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TOP OF THE BILL – GRAND NATIONAL 2026 RUNNERS: AN OLDER HORSE WITH MARATHON CREDENTIALS BUT TEMPERAMENT QUESTIONS
Top of the Bill represents a fascinating and complex proposition among Grand National runners for 2026, a horse whose raw ability is undeniable yet whose temperament presents genuine considerations. This 10-year-old bay gelding brings strong handicap form credentials and proven marathon staying power—but his temperamental nature demands careful evaluation.
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The Elite Handicap Chase Record
Top of the Bill is a "smart handicap chaser" with a record that, when viewed in isolation from his temperamental considerations, is genuinely impressive. His recent form in 2025 demonstrates he belongs among the best staying handicappers in training. In November 2025, he won decisively at Haydock by 7 lengths from Saladins Son—a commanding performance that established him as a serious operator in top-class handicap company.
More significantly, in February 2026 at Haydock in what was explicitly a Grand National Trial, Top of the Bill finished second, beaten just 1¾ lengths of 11 runners by Grand Geste. This is elite-level form. In a race specifically designed to trial Grand National runners, he finished second to only one horse in a genuinely competitive field.
The commentary was emphatic about his performance: "got much closer to Grand Geste than he had in the Tommy Whittle when last seen before Christmas, given time since (has developed good record when fresh) and running as well as he can granted only his second go at a marathon trip, his stamina shining through for him to come back for more as he did."
This assessment contains multiple critical elements. First, the observation that he "has developed good record when fresh" suggests his connections can orchestrate his campaign to peak at specific moments. Second, the note about "only his second go at a marathon trip" combined with "his stamina shining through" is a direct endorsement of his suitability to the Grand National's extreme distance. Third, the description of him "coming back for more" as he did identifies a horse with genuine fighting spirit and a positive attitude when it matters.
The Staying Power Credentials
For Grand National runners assessment, Top of the Bill's marathon staying ability is genuinely proven. He is proven to have stayed 3½ miles, and hsould be able to handle the extended distance of the National. His recent performances over extreme trips have been encouraging, and his record over marathon distances shows he genuinely relishes the challenge.
His February 2026 Grand National Trialrun over 28.4 furlongs (3½ miles) is particularly significant. Not only did he finish second, but the commentary specifically highlighted that "his stamina shining through for him to come back for more as he did." This is not a horse who merely stays the trip; this is a horse whose stamina is a genuine weapon, a horse who improves as races are run over extreme distances.
By Fame and Gloryout of a mare descended from staying bloodlines, Top of the Bill is bred for the Grand National. At 10 years old, he is at an ideal age for the race: mature enough to possess years of experience and racecraft, yet still capable of the physical demands required.
The Temperament Question
The central consideration about Top of the Bill as a Grand National runner relates directly to his temperament. Timeform describes him as "temperamental," which is not a minor consideration; it is a genuine factor that must be carefully examined. He has currently got the dreaded 'Timeform Squiggle" next to his Chase rating indicating he has shown enough to worry the experts.
His record contains multiple episodes where his temperament has complicated matters. In December 2024, he "showed an alarming display of temperament, something he's hinted at before; chased leaders, carried head awkwardly/hung left from seventeenth, lost place nineteenth, mistake next, behind when pulled up 3 out." This was a race where temperamental issues contributed to his failure.
Similarly, in February 2024, he was "headed briefly eleventh, jumped left 5 out, headed again soon after, weakening when slow last 2," suggesting jumping left and temperamental considerations contributed to his defeat.
However—and this is crucial—these episodes appear to correlate with specific situations. When fitted with cheekpieces, his form improves. When fresh, he performs better. These are not signs of a fundamentally unreliable horse; these are signs of a horse with specific considerations that can be managed.
The Cheekpieces Solution
Top of the Bill wears cheekpieces, and the evidence suggests this equipment adjustment has been beneficial. His winning efforts have largely come while wearing cheekpieces. His December 2024 display of temperament was described as an alarming incident, but this appears to have been a specific episode rather than a pattern of regular failures. Since that incident, he has competed successfully in the Grand National Trial, finishing second.
The pattern suggests that when properly equipped and appropriately ridden, Top of the Bill is a genuine proposition. This is not a horse with a temperamental flaw but also some serious potential at marathon distances.
The Front-Running Profile
Top of the Bill is a "front runner/races prominently," which is a specific tactical profile. He makes his races and dictates from the front. For Grand National runners, this is actually a valuable trait—horses who dictate from the front often perform well at Aintree where controlling the pace can be decisive.
His record when making the running is genuinely strong. The commentary notes he was "successful on all but one of his 6 starts when making the running over fences." This is an exceptional strike rate. A horse who succeeds five times out of six when dictating terms has a clear tactical advantage and a profile suited to winning races from the front.
In his November 2025 Haydock victory, he "made all, jumped well, kicked on approaching 3 out, drew clear from next." This describes a front-running horse who controls his race, dictates the pace, and has the class to repel challengers. This is precisely the profile suited to the Grand National.
The December 2025 Haydock Run Top of the Bill's December 2025 effort at Haydock warrants examination. He finished ninth of 12 in a race where he "wasn't in the same form as last time in a race he couldn't dominate in the same way; in touch, lost place before 5 out, no chance after."
This run is revealing because it shows what can happen when Top of the Bill cannot make and dictate the running from an uncontested lead. The commentary explicitly states he "couldn't dominate in the same way," suggesting he was forced into a different tactical approach and encountered difficulties as a result. This is not necessarily evidence of declining form; rather, it is evidence of a horse whose effectiveness is maximized when he can dictate from the front.
For Grand National runners consideration, the question becomes: what is the likely tactical setup at Aintree? With 40+ runners, there will likely be other front-runners present. However, Top of the Bill's class and proven record suggest he would be capable of controlling a race in such circumstances, provided he is settled and prepared appropriately.
The Grand National Trial Second
Top of the Bill's run in the explicit Grand National Trial at Haydock in February 2026 cannot be overstated in importance. This was a race specifically designed to trial Grand National runners. He finished second, beaten only 1¾ lengths. The fact that Top of the Bill ran so close to Grand Geste in a race explicitly designed for Grand National runners is powerful evidence of his suitability to Aintree.
The commentary was notably positive, emphasising his stamina, his willingness to battle, and his record of performing well when fresh. This is not a horse failing in Grand National trials; this is a horse proving himself in Grand National trials.
The Fresh Record
Timeform specifically notes that Top of the Bill "has developed good record when fresh." This is important information for Grand National runners planning. It suggests his connections can time his campaign appropriately, potentially giving him a freshen-up in the lead-in to the Grand National and bringing him to the race in peak condition.
His Haydock victory came after "off 8 weeks," and his Grand National Trial run came "given time since." Both performances have been strong after breaks. This pattern suggests Top of the Bill is a horse who appreciates time between runs and performs better when fresh. For Grand National runners with March/April targets, this is ideal—his connections can manage his preparation to ensure he arrives at Aintree fresh and ready.
The Jumping Profile
For Grand National runners, jumping accuracy is non-negotiable. Top of the Bill's record in this regard is generally sound. He has demonstrated "jumped well" in his winning efforts, suggesting his jumping is capable when he is settled and properly managed.
His record does include the tendency to jump left, which appears related to his temperamental considerations. However, he is not a horse with a catalogue of serious jumping errors. The leftward jumping tendency appears to correlate with unsettled or temperamental displays rather than fundamental jumping questions. When properly equipped (cheekpieces) and appropriately ridden, his jumping is acceptable.
Ground Flexibility
Top of the Bill is proven on heavy going, a significant advantage for Grand National runners. He has also performed on good to soft ground, indicating he is not ground-dependent. This versatility is valuable for March/April targeting when ground conditions remain variable.
Verdict
Top of the Bill is a genuinely intriguing Grand National runner for 2026, but one who demands careful assessment of both his obvious strengths and his temperamental nature.
His credentials as a Grand National contender are real. He is a smart handicap chaser who has recently demonstrated elite form. He has proven his staying power over 3½ miles and has demonstrated this in explicit Grand National Trials, finishing second to only one horse in a competitive field. He has a proven record when fresh. He has proven front-running credentials and a tactical profile suited to dictating at Aintree. He is properly equipped (cheekpieces) and ridden by experienced pilots who understand his quirks.
However, the temperament question is genuine and cannot be dismissed. Top of the Bill has shown challenging displays of temperamental behaviour on multiple occasions. These are not minor considerations; they are occasions where his temperament has complicated races. The fact that these considerations can be managed through equipment adjustments and understanding pilots does not erase the fact that they present a factor to be considered.
For Grand National runners consideration, Top of the Bill represents a higher-risk, higher-reward proposition than more straightforward horses. He possesses genuine class, proven marathon staying power, and elite recent handicap form. However, his temperamental nature presents a factor to be weighed.
If his connections have genuinely addressed the temperament considerations through the trainer change and equipment management, Top of the Bill is a genuinely compelling Grand National contender—a horse with elite form, proven staying power, and a tactical profile suited to the race. If the temperament considerations resurface, his Grand National prospects would be materially affected.
The evidence from his recent performances—particularly the Grand National Trial second—suggests his connections believe the temperament considerations have been addressed. For those prepared to accept the additional factor that his nature presents, Top of the Bill offers the potential of a horse with genuine Grand National winning claims.
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