Key Points
- The trainer of today’s betting tip knows how to campaign a Grand National winner
- This horse could follow the same path as the yard’s latest winner of the race
- If he progresses as expected, he’ll be a fraction of the price nearer the time
After a fairly quiet week last week with just three articles, a results update and two antepost selections, we ease back into this week with a hot pick for the 2026 Grand National in April - and I think I have found a potential gem at 100/1. That price is simply far too big to ignore, we need to get it locked now.
I typically post four articles per week for betting.co.uk and that’s what I’ll be doing this week. These are a range of different articles including guides, big race trends, daily tips and these antepost selections. If you are interested in antepost selections like today’s, make sure to check out my other active selections.
These include the Ebor Handicap later this month, the St Leger in September, the King George VI Chase in December, more selections for the
2026 Aintree Grand National, and the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Betting advice
- Saturday 11 April 2026 - 2026 Aintree Grand National -
Whistle Stop Tour
@ 100/1 -
0.5pt Win
William Hill offers the best value all round!
At the time of writing, William Hill are one of two bookmakers offering a three-figure price on Whistle Stop Tour to win the 2026 Grand National and I think that is exceptional value. In addition to the value on the price, they offer fantastic value with their new customer offer too. If you
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Whistle Stop Tour will likely be campaigned for the Grand National
In this article, I'll show you why I’m advising a bet on Whistle Stop Tour for the 2026 Grand National, so make sure you read on to get the full picture.
The trainer of today’s betting tip knows how to train a Grand National winner
Lucinda Russell knows how to train staying Chasers. She has a CV full of big wins such as: -
- Multiple renewals of the Cumberland Chase at Carlisle
- Blue Square Gold Cup Chase
- Future Stars Chase at Sandown
- Multiple Grand National Trials
- Towton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
- John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury
- Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) at Aintree
- Cotswold Chase (Grade 2)
- Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick
- Scottish Grand National
- Scottish Borders National
- Edinburgh National
- Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival three times
- Mares Chase (Listed Race) at Perth
Besides all of those accomplishments, she has won two renewals of the biggest one of them all - The Grand National. She won the 2017 renewal with One For Arthur, and she won the 2023 renewal with Corach Rambler. The latter was actually sent off at 15/2 to land back to back renewals in 2024, but unfortunately he stumbled and unseated Derek Fox at the very first fence!
Whilst he has been with her for a couple of years now, Michael Scudamore has recently added his name to the licence officially. He is no stranger to landing valuable staying Chases either, with two Grade 3s, a Welsh Grand National win with Monbeg Dude,and a third place in the 2015 Aintree Grand National. He also won the Eider Chase up at Newcastle with Mysteree, and another valuable Handicap Chase with Some Chaos at Kelso.
All of this without factoring in the involvement of Peter Scudamore, eight-time champion jockey, partner of Lucinda, and father of Michael. Whilst the Grand National eluded him as a jockey, he won two Hennessy Gold Cups, a Mackeson Gold Cup, four Welsh Nationals and two Scottish Nationals, so he also knows a staying Chaser when he sees one! With such a wealth of expertise within the yard, it’s no surprise they know how to train a Grand National winner, and I can see them adding a third to their record.
He could follow the same path as the yard’s latest Grand National winner
In 2023, Corach Rambler won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for the second year running, then followed it up with a win in the Grand National.
Interestingly, they ran Whistle Stop Tour in the 2025 renewal of the Ultima Handicap Chase. Even more interestingly, he was the subject of strong antepost support for the race. However, his chances were ruined by the starter in a festival that was plagued with issues in that department. Ironically, the stable still went on to win the race with Myretown.
Corach Rambler was then due to take part in the Scottish Grand National, but they ended up withdrawing him due to a combination of the drying ground, and the horrible race he experienced at Cheltenham. For me, that decision was noteworthy. They seemed very keen to look after him, as if they felt he had a big future ahead, and were not prepared to take any chances. He ended up running at Perth instead, but he was a notable drifter on the day and ran accordingly.
Whilst only rated 133, I think he could be open to plenty of improvement through the winter, and I can see him progressing into a serious Ultima Handicap Chase contender come March. If so, he may well follow in the footsteps of Corach Rambler by winning it, and doing so could propel his rating up towards a crack at the 2026 Grand National, something which has already been hinted at as the dream for him.
If he progresses as expected, he’ll be a fraction of the price nearer the time
When betting antepost, you want to find horses that have the potential to go off at a considerably shorter price. If you like a horse for a race months from now, and it’s already 5/1, and likely to go off at 3/1 or 4/1 on the day, there isn’t really much to justify getting involved when you consider the risks attached.
However, at 100/1, Whistle Stop Tour is a huge price, and far too tempting to ignore. As mentioned, I see him relishing the winter ground, and he could be a really progressive horse in those conditions. If so, he could be a big player in the 2026 Ultima Handicap Chase. Even if that much came to fruition, his price would be shortening for the Grand National. However, if he could put on a big performance at Cheltenham, especially if he won there, his odds would collapse for the big one at Aintree.
After winning the 2023 Ultima Handicap Chase, Corach Rambler was sent off as 8/1 favourite for the Grand National. As is often the way in the modern era, it only takes a few to start talking about it on social media, or connections to mention it as the target in an interview, and the bookies will start slashing prices. Therefore, before the National Hunt season gets underway and everybody gets into full swing, I want to secure that 100/1, as it won’t take much to see that price shorten significantly.
Can Whistle Stop Tour give Lucinda Russell a third Grand National win?
When you consider the yard’s history and wealth of experience, Whistle Stop Tour’s progressive profile prior to Cheltenham, and the fact that the Grand National has already been whispered as his long term target, I think this horse has every chance of progressing into the right type for the race.
With antepost betting, price is everything, and we will certainly see plenty of value in our price of 100/1 if he improves as I hope he will. If Whistle Stop Tour progresses through the winter, and becomes a live chance at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, he could be significantly shorter. If he were to deliver a big performance at Cheltenham, he could easily end up near the top of the market.
What a first season on licence it could be for Michael Scudamore if he has a live chance in the Grand National. A race that his grandfather rode the winner of back in 1959 - a horse called Oxo. Michael did manage a third in the race with Monbeg Dude, but by combining forces with Lucinda Russell officially this year, I think they could be a powerful partnership that could push for the Grand National once again.
Just bear in mind that we are many months away from the race, and the horse must progress in order to become a Grand National horse. In addition, you have all of the risks attached with antepost betting, so it’s just half stakes and win only for now. If he begins to develop through the winter as I hope, we may well have a stronger bet nearer the time.
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