A supercomputer has tipped Panic Attack to take glory at the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday. The withdrawal of defending champion Nick Rockett on Thursday has potentially blown the race wide open, paving the way for a new winner to be crowned this weekend.
The 2024 victor, I Am Maximus, will be bidding to prevent that from happening. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding is emerging as the market favourite following the decision to scratch Nick Rockett from the contest. Grangeclare West is another horse carrying the Mullins colours with a genuine chance of success, but it is a historic victory for British trainer Dan Skelton, aboard Panic Attack, that the number-crunchers are predicting.
That is according to calculations by a supercomputer, provided by Boyle Sports, with the 10-year-old - set to be ridden by Harry Skelton - given a 15.1% win probability, and forecast to clinch victory by two-and-a-half lengths.
Grangeclare West has been tipped to finish second with an 11.8% chance of winning, while I Am Maximus - the other Mullins-trained favourite - holds an 11.2% chance of victory. However, he is projected to endure his worst finish in three years, having been runner-up last year and winning the race in 2024, by coming in third.
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The supercomputer also forecasts Haiti Couleurs to finish fourth with a 9.4% chance of winning. The top six is completed by Oscars Brother and Jagwar in fifth and sixth respectively, carrying win probabilities of 7.9 and 6.6%.
Iroko, Jonnywho, Stellar Story and Quai De Bourbon round off the top 10, with Gerri Colombe, Spanish Harlem and the well-fancied Monty's Star following close behind.
Captain Gordon, Jordans and Favori De Champdou are all tipped to finish ahead of 17th-placed Final Orders, who claimed victory in the Cross Country Chase at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
The last four finishers are predicted to be Twig, Perceval Legallois, Answer to Kayf and The Real Whacker, meaning 21 horses from the 37 declared are projected to complete the course, according to the supercomputer. The model flags both Banbridge and Firefox as high-risk runners.
In order to calculate win probabilities and finishing positions, the simulation factored in seasonal form, weight-to-probability ratios, alongside both jockey and trainer performance data.
Panic Attack has been notably favoured over the two Mullins powerhouses, holding an edge over Grangeclare West on the run-in, while I Am Maximus' concession of just under 20lbs is expected to prove decisive over the closing furlongs.
Three days of top-class jump racing are well underway at Aintree, with the showpiece event of the Grand National Handicap Chase scheduled for 4pm on Saturday.
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