile novices’ chase, headed by the top-rated pair of Savator Mundi and Mighty Bandit.

Representing Willie Mullins, Salvator Mundi is favourite to win this, having swerved Cheltenham after winning at Thurles. He is slightly down in trip from Thurles here, but won the Top Novices’ Hurdle here last year, so is proven over this distance at Aintree. 

Mighty Bandit seeks to make it a four-timer, having recently completed a hat-trick of handicap chases. His latest success was so impressive, beating the useful Queens Gamble by 17 lengths, that he seems up to this, though this is a very different level of race. The market could indicate in the run up to the race.

 Gordon Elliott has been having a good festival so far and Kala Conti, the mare, makes a lot of appeal. She beat Kargese in December, the mare who won the Arkle at Cheltenham, and if she can bring that level of ability here, she can win this. Kala Conti is certainly a better mare over fences than she was over hurdles, and she could be best over this sharper trip.

Be Aware and No Questions Asked are similar in terms of ability and both wear first-time equipment; a tongue strap for Be Aware and cheekpieces for No Questions Asked. The latter has beaten the former over this trip at Windsor and, provided he brings his best form, could do so again.

Coral’s big-race tip: Kala Conti at 3/1

View the Grand National 2026 odds and specials.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.