Three Grand National horses pull out as 2026 race contenders emerge | Racing | Sport

Three Grand National horses have pulled out of the race just weeks before the race at Aintree, as the field continues to be whittled down. A whopping £1million will be given to the winner next month, on what remains one of the biggest days of horse racing.

Dan Skelton is among those to have pulled a horse out, having removed Grey Dawning from the race. That’s despite the mare finishing fourth in the Gold Cup fewer than two weeks ago.

Another grey gelding, this time Olly Murphy’s Resplendent Grey, has been removed from the race. Resplendent Grey won the Bet365 Gold Cup last year at Sandown, but won’t get a chance to add another prestigious title to its name.

Meanwhile, Irish trainer Mouse Morris has also decided his horse Gentlemansgame won’t race at Aintree. Much like the other two, Gentlemansgame is also a grey horse, which could have an impact on the market, given they are often popular with punters.

I Am Maximus won the race in 2024, but was unable to make it a famous double last year, having finished second. He carries top weight this year, but is still fancied to be at the front end of the race once again.

One horse that could spring a surprise is Banbridge – a former King George winner. Trainer Joseph O’Brien is expecting Banbridge to line up, with the horse’s last run having returned a fourth-place finish in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.

O’Brien said: “He came out of Cheltenham good. I’d say he could go to Aintree for the National. I think he might. We’ll keep his options open and a decision will be made late.

“We’ll discuss it with (owner) Ronnie (Bartlett) and see what he’d like to do. We’re leaning towards that at the moment. He loves the track and if it was three miles I’d fancy him!”