I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett head Grand National confirmations

I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett head the five-day confirmations for Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree, according to BBC Sport.

The pair are the most recent winners from Willie Mullins’ yard and remain the headline names as the race moves through its new declaration timetable. Under the 2026 rules set out by The Jockey Club, the Randox Grand National is now a 72-hour declaration race, with final declarations due on Wednesday and reserves allowed until 1pm on Friday.

The updated schedule means the confirmations stage has taken on more importance as runners move closer to the final field. The Jockey Club’s February entries release had already identified I Am Maximus as a leading contender and Nick Rockett as one of the notable runners in the mix.

BBC Sport’s report comes less than a week before the April 11 race at Aintree, with the field still subject to the final declaration process.

For now, the early focus is on the two horses with the strongest recent Grand National form. I Am Maximus won the 2024 race, while Nick Rockett won the 2025 renewal.