Supercomputer predicts most likely winner of the 2026 Grand National
It's the 2026 Grand National main event today, and a supercomputer has predicted who will win plus some shock results.
The three-day racing event is well underway, with all eyes on the Grand National Handicap Chase set to take place later today, Saturday April 11, at 4pm.
Pundits and bookies have been predicting who will win, but a supercomputer has thrown out some shock results.
It's likely we'll be looking at a new champion this weekend, after defending champion Nick Rockett was forced to withdraw from the controversial race on Thursday.
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He was ruled out of the race with less than 48 hours to go following a self-certificate for coughing.
In the wake of his departure, many people have been favouring the 2024 race winner, I Am Maximus, to take the crown again.
According to The Mirror, the supercomputer disagrees though, with the calculations supplied by Boyle Sports tipping Panic Attack to win ridden by Harry Skelton.
They have been calculated as having a 15.1 per cent probability of taking first place, and the computer has even predicted he will win by two-and-a-half lengths.
If Panic Attack does take the top spot, she would be the first mare to win the Grand National in 75 years.
Her trainer, Dan Skelton, told the BBC that the 10-year-old has 'all the qualities' needed to win.
"I love that a mare hasn't won it for that long because it means there is going to be one soon enough - right?" Skelton told BBC Sport.
"I think, probably, there hasn't been a mare for so long because there hasn't been many take the challenge.
"All of our qualities are what you need to win the race - she has a great temperament, she jumps well, she'll handle the ground, she'll handle the occasion beforehand," he added.
Another Willie Mullins trained horse stands a good chance, with Grangeclare West, but the supercomputer has ranked it with an 11.8 per cent win chance.
The bookies favourite, I Am Maximus, is close behind with an 11.2 per cent chance of winning.
If the computer is right, this would be a shock finish after having finished as runner-up last year and winning in 2024.
For fourth place the calculations have predicted it will be Couleurs with a 9.4 per cent chance, with Oscars Brother and Jagwar in fifth and sixth with a 7.9 and 6.6 per cent chance of winning.
Rounding off the top ten is Iroko, Jonnywho, Stellar Story and Quai De Bourbon.
In order to calculate these predictions, the computer analysed past seasonal performances, a weight-to-probability ratio and both the jockey and trainer were considered in the simulation.
Topics: Sport, UK News, Technology
Jen Thomas