I Am Maximus became the first horse since in 49 years to regain the Grand National as it lived up to its billing as the race favourite to win at Aintree.
The 2024 champion, and last year’s runner-up, has emulated iconic horse Red Rum of regaining the Grand National in non-consecutive years – with the latter victorious for a third time in 1977, three years after its previous triumph.
In addition too, with a handicap of 11st 12lbs, the JP McManus-owned horses becomes the first top weight to win since Red Rum carried 12 stone to victory in 1974.
Jockey Paul Townend guided I Am Maximus to victory ahead of second-placed Ikoro and third-placed Jordans, with Jonnywho fourth.
The victory also sees legendary trainer Willie Mullins claim a third-successive triumph in this event – and comes less than a month after he saw Gaelic Warrior claim victory at Cheltenham Festival’s prestigious Gold Cup.
Irishman Mullins, has now won the Grand National a total of four times, becomes the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien between 1953 and 1955 to win Aintree’s marquee race for three successive years.
I Am Maximus is a ‘superstar’
‘It was a good call from JP, I’d been going down the Gold Cup route with him, but he said to stay in Aintree with him as he felt he was well handicapped. Paul just executed it so well,’ Mullins said post-race.
‘He’s a superb horse who got a fantastic ride and I think the most trouble he got was from his stablemates and his co-pilots, they didn’t give him much room.
‘It is (hard to win off top-weight), but maybe the modern-day National is changing and we’re looking at it a bit differently.
‘It’s the race we aspire (to win). It’s the race you want to win and be a part of – just to have a runner is a tremendous sensation.
‘He is just a superstar – nothing fazes him. He comes out, does what he has to do and wins Nationals.
‘It’s the first race we all watch on television, it’s the race you grow up wanting to win and just to have a runner in it is a tremendous sensation.’
Asked if he thought I Am Maximus could further emulate Red Rum with a historic third success next year, Mullins said: ‘I thought the horse ran a cracker last year, he just got beaten.
‘Hopefully he’ll be here next year, JP is very keen on the National for I Am Maximus, he says he loves the place and jumps the fences so well. Hopefully we’ll all be here next year.’
A delighted Townend said: ‘He’s tough, isn’t he? He’ll gallop to the end of the world for you.
‘He still probably didn’t travel with the enthusiasm of the first year, but I just thought the cheekpieces helped in the middle part of the race.
‘I saw the one that went in front, but I wasn’t going to be the one chasing him, I had enough going OK in front of me and I was able to get a lead to the elbow.’
