Expert Picks for Grand National Glory: Imperial Saint and Johnnywho Lead the Charge

The world's most prestigious steeplechase is back, and the Weekend Winners team is here to preview the 2026 Randox Grand National, each selecting their top three picks for the Aintree showpiece. A field of 34 runners is set to compete, with 2024 winner I Am Maximus leading the betting alongside Coral Gold Cup winner Panic Attack, Grangeclare West, and JP McManus' trio of Jagwar, Johnnywho, and Iroko. "I'm backing Imperial Saint to win, given his impressive course form on the Mildmay course and his suitability for a marathon trip. He's currently overpriced, making him an attractive bet. Johnnywho, the Ultima winner at the Cheltenham Festival, is another top pick, as winners of that race have a strong record in the Grand National. His first-time cheekpieces sharpened him up, and he ran a great race in the Grand Sefton over these fences, making him six pounds well-in from his Cheltenham win. For a potential frame finisher, I'll side with Iroko, who ran credibly last year and has performed well this year, winning at Ascot before a disappointing Ultima outing. However, the wind operation has helped him significantly, so I think he could be in the mix. I've identified eight trends that can help find the Grand National winner, and Johnnywho fits the profile perfectly, ticking plenty of boxes. My second pick is Final Orders, who may be two years too old but has the ideal rating, weight, and recent form, having won at Cheltenham in the Cross Country. He should be prominent without leading, and I like his chances. Spanish Harlem is my third pick, as he may not tick as many boxes but is a massive price and could outrun his odds. Although he pulled up last time, he has had four runs, races prominently, and could be underestimated from the Willie Mullins yard. My first selection is Monty's Star, who has been competing at the top level recently, with his last win in December 2023. He has a nice mark and fits the right profiles to win, so I expect him to shorten in the odds. Oscar's Brother could be a dark horse, with trainer Connor King having only two horses in training, including this JP McManus-owned runner. He's shown improvement in his starts, and his Cheltenham run was notable, so he could be more effective over a longer trip. My third pick is Captain Cody, who has been targeted for this race since his Scottish National victory and should relish the trip if he can establish a rhythm early on. Other notable runners include Favori De Champdou and Perceval Legallois. Catch the full Weekend Winners analysis on the At The Races YouTube channel for more insights and expert opinions.