Trained by Joseph Patrick O’Brien and ridden by Ben Jones, Jordans ran a blinder in the 2026 Grand National – his first attempt beyond a distance of three miles and a furlong – leading by several lengths over the final fence before being chased down by I Am Maximus and Iroko in the closing stages and finishing third, beaten three-and-three-quarter lengths. The performance was notable for the fact that the seven-year-old was hampered, and almost brought down, at the Foinavon fence on the first circuit. Jones, who was having just his second ride in the Grand National, said afterwards, “…it was probably the best thing really because I just took my time and let him warm up into it.”
A French import, Jordans has just one of his eleven starts over hurdles and fences since joining O’Brien in October 2024, a novice chase over two miles and two-and-a-half furlongs at Punchestown, but did subsequently finish a close second in the Grade 1 Milmay Novices’ Chase on the Mildmay Course at Aintree. After being pulled up in the Grade 3 Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park and finishing eleventh of 16, beaten 15 lengths, in the Listed QuinnBet Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on his two starts prior to the Grand National, his chance at Aintree was less than obvious, hence his 28/1 starting price.
While it is dangerous to draw any firm conclusions from one run over a marathon distance, Jordans appeared to take to the National fences like the proverbial duck to water. He certainly impressed his jockey, who said, “He jumped unbelievably.” It is also worth noting that his indifferent form prior to his Grand National effort came on heavy going, at Gowran Park, and soft going, at Leopardstown. Indeed, O’Brien said before the Grand National, “I was a bit disappointed with him the last day but I think up in trip on better ground will help”. Provided underfoot conditions at Aintree are not too testing, Jordans must have a live chance of going two places better in the 2027 Grand National