Grand National Jockeys 2027 – Who to watch
Last Updated 3 days ago | By The GrandNational.org.uk StaffPicking the Grand National winner isn’t just about finding the right horse. The jockey matters too. Below, we’ve picked out some of the riders most likely to be in the saddle on well-fancied runners at Aintree in 2027.
Grand National – Who to bet on?
As with horses, proven experience over these fences counts for a lot with jockeys. The Grand National is unlike any other race, so a rider who’s performed well here before, or who’s riding in form more generally, can be the difference between your bet landing and not. Here’s a quick rundown before we go into more detail:
- Paul Townend – Rode I Am Maximus to both his Grand National wins, in 2024 and 2026, and is expected to partner him again in 2027.
- Jonjo O’Neill Jr – Finished runner-up on Iroko in 2026 and could easily go one better next time.
- Ben Jones – Third on Jordans in 2026, leading at the last before being caught in the closing strides.
- Patrick Mullins – The amateur jockey who rode his father’s horse, Nick Rockett, to a 33/1 win in 2025.
- Sean Bowen – Back-to-back Champion Jump Jockey, with growing Grand National experience.
- Derek Fox – A two-time winner who missed the 2026 race through injury and is back riding.
In our opinion, these are the jockeys you should watch closely. The horses they choose to ride have a real chance of running well, and they should be on your “who to bet on for the Grand National” list. A more detailed look at them is below.
Paul Townend
- 2026 Grand National result: 1st
- Grand National rides: 15
- Expected 2027 ride: I Am Maximus
Paul Townend is Willie Mullins’s number one jockey and a five-time Irish Champion Jockey. For a long time his Grand National record lagged well behind his reputation, with just three completed rides from his first 12 attempts, but that’s changed in dramatic fashion. He won on I Am Maximus in 2024, and after missing out to stablemate Nick Rockett in 2025, partnered the horse to a second victory in 2026. Few jockeys have ever gone into the race with a stronger chance of adding a third.
Jonjo O’Neill Jr
- 2026 Grand National result: 2nd
- Horse: Iroko
Jonjo O’Neill Jr guided Iroko to second place in 2026, having also partnered him to fourth as a favourite twelve months earlier. Two good runs from two attempts makes him, and the horse, well worth keeping an eye on if Iroko lines up again in 2027.
Ben Jones
- 2026 Grand National result: 3rd
- Horse: Jordans
Ben Jones rode Jordans into a share of the lead at the last fence in 2026 before being run down by Iroko and I Am Maximus in the closing strides. It was a promising first look at the race for a young jockey, and connections will hope he gets another chance to go one better.
Patrick Mullins
- 2025 Grand National result: 1st
- Grand National rides: several, largely for his father Willie Mullins
Patrick Mullins is one of the most successful amateur jockeys of all time, and his finest hour came in the 2025 Grand National, when he rode his father’s horse Nick Rockett to a 33/1 victory, jumping into the lead at the last and holding off I Am Maximus. Nick Rockett is expected to return to Aintree in 2027 after missing last year’s race through injury, which would put Mullins back in the saddle for one of the more romantic stories the race has thrown up in years.
Sean Bowen
- 2026 Grand National result: 14th
- Grand National rides: 10+
Sean Bowen has won back-to-back Jump Jockeys’ Championships in 2024/25 and 2025/26, and remains one of the most in-form riders in the sport. His best Grand National finish so far came in 2023, fourth on Noble Yeats, and in 2026 he partnered the big-priced Haiti Couleurs home in 14th. A rider in this sort of form is always worth following into the big meetings.
Derek Fox
- Grand National wins: 2017 (One For Arthur), 2023 (Corach Rambler)
Derek Fox is a two-time Grand National winner, both for trainer Lucinda Russell, and his ability to ride a waiting race has been key to both victories. He missed the 2026 National after breaking his back in a fall at Sedgefield, but he returned to the saddle later that year and is back riding into the new season. A jockey with his course record is always one to watch once he’s fully back up to speed.
Take a punt on the world’s most famous race and bet on the 2025 Grand National! For a few extra tips and best odds, have a look at our Grand National Ante post betting tips.
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The GrandNational.org.uk Staff
