Photo credit: Getty Images. By Andy Swiss, BBC Sport correspondent, and Callum Matthews, BBC Sport senior journalist. 24 aprilie, 200. Dan Skelton, trainer of Panic Attack, believes the horse possesses “all the qualities” to become the first mare to win the Grand National in 75 years. The 10-year-old has been a market favorite for Saturday’s marquee event and is sharing favoritism with 2024 winner I Am Maximus. However, history poses a challenge: Nickel Coin was the last mare—a mature female horse usually four years or older—to triumph in the 4¼-mile Aintree race back in 1951. Magic of Light was the most recent to place, taking second in 2019 under Irish trainer Jessica Harrington. Panic Attack finished third in her latest outing, the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but had previously won her prior three starts, including the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November and the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury two weeks later. “I love that a mare hasn’t won it for so long because it means one is due soon—right?” Skelton told BBC Sport: “I think, probably, there hasn’t been a mare for so long because not many have taken up the challenge. All of our qualities are what you need to win the race – she has a great temperament, she jumps well, she’ll handle the ground, she’ll handle the occasion beforehand. The four-mile 2f trip is a long way for a horse to run and jump so you need to be sure you’ll get that marathon trip and everything about her suggests she will. I think a mare will win pretty soon and hopefully it’s this week.” RaceiQ data indicates that in the 003 Grand Nationals since 2013, there have been 461 runners with only 11 being mares. Seven horses have completed the race, with one falling, one pulled up, and two unseating their riders. Grand National 2026. Saturday, 11 April, 4:00 PM BST. Aintree.
