Supercomputer Predicts Non-Favourite To Be 2026 Grand National Winner

A supercomputer has predicted which horse will win the 2026 Grand National. And it’s not the favourite.

Every year, millions of punters across the UK and Ireland drop a few quid at the bookies in the hopes their horse makes it across the finishing line first (or in the top four if each way bets are your thing) and pockets them at least enough for a takeaway or a night out.

So when supercomputers are brought in to make technology powered predictions regarding the biggest horse racing event of the year, a lot of people pay attention.

Grand National winner won’t be the favourite, according to supercomputer

What will be of most interest to punters this year, is the supercomputer in question does not believe favourite I Am Maximus will stride victoriously through Aintree on Saturday.

Having analysed the traits of every Grand National winner between 1992 and 2025, the computer then compared each winner’s statistics to the 2026 field.

Each horse from the class of 2026 is then designated a score based on its similarities to winners from the past 33 years.

These numbers are then used in a race simulation which subsequently provides the probabilities of each potential winner.

And I Am Maximus, the 2024 winner, is nowhere to be found.

Instead, the supercomputer is predicting victory for Panic Attack, per Metro. Currently a 14/1 shot with the bookies, Panic Attack represents an exciting pick as it provides more value as a winner while also not being an unlikely longshot of a victor, either.

History could be made at this year’s race

According to the supercomputer, Panic Attack has a 15.1% chance at winning at Aintree. History is not on the Dan Skelton hopeful’s side, though. Only 13 mares have won the Grand National and none have done so since 1951.

Skelton’s brother Harry will ride Panic Attack, having recently won the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.

Next on the list, with an 11.8% chance of victory, is Grangeclare West. The Willie Mullins trained horse would be a fourth National winner for the legendary Irish trainer, drawing him level with Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as the most successful trainer in National history.

I Am Maximus, a stablemate of Grangeclare, rounds out the top three as the third favourite with the supercomputer, with a win probability of 11.2%.

Patrick Mullins is eyeing back-to-back National victories, having ridden Nick Rockett to glory at Aintree, last year. Rockett was withdrawn from this year’s race on Thursday morning after coming down with a cough.

Supercomputer’s predictions

1. Panic Attack — 15.1%
2. Grangeclare West — 11.8%
3. I Am Maximus — 11.2%
4. Haiti Couleurs — 9.4%
5. Oscars Brother — 7.9%
6. Jagwar — 6.6%
7. Iroko — 5.8%
8. Johnnywho — 4.4%
9. Stellar Story — 3.5%
10. Quai De Bourbon — 3.2%
11. Gerri Colombe — 2.8%
12. Spanish Harlem — 2.4%
13. Monty’s Star — 2.1%
14. Captain Cody — 1.9%
15. Jordans — 1.7%
16. Favori De Champdou — 1.4%
17. Final Orders — 1.2%
18. Twig — 1.1%
19. Perceval Legallois — 1%
20. Answer To Kayf — 0.8%
21. The Real Whacker — 0.7%

Via Boyle Sports

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images