We start the 2026 Aintree Trendspotting Series by looking at the key trainers and jockeys.
The following leaderboard breaks down the areas in which the leading handlers struck upon Merseyside at this fixture in recent years.
AINTREE FESTIVAL LEADERBOARD (last five renewals)
Trainer | W-R | £1 | Chase | Hurdle | Non-Hcp | Handicap |
W Mullins | 17-95 | +15 | 8-62 | 7-24 | 13-46 | 4-49 |
G Elliott | 11-90 | -10 | 3-48 | 8-37 | 10-43 | 1-47 |
P Nicholls | 11-87 | -26 | 7-48 | 3-30 | 8-53 | 3-34 |
N Henderson | 10-81 | -62 | 6-29 | 4-47 | 10-46 | 0-35 |
D Skelton | 8-94 | -26 | 2-42 | 6-44 | 2-51 | 6-43 |
Miss L Russell | 4-21 | +77 | 2-11 | 2-9 | 3-12 | 1-9 |
H De Bromhead | 4-49 | -11 | 2-38 | 2-9 | 2-19 | 2-30 |
S Edmunds | 3-7 | +34 | 1-1 | 2-6 | 0-3 | 3-4 |
F O’Brien | 3-33 | +30 | 0-4 | 1-15 | 2-26 | 1-7 |
J O’Brien | 3-15 | -7 | 3-7 | 0-7 | 3-13 | 0-2 |
WILLIE MULLINS
It wasn’t too long ago that Willie Mullins showed a loss at this fixture, but his domination of the Cheltenham Festival has now also spilled over to Aintree, especially in the last two years.
Mullins at the Grand National Festival
Year | W-R | Strike-rate | £1 | A/E |
2025 | 8-30 | 27% | +41 | 1.93 |
2024 | 5-27 | 19% | -6 | 1.14 |
2023 | 1-19 | 5% | -17 | 0.40 |
2022 | 2-12 | 17% | -4 | 1.34 |
2021 | 1-7 | 14% | +2 | 1.54 |
Admittedly, Mullins was chasing the British Trainer’s Championship last year, but the fact he also stepped things up in 2024 is a sign of his intent.
As for one key area to focus on, then it could pay to keep it simple in the Graded races:
Mullins at the Grand National Festival (last five years)
Race | W-R | Strike-rate | £1 | A/E |
Grade 1,2,3 | 16-62 | 45% | +45 | 1.71 |
Non-Graded | 1-32 | 3% | -28 | 0.28 |
Of the above 16 Graded winners, it’s worth noting that 15 ran in a race worth under £100k last time (16-52) - those that ran in a race worth more struck here at just 1-10.
And, if there was one race Mullins did well in, then the 4YO Juveniles Hurdle is one to look at, where his record is 3-6, winning it in 2025 and 2023.
GORDON ELLIOTT
Following a disappointing Cheltenham Festival in which Gordon Elliott managed only one winner, he will be keen for better results at Aintree.
And, there was definitely a trend to emerge with Elliott’s runners in the non-handicap hurdles.
Elliott at the Grand National Festival (last five years)
Race | W-R | Strike-rate | £1 | A/E |
Non-handicap hurdles | 7-25 | 25% | +25 | 1.58 |
Other races | 4-65 | 6% | -35 | 0.85 |
The Mersey Novices’ Hurdle has been particularly kind to Elliott of late, winning it in four of the last five years.
PAUL NICHOLLS
Another trainer looking for better results than at Cheltenham last month is Paul Nicholls, who left empty-handed.
Simplicity could be the approach with Nicholls, with his more fancied runners at 10-1 or shorter that never ran at Cheltenham last time doing best.
Nicholls at the Grand National Festival (last five years) -
10-1 or shorter that never ran at Cheltenham last time
Year | W-R | Strike-rate | £1 | A/E |
2025 | 2-4 | 50% | +5 | 2.60 |
2024 | 1-6 | 17% | +0 | 1.19 |
2023 | 1-5 | 20% | +0 | 1.45 |
2022 | 3-8 | 37% | +15 | 2.10 |
2021 | 3-10 | 30% | +4 | 1.41 |
NICKY HENDERSON
When it comes to Nicky Henderson’s record at this festival, then non-handicaps stood out.
Henderson at the Grand National Festival (last five years)
Race | W-R | Strike-rate | £1 | A/E |
Non-handicaps | 10-46 | 22% | -27 | 0.93 |
Handicaps | 0-35 | 0% | -35 | 0.00 |
One drawback with the above info is the profit column, suggesting Henderson’s non-handicap runners were overbet in the market.
However, of those 10 winners, each of them were very well fancied at 2/1 or shorter for a solid return of 10-13 (+6), including Jonbon last year.
DAN SKELTON
The Aintree winners were spread around via Dan Skelton’s runners, although his record in handicaps bears closer inspection.
Skelton at the Grand National Festival (last five years) -
6-8yo’s handicappers that ran in a handicap last time
Year | W-R | Strike-rate | £1 | A/E |
2025 | 1-3 | 33% | +23 | 2.56 |
2024 | 2-7 | 29% | +4 | 2.17 |
2023 | 2-4 | 50% | +10 | 3.08 |
2022 | 1-4 | 25% | +1 | 2.56 |
2021 | 0-3 | 0% | -3 | 0.00 |
With a clear profit in each of the last four years, it’s an approach that’s worth noting, especially as She’s A Saint won the 2m conditionals handicap hurdle at 25/1 last year.
Other trainers to note…
Miss Lucinda Russell hit the headlines here in 2023 when Corach Rambler won the Grand National. He also arrived having won last time out, which was a theme with three of Russell's four Aintree winners (3-9 +84).
Hiddenvalley Lake struck for Henry De Bromhead here 12 months ago, although he can be fairly hit-and-miss here. If there was an angle to look at, then his runners who arrived following a 31 to 90-day break did best at 4-25 (+12) - those that arrived after a shorter 16 to 30-day break drew a blank at 0-19.
Stuart Edmunds kept his runners here to a small number which returned an impressive record of 3-7 - all of which came in handicaps.
Finally, Joseph O'Brien's fancied runners delivered for punters. Indeed, those at 2/1 or shorter returned 3-5 (+3), the two that didn’t win still ran well, finishing 3rd of 13 and 2nd of 7.
Under the radar one?
JOCKEYS
Once all the hard work and preparation has been done, it all comes down to the jockey in the saddle. They need to be able to cope with the pressure in delivering on such a big stage, and the following names proved themselves.
GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL LEADERBOARD (last five renewals)
Jockey | W-R | £1 | A/E | Best Race Type/Top Trainer |
M Walsh | 10-30 | +33 | 1.63 | Non-handicap hurdle: 5-9 (+£27) |
H Cobden | 8-64 | -29 | 0.93 | Grade 1 chase: 3-8 (+£37) |
P Townend | 8-33 | 0 | 1.25 | Hurdles: 5-16 (+£2) |
N De Boinville | 7-46 | -33 | 0.75 | Grade 1 chase: 5-8 (+£62) |
H Skelton | 6-69 | -32 | 0.64 | Handicap hurdles: 3-10 (+£6) |
Mr P Mullins | 5-21 | +33 | 1.42 | Handicap Chase: 2-6 (+£36) |
J Kennedy | 5-21 | +16 | 1.71 | Hurdles: 3-10 (+£21) |
D Fox | 3-9 | +72 | 4.62 | Novices: 2-4 (+£68) |
There are several interesting trends from above. One being the occasions Mark Walsh rides for Gordon Elliott, which resulted in a very solid 3-4 record to a big profit.
As for the conditional jockeys that claim vital pounds off the saddle, then they enjoyed some big moments.
Conditional jockeys at the Grand National Festival (last five years)
Allowance | W-R | Strike-rate | £1 | A/E |
3lb | 3-63 | 5% | +10 | 0.83 |
5lb | 2-52 | 4% | -32 | 0.58 |
7lb | 1-37 | 3% | +4 | 0.40 |
Despite only hitting three winners, the 3lb conditional jockeys still returned a profit, with Aidan Kelly (3) partnering She’s A Saint to victory at 25/1 in 2025.
Applying a few filters to the conditionals also helps tidy the numbers up…
- Handicap hurdle
- 16/1 or bigger
- Not ridden by a 7lb conditional last time out
Total return: 5-50 (+58)