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TWIG – GRAND NATIONAL 2026 RUNNERS: GRAND NATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND A LATE CAREER RESURGENCE
Twig represents one of the most improbable yet genuinely intriguing Grand National runners for 2026, a horse whose career trajectory has defied conventional expectations and whose recent form suggests he is peaking at precisely the right moment.
This 11-year-old bay gelding, trained by Ben Pauling for Mrs G. Morgan, arrives at Aintree with a unique profile: an older horse with modest early pedigree who has somehow evolved into a competitive handicap chaser capable of winning at an impressive level.
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The Unlikely Rise of Twig
Twig's path to Grand National contention is perhaps the most unconventional among the field. He did not burst onto the scene as a celebrated youngster. Rather, he has gradually, almost improbably, developed from a quirky, amateur chase winner with decent hurdle form into a horse winning significant races this season
His early career was marked by uncertainty. He raced in amateurs' chases and hurdles, showing glimpses of ability but frustrated by his temperamental nature and inconsistent approach. His bumper form was modest. His early hurdle form showed promise but also inconsistency.
Yet somehow, under Ben Pauling's training, Twig has gradually improved and evolved. His recent form—winning at Sandown in November 2025 and, more significantly, winning the Becher Chase at Aintree in December 2025—suggests he has finally found his level and is performing at an impressive standard. The Becher Chase Victory:
The Statement Performance
The most significant piece of evidence regarding Twig's Grand National credentials comes from his victory in the Becher Chase at Aintree in December 2025, a race won by just a short head from Mr Vango. This was not a dominant victory; it was a hard-fought battle. Yet it carries considerable significance.
The Becher Chase is contested over the same track, using the same fences (excluding the Water Jump in the Grand National proper), and over a shorter distance (25.9 furlongs vs 34.3 furlongs for the Grand National). Horses who win the Becher Chase have demonstrated they can handle Aintree's unique demands. They have proven they can jump the Becher's Fence, the Canal Turn, and all the other features that make Aintree distinctive.
This is a horse who has proven himself over Aintree's fences and who has won at that venue.
The commentary on his Becher Chase run is revealing: "was back in far deeper waters than when beating 3 fellow veterans on his return but proved at least as good as ever in following up, typically thinking he'd done enough once in front in reapplied cheekpieces and having to survive a stewards inquiry having taken the 4-timer-seeking favourite out to his right; taken wide, handy, ridden between 3 out and 2 out, led approaching last, idled run-in, joined over 1f out, edged ahead again final 100 yds, just held on."
This describes a horse of genuine quality, one who led decisively, was tested when thinking he had won, had to respond to a challenge in the final 100 yards, and held on. This is not a horse winning through fortune; this is a horse who won through class and determination. The fact he survived a stewards inquiry speaks to the closeness of the race, but he won nonetheless.
The Sandown Veteran Chase Victory
Prior to his Becher success, Twig won a veterans' chase at Sandown in November 2025, his first victory since the 2023 Summer Cup. The commentary noted he had "been highly tried last season" but retained "a useful level of form; close up, led eleventh, headed 4 out, shaken up after, disputed lead again 3 out, edged ahead final 100 yds, all out to hold on."
This Sandown victory was crucial in demonstrating that Twig had returned to winning form after an extended period off. For Grand National runners consideration, this established that he was capable of winning when required, that he possessed the temperament to battle in close finishes, and that his form trajectory was upward.
Staying Power and Distance Credentials
For Grand National runners assessment, Twig's marathon staying ability is proven. He contested the 2025 Grand National and finished a never-near 20th, however he did see the race out.
is proven to have stayed 3¼ miles, comfortably sufficient for Aintree's 4 miles and 2½ furlongs. More significantly, he has competed over 34.3 furlongs (the Grand National distance) and has handled it.
At 11 years old, Twig is the oldest horse in this Grand National runners field. However, his recent performances suggest age has not diminished his capabilities. Indeed, the commentary on his Becher Chase run notes he was "back in far deeper waters than when beating 3 fellow veterans," indicating he was competing against other older horses and proving competitive. Some horses develop their best form with age and experience; Twig appears to be one of them.
The Ben Pauling Factor
Ben Pauling's training of Twig is significant. Pauling is renowned for his patience, his ability to develop horses over time, and his expertise with older horses and potential Grand National prospects. The fact that Twig has improved materially under Pauling's care, winning significant races, suggests the trainer has found a way to manage the horse's considerations and optimise his performance.
The Temperament Question
Twig has demonstrated quirks and temperament considerations throughout his career. He has "hung left" on multiple occasions, has "raced freely" at times, and has shown responses to physical demands in at least one instance. These are factors that warrant consideration.
However—and critically—these considerations do not appear to have prevented him from winning. His recent victories at Sandown and particularly at Aintree suggest that, while he remains quirky, his temperament is manageable and does not prevent him from performing successfully. The reapplication of cheekpieces for his Becher Chase run, combined with his victory, suggests the equipment adjustment was beneficial.
For Grand National runners consideration, the question is not whether Twig has temperament considerations (he clearly does) but whether those considerations prevent winning performances (they do not appear to). His Becher Chase victory came alongside his quirks being managed, rather than in spite of them.
Ground and Going Versatility
Twig is proven on good to firm and heavy going, providing genuine ground flexibility. He has performed on both extremes and on ground in between. This versatility is valuable for Grand National runners, as it reduces risk related to ground conditions.
His Becher Chase victory came on soft ground, indicating he can perform when the ground is testing. His other victories have come on varied ground, suggesting he adapts well.
The Post-Race Physical Response Concerns
Twig's record includes references to post-race physical responses, and critically, one report of "showing signs of post-race ataxia" following an April 2024 run at Aintree. This is a factor that warrants consideration and monitoring.
However—and importantly—Twig has subsequently raced multiple times at Aintree without apparent issues. He won the Becher Chase in December 2025, months after the earlier report, and demonstrated he could handle a significant physical effort over testing ground and Aintree's demanding fences. This suggests either the earlier episode was a one-off occurrence or it has been effectively managed.
For Grand National runners assessment, the critical question is the likelihood of recurrence. The evidence from his Becher Chase run suggests he has coped adequately with similar physical demands since the earlier episode.
The March 2026 Hurdle Run
Twig's most recent run came in March 2026 at Uttoxeter in a hurdle race, where he finished seventh of 17, beaten 11 lengths. This run, after being "off 3 months," appears to have been preparatory rather than a main objective. The commentary notes he "was presumably having a warm-up for the Grand National back over hurdles after 3 months off."
This is critical information. Timeform explicitly identifies this hurdle race as a preparation run for the Grand National. The modest run is therefore not evidence against his Grand National prospects; rather, it was a training race designed to ready him for his main target.
The £500,000 Bonus
The commentary on his Becher Chase run notes he is "eligible for a £500,000 bonus if he can go on and land the Grand National in the spring." This suggests connections and bookmakers view him as having a genuine chance at the Grand National. The fact that such a bonus exists identifies him as a horse with realistic winning prospects.
More significantly, the fact that his connections continue with the Grand National target after his Becher Chase victory suggests they believe the run has readied him optimally for the task ahead.
Verdict
Twig is a genuinely fascinating Grand National runner for 2026, though one whose case rests fundamentally on his Becher Chase victory and his recent improvement.
His recent performances tell a compelling story. He won a competitive Sandown veterans' chase. He won the Becher Chase at Aintree, proving he can handle the track and its unique fences. He did so narrowly, battling hard, which suggests genuine quality and determination.
For Grand National runners assessment, the critical evidence is that Twig has proven himself at Aintree over its fences and that his connections, rather than resting on that achievement, are targeting him at the Grand National proper. This suggests they believe the Becher Chase victory was evidence of a horse finally showing his best level.
The temperament considerations remain a factor, and the earlier physical response history warrants monitoring. However, his recent performances suggest these matters are manageable and do not prevent winning efforts.
Twig represents a horse who may have found his best form later in his career, who has proven he can handle Aintree's demands, and who is targeting the Grand National with his connections' full commitment. He is a horse whose compelling narrative, combined with concrete recent evidence of competitive form, identifies him as a genuine proposition among Grand National runners.
For those prepared to embrace an unlikely story and a horse whose best years appeared to be behind him until recently, Twig offers the possibility of a Grand National contender who is precisely where his connections believe he should be: ready to compete at the highest level in the race for which his recent performances suggest he is suited.
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