Mirabad Stuns Aintree with 50-1 Grand National Festival Win
By John doe
Mirabad powered to a stunning 50-1 shock victory in the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices' Chase on the final day of the 2026 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse.
The seven-year-old, trained by Dan Skelton, defied expectations to land the two-mile Grade One contest under jockey Tristan Durrell. Mirabad had only won one of his five previous starts over fences, but at Aintree he ran out a impressive six-length winner over Willie Mullins' 8-11 favourite Salvator Mundi.
A Race of Surprises
Skelton's first string Be Aware had made much of the early running alongside Salvator Mundi. However, after the Irish raider moved clear of that rival, it was Mirabad who emerged as the genuine threat. Travelling confidently under Durrell, Mirabad jumped to the front over the final fence and moved clear for a comfortable success.
Durrell, who partnered Grand National favourite Panic Attack to victory in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November, was celebrating his first Grade One victory.
Jockey's Delight
"Unbelievable. My best chance so far in a Grade One was yesterday with L'Eau Du Sud in the JCB Melling Chase and I was really disappointed, yet I've bagged one today," Durrell said. "I couldn't believe how well he was travelling. I knew the race would suit him if they went fast, but it was a question of whether he was good enough to win, and he was."
"He's a hardy horse and has got a lot of heart, so it's nice for him. I'm not counting my chickens yet about winning the conditional jockeys' title but it's looking that way now. Coming here and winning a Grade One is topping off an amazing season."
Trainer's Perspective
Winning trainer Dan Skelton admitted surprise at the result but revealed the tactical approach that paid dividends.
"I've no idea how that happened, but I said to the lads beforehand that the only time he has run moderate for us was at Bangor, where he probably got stuck in the ground," Skelton explained. "I said to Tristan 'drop him in, go thieving, and nick what you can, and you never know'. It was always going to be a strong pace and Be Aware has probably run better there than he has done all season in third."
Skelton also praised Durrell's performance, hinting at a potential long-term partnership. "It's great for Tristan. He's going to be champion conditional and now he's a Grade 1 winner. Harry's getting older and we'll need a jockey in five, six, or however many years. Tristan could be that rider as he's improving, improving and improving and we are very proud that he's a homegrown talent."
Future Plans
Runner-up Salvator Mundi will bid to gain compensation at the Punchestown Festival at the end of the month. County Carlow handler Mullins said, "He just didn't jump the way he can jump, and it cost him in the end, I think. He'll go to Punchestown."
Wade Out Dominates Handicap Hurdle
Earlier on the card, Wade Out (18-1) turned the William Hill Handicap Hurdle into a procession with a smooth victory under Gavin Sheehan. The Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old, who had been sixth over hurdles at this meeting last year, powered clear to score by eight-and-a-half lengths from Eagle Fang (28-1), with Chart Topper (25-1) another length back in third. Dan Skelton's Cheltenham Festival scorer Supremely West (7-1) finished fourth.
