I Am Maximus Joins Grand National Greats By Regaining Crown To Emulate Red Rum

I Am Maximus made history erstwhile becoming nan first equine to regain nan Grand National since nan Aintree fable Red Rum successful nan 1970s.

The top-weight, who was backed into favouritism precocious successful nan day, was victorious successful an incident-packed race, winning again aft a memorable triumph successful 2024.

In a title pinch plentifulness of early play that saw past year’s 3rd Grangeclare West portion institution pinch Patrick Mullins – who won past twelvemonth aboard Nick Rockett – astatine nan first, and Panic Attack autumn astatine nan third, I Am Maximus tracked nan wrong way he knows truthful good successful nan hands of Paul Townend.

As nan title began to develop, Ben Jones made a bold bid to supplement his King George triumph connected The Jukebox Man aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans aft 2 retired – but a JP McManus-owned situation was looming and it was nan heavily-backed 9-2 marketplace leader who stormed location champion from nan elbow to triumph nan title for a 2nd time, having besides vanished 2nd 12 months ago.

It was a grounds 4th triumph successful nan title for McManus, who besides saw his Iroko spell 2 places amended than past twelvemonth for 2nd – different first successful nan title for 1 proprietor to person nan first 2 home. Jordans was third, pinch Johnnywho fourth.

The victorious jockey Paul Townend, who was completing nan Gold Cup and Grand National double this season, said afterwards: “He’s reliable isn’t he? He still didn’t recreation pinch nan enthusiasm of nan first twelvemonth but nan cheekpieces helped successful nan mediate of nan race.”

Townend was rewarded for sticking pinch I Am Maximus and added: “He’s a really, really bully horse, that’s why. He wasn’t telling maine not to thrust him. He’s truthful good. He’s sewage specified an motor and will gallop to nan extremity of nan world for you.”

Full result:
1 I Am Maximus (Paul Townend) 9-2 Fav
2 Iroko (Jonjo O’Neill Jr.) 18-1
3 Jordans (Ben Jones) 28-1
4 Johnnywho (R P McLernon) 12-1

• More specifications soon …