Grand National Tips: 3 Cheltenham Performers You Can’t Ignore At…

Published on March 26th, 2026

Following another thrilling Cheltenham Festival, we’ve picked out a trio of 2026 Grand National tips featuring horses who caught the eye at Prestbury Park.

All three have subsequently had their Aintree odds shortened but could still be worth supporting for the Liverpool spectacular on April 11.

Grand National Tips

Jagwar @ 12/1

While stablemate Iroko struggled to make an impression in 10th, Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero must have been delighted with the way this seven-year-old stormed home to finish second in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Jagwar was given a patient ride by Mark Walsh early on as he made a step up in distance and taken wide on the bends at times, but he saw out the 3m 1f trip in fine fashion, getting to within half a length of Johnnywho at the line.

Whether he will cope with moving up again to the marathon stretch of more than 4m 2f at Aintree is another matter, but owner JP McManus loves a Grand National gamble and all the signs are that Jagwar has the engine required.

Panic Attack @ 16/1

Despite tasting defeat for the first time this season when third behind Dinoblue in the Mares’ Chase after three convincing victories over the winter, connections remained bullish about the 10-year-old’s Liverpool prospects.

Dan Skelton couldn’t hide his enthusiasm as he said: “She ran beautifully and jumped immaculately – she’s a phenomenal jumper and we’re very proud of her.

“I thought she ran a beautiful Grand National trial over two and a half miles. She couldn’t quite win on decent ground, but sometimes that’s how the cookie crumbles.

“You’d love to see her jumping round Aintree, wouldn’t you? The dream is alive.”

Favori De Champdou @ 22/1

Gordon Elliott’s veteran put up a valiant performance when second in the Cross Country Chase but couldn’t quite give away a stone to smooth scorer Final Orders.

Nevertheless, he was plugging on gamely all the way up the hill and that pair pulled 18 lengths clear of third-placed Vanillier, a former Grand National runner-up himself.

Favori De Champdou is on a career-high mark after previously cleaning up at Leopardstown over Christmas and Cheltenham in January, but Elliott expects him to enjoy Aintree.

And we all know how the Cullentra House handler’s past Cross Country star Tiger Roll fared when sent to Liverpool in search of National glory!