The wait is finally over. Today, the eyes of the racing world turn to Aintree for the 2026 Grand National.

This edition looks set to be unforgettable, featuring a line-up of 34 runners preparing to tackle 30 formidable fences in a true examination of endurance and courage.

After an exciting 2025 contest in which I Am Maximus just failed to secure consecutive wins, finishing a brave second to Nick Rockett – who will not compete this year after withdrawing due to coughing – today’s narrative centres on redemption.

Will the previous champion take back his title, or could a fresh name rise from the Merseyside mist? To guide you toward picking the winner of the world’s most renowned steeplechase, ITV Racing’s chief commentator and analyst, Richard Hoiles, has crunched the form and assessed conditions to deliver his final 1-2-3-4-5 prediction – featuring a huge outsider that may appeal to each-way bettors.

Hoiles suggests the green and gold colours of a famous owner might hold the answer to this year’s contest. The legendary JP McManus brings a powerful team to the Aintree spectacle and the ITV expert is watching his top selections closely.

“JP McManus has a really strong hand headed by I Am Maximus who proven record round here makes him preferred to Percival Legallois who looks overpriced,” he said. “Imperial Saint is another outsider who can run well whilst Monty’s Star and Johnnywho can make the frame.”

Richard Hoiles’ Grand National 1-2-3-4-5:

1. I AM MAXIMUS (15/2)
2. PERCIVAL LEGALLOIS (25/1)
3. MONTY’S STAR (11/1)
4. JOHNNYWHO (10/1)
5. IMPERIAL SAINT (50/1)

Explaining his selection for first place, Hoiles said of I Am Maximus: “Winner in 2024 and runner up last year. Campaigned in Grade 1 races since then and has lots of class. Choice of Paul Townend and will make a bold bid to regain his crown.”

On the chances of Percival Legallois, he noted: “Was sent off as short as 10-1 for the race last season when falling at Valentines first time. Made late ground at Tramore on New Years Day and very much appeals as a lively outsider with Harry Cobden booked.”

Regarding Monty’s Star, the expert added: “Ran well for a long way in the Irish Gold Cup. Would be suited by any further rain but looks well handicapped and one of the leading contenders.”

Discussing Johnnywho, he sad: “Runs off the same mark as when beating Jagwar (Iroko behind) in the Ultima at the Festival. Appears much more versatile ground wise these days and after a quiet season the yard are finishing it well. Definitely one to consider.”

Finally, pointing to a massive outsider in Imperial Saint, he wrote: “Promoted reserve who has run well several times here on the Mildmay course. Got badly hampered at Cheltenham before making good late headway. Runs in the family colours of former Champion Jockey Richard Johnson who never won the race. Can outrun his odds.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Odds correct at time of writing.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East between the US, Israel, and Iran has resulted in a recent spike in fuel prices.

Several major airlines have already responded to this spike by increasing fares, adding or increasing fuel surcharges, and cutting flights.

UK airline Skybus announced last week it had ceased all flights between Cornwall and London due to “the huge rise in the global cost of fuel” and “a significant drop in new passenger bookings”.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary also warned Brits to book their summer holidays “as quickly as you can” to avoid rising costs, due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

More major airlines cut flights and increase prices amid rising fuel costs

Three more major airlines have now cut flights and increased prices due to the rising cost of fuel caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East:

Air India

Air India this week announced it was increasing its fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights.

These revised fees came into effect for UK flights on Friday (April 10), although the airline assured passengers who have already booked tickets will be unaffected by the change.

Air India said: “For the avoidance of doubt, tickets that have already been issued prior to the above times will not attract the new surcharge unless customers seek date or itinerary changes that require a recalculation of the fare.

“Air India will review its surcharges periodically and make appropriate adjustments as the situation requires.”

Air India announced this week it was increasing its fuel surcharge. (Image: Getty Images)

Air India usually operates more than 60 weekly flights between India and the UK, connecting cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar to London (Heathrow and Gatwick) and Birmingham.

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has been forced to cancel more flights due to the conflict in the Middle East, with routes in and out of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch impacted, according to the BBC .

Airlines cut flights and hike fares as fuel prices surge https://t.co/p1uad5gOHk

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 7, 2026

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These flight cancellations follow several others made by the airline last month.

However, Air New Zealand said earlier this week that the “vast majority” of its customers affected by the cancellations were being offered alternative flights on the same day.

An airline spokesperson, via the BBC, said: “Like airlines globally, we’re experiencing jet fuel prices that are more than double what they would usually be.”

Air New Zealand serves the UK through a combination of codeshare partner flights and booking options from Heathrow and Manchester.

It works with partner airlines, including Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and United Airlines, to connect passengers via major hubs.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines also announced this week that it was cutting back the number of seats on its flights due to the rising fuel costs, The Independent reported.

The Airline, which operates numerous daily nonstop flights from London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), and Edinburgh (EDI) to various US destinations, has already increased the price of its checked bag fee by US$10 (£7.45).

Now, reduced seat numbers on Delta flights could result in airfare prices rising.

The 3 airlines that have entered liquidation or administration in 2026 (so far)

Several airlines entered liquidation in 2025, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority , including:

• Blue Islands Limited (UK) – November
• Air Kilroe Limited t/a Eastern Airways (UK) – November
• Play Airlines (Iceland) – September

Three airlines have entered administration or liquidation in 2026 (so far), resulting in the cancellation of more than 4,000 flights:

Meanwhile, fellow chartered carrier Legend Airlines (Romania) has reportedly shut down.

The Street reported the airline has “officially gone dormant” after retiring two of its A340 planes.

UK travel companies that have closed in 2026 (so far)

Four UK travel companies have also ceased trading in 2026, resulting in the cancellation of flights and holiday packages to destinations around the world.

The four UK travel companies that have closed down in 2026 (so far) are:

• Regen Central Ltd
• Gold Crest Holidays
• Asiara UK Ltd
• Simply Florida Travel Ltd

All four have ceased trading, according to Companies House, and have lost their Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL).

Have you been impacted by the recent flight cancellations or airfare price hikes caused by increased fuel prices? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

There’s no shortage of well-known walks in this part of Lancashire.

On a clear weekend, Rivington Pike draws steady streams of walkers climbing for the view, while nearby beauty spots fill quickly with cars and day-trippers.

But just a short drive away, on the edge of Bolton, there’s a route that offers much of the same landscape, and far more peace.

Wayoh Reservoir, tucked beneath the West Pennine Moors near Turton, is easy to overlook.

(Image: Joseph Charnock)

Built in the 1870s to supply water to Bolton’s mills, it has long since settled into a quieter role.

Today, it’s a place of still water, soft woodland and big skies — the kind of setting that doesn’t shout for attention, but rewards those who find it.

(Image: Joseph Charnock)

The walk itself is simple and satisfying: a circular route of around three miles that hugs the reservoir for much of its length.

The path is largely flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for casual walkers, families and anyone looking for an easy escape into nature.

From the car park, the route quickly draws you alongside the water.

(Image: Joseph Charnock)

On calm days, the reservoir reflects the surrounding trees and hills with near-perfect clarity; in cooler months, a light mist can drift across the surface, giving the whole place a quiet, almost cinematic feel.

The path moves between open stretches and pockets of woodland, with glimpses of the moors rising beyond.

(Image: Joseph Charnock)

While other local routes can feel busy and well-trodden, here there’s space to walk at your own pace, without the constant flow of people passing by.

A short distance from the reservoir lies Entwistle, a village so small you could easily miss, but it has one thing that walkers have been seeking out for generations.

At its heart is the Strawberry Duck, a traditional pub that has become a destination in its own right.

(Image: Google Maps)

For many, it’s as much a part of the walk as the reservoir itself.

After a loop of fresh air and steady miles, the appeal is obvious: a pint, something to eat, and a place to sit and take in the surroundings.

On weekends especially, you’ll find walkers arriving in ones and twos, boots muddied, ready to round off the route in proper Lancashire fashion.

After JD Vance claimed UK electricity prices are “four, five, six times” higher than in the United States, The Independent examined the accuracy of the US vice president’s statement more closely.

Latest figures show the average monthly electricity cost in the US is about $150, roughly £110, while in the UK a typical monthly energy bill is around £79, roughly $106.

Vance also argued that Europe is “completely dependent on unreliable energy sources.”

In reality, more than half of the UK’s energy is produced domestically, reducing reliance on imports and exposure to global disruptions.

Watch our full report in the video above.

Holly Dyson turned her life around after a stark warning from doctors

A woman who was told she had six months left to live after drinking two litres of gin a day has turned her life around and is now running a half marathon.

Holly Dyson battled alcohol dependency for six years throughout her 20s. The 28-year-old, from Southport, felt unable to leave the house without taking a bottle of wine.

She had to go to hospital several times and was told she had ‘severe’ liver disease. Holly said at one point, she ‘accepted the fact she was going to die’.

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But now, as she approaches three years alcohol-free, Holly helps others with addiction for her job. She is set to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday for the charity Alcohol Change UK after turning her life around.

Just hours before speaking to the PA news agency, Holly was leading a walking group as part of her career as a support worker for Change Grow Live, where she uses her experience to help others. Yet previously, after having a traumatic time at university, Holly did not drink any other liquid apart from alcohol for three years and was no stranger to starting her day with a pint of cider.

Holly said: “I truly, wholeheartedly was going to die. I was told I was going to die. I believed it and I had no hope.

“But here I am, nearly three years later, working in addiction and running a half marathon. These are all things that I could only dream of and now I’m actually doing it.”

Holly’s dependency on alcohol escalated rapidly in her mid-20s and she turned from drinking prosecco with her family in the evenings to experiencing physical withdrawals if she went without a drink. “If I was going out, I’d have to take a bottle of wine and I would put it into three smaller bottles so I could hide them in a bag and I was just living in fear every single day,” she said.

“I went to hospital numerous times, I had severe liver disease and then, in 2023, I went in again and I was really unwell this time. I’d been vomiting blood and all sorts, and they said to me there, you are going to die in six months if you carry on like this.

“But even that didn’t stop me. It upset me but I didn’t care. I’d kind of accepted the fact I was going to die because I can’t stop this.”

Holly said negative stereotypes surrounding alcohol addiction prompted her to speak out. “I’m not your stereotypical alcoholic,” she said.

“I was a young girl when I got trapped in that cycle and I think stereotypes can be a barrier to people seeking and getting help. Equally, I don’t think alcohol addiction is spoken about enough. I think there’s so much stigma and stereotypes attached to it and the stigma’s awful.”

Holly lost her fitness while dependent on alcohol as she would spend large amounts of time lying in bed and drinking and Sunday’s half marathon is a testament to her recovery. “When I was drinking, I did nothing.

“All I’d do is lie in bed and drink. So, when I got sober, getting my fitness back was really important and I’ve always, always loved running,” she said.

Holly said the half marathon was more than a physical challenge and is a way to give back, raise awareness, and show that recovery is possible. To sponsor Holly and the Alcohol Change team, visit: justgiving.com/campaign/alcoholchangeuklandmarkshalf2026.

To lengthen the leg, it’s also a good idea to pair your Capris with some kind of heel or sandal — think flip-flops (which also had a moment last year) or even a heeled shoe. Small London brand Realm does a number of lovely, Nineties-inspired minimalist heeled sandals, as does everybody’s cool-girl staple, Vagabond. Or, if you want to hide your toes, then a nice ballet flat is always a good option. For extra statement points, consider investing in a pair of the Speedcat Sneakerinas, which will round off the entire look nicely.

Great Britain, the 2025 semi-finalists, had been the underdogs heading into the tie, as they were without four players ranked inside the singles top 100 – Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Fran Jones, and Sonay Kartal.

But they overcame the disparity in ranking and experience to reach the finals for the third year in a row.

After being broken in their opening service game and slipping to a 3-1 deficit, Dart and Burrage roared back with a run of five games to take the first set.

All four players struggled with their serves in a topsy-turvy second set, with four consecutive breaks en route to 3-3. Great Britain then made the decisive break in the ninth game before Burrage held her nerve to secure the win.

“They’re two great players. They play a lot of doubles and it was our first time playing together,” said Dart.

“It’s crazy actually because we played pretty well and to be able to make the finals is just kind of surreal.”

Great Britain are the second team to qualify for September’s eight-team finals in Shenzhen, joining hosts China, and have reached the last four at the past two tournaments. Losers Australia will compete in November’s play-offs.

‘Inspiring the Future’ is a six-month pilot scheme run by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Education and Employers, an education charity that connects young people with volunteers from the world of work to broaden horizons and inspire future career choices.

The programme will be interactive, practical and engaging, with a strong focus on reaching young people in disadvantaged areas.

It’s an exciting opportunity to highlight the importance of local media, showcase different career paths, and inspire the next generation to explore opportunities in the media sector within their own communities.

The project will bring media professionals into primary and secondary schools as well as colleges, giving pupils the chance to hear first-hand about the wide range of roles available across the industry – and it’s got the full backing of The Bolton News and Newsquest Media Group.

Richard Duggan, Editor of The Bolton News, is backing the programme (Image: Agency)

Richard Duggan, Regional Editor North West and Editor of The Bolton News, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for those of us who work in local media to encourage young people to pursue a career in media.

“In an age of misinformation, we are more important than ever before, and we must do our bit to make sure we engage and inspire youngsters to get involved in a rewarding and vital industry.

“I’m looking forward to volunteering my time to talk to schools about how I got into journalism, why I love it and why children should think about making it their career too.

“I encourage all my colleagues in the industry, from reporting to commercial and everything in between, to get involved.”

If you work in local media in any capacity and want to inspire the next generation, this is an opportunity not to miss.

Guest speakers will inspire students from primary to college (Image: DCMS)

While the project, which is also supported by the National Media Association, is based in the North West, you don’t need to be based here to take part.

By getting involved, you’ll help young people discover different roles, understand the routes into them, and see that people from all backgrounds shape our media. 

You can volunteer as little as one hour and will be connected to schools and supported by colleagues from Inspiring the Future.

And education establishments, from primary to college, are also encouraged to sign up to take part.

For more information about the campaign or to sign up as a volunteer or school, visit www.inspiringthefuture.org/campaigns/inspiring-the-future-of-local-media.

The event takes place across three days at Aintree Racecourse, with Opening Day and Ladies Day taking place so far.

But the main event, the Grand National, will take place on Saturday, April 11.

The race will see 34 horses and jockeys jump 30 fences across the four-mile route with a £1 million prize up for grabs.

Zeus Power! ⚡️

A strong winner of the @oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle 👏 pic.twitter.com/n1njkNYjxR

— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 10, 2026

So, you do not miss seeing “the world’s greatest steeplechase”, here is all you need to know about the 2026 Grand National, including the start time, runners and where to watch.

How to watch the 2026 Grand National

Coverage for the Grand National will kick off on ITV1 and ITVX from 3.15pm.

The race will start at 4pm on Saturday, April 11.

Saturday’s final race will also be shown online at Racing.tv .

The first (12.45pm) and final (5pm) races on Saturday will not be available to watch on ITV.

Grand National 2026 runners

The horses taking part in the race are:

• I Am Maximus
• Panic Attack
• Jagwar
• Grangeclare West
• Johnnywho
• Monty’s Star
• Iroko
• Oscar’s Brother
• Captain Cody
• Haiti Couleurs
• Gorgeous Tom
• Gerri Colombe
• Final Orders
• Quai De Bourbon
• Stellar Story

Who has the rights to the Grand National?

ITV currently has the rights to broadcast The Grand National in the UK, which it has had since 2017.

The race was first broadcast on the BBC back in 1960, and it stayed that way until 2013 when Channel 4 got the rights, which lasted until 2016.

Along with the Epsom Derby, the Grand National is one of two horse races that must be broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK.

Will you be watching the Grand National? Let us know in the comments below.