Grand National report: I Am Maximus emulates Red Rum at Aintree

I Am Maximus became the first horse since Red Rum to regain the Randox Grand National by staying on strongly to win the Aintree showpiece under Paul Townend.

Willie Mullins also became the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to win three successive renewals of the world's greatest steeplechase.

In a race with plenty of early drama that saw last year’s third Grangeclare West part company with Patrick Mullins – who won last year aboard Nick Rockett – at the first, and Panic Attack fall at the third, I Am Maximus tracked the inside path he knows so well in the hands of Paul Townend.

As the race began to develop, Ben Jones made a bold bid to supplement his King George win on The Jukebox Man aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans after two out – but a JP McManus-owned challenge was looming and it was the heavily-backed 9-2 favourite who stormed home best from the elbow to win the race for a second time, having also finished second 12 months ago.

It was a record fourth win in the race for McManus after Don't Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021) and I Am Maximus (2024). McManus also saw his Iroko go two places better than last year for second – another first in the race for one owner to have the first two home. Jordans was third, with Johnnywho fourth.

Winning jockey Paul Townend said: “He’s tough isn’t he. I think the cheekpieces definitely helped in the middle (of the race) because he helped me going to the start, he was alive. When they jumped off I got into a nice rhythm again, I still didn’t think he travelled with the enthusiasm of the first year but I just thought the cheekpieces helped me in the middle part of the race. 

“I saw the horse in front (Jordans), I wasn’t going to be the one to go chasing them. I was able to get a lead to the Elbow and I didn’t know where the loose horse was going. 

“He’s a really, really good horse, that’s why (I always believed in him). Obviously, Grangeclare West’s preparation was really good in the Bobbyjo and Nick Rockett won this last year and came here and beat me, but this lad wasn’t telling me not to ride him. 

“He’s so good and has got such an engine. He’d gallop to the end of the world for you and I’m privileged to have anything to do with him. What a clever horse. 

“It’s right up there. It’s the Grand Nationals and the Gold Cups, they’re the pinnacle of our sport and I’ve got them both.”

Mullins, who joins Red Rum’s trainer Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as a four-time National-winning handler, said: “He’s got a fantastic ride, the most trouble he got was probably from his stablemates (that were loose), obviously he thought one of them was his co-pilot and didn’t give him much room (in the closing stages).

“Anyone would be emotional. Wow. It was a good call from JP (McManus), I wanted to go for the Gold Cup and he said we’re going to stay for Aintree as he felt he was well handicapped. Paul just executed it so well, didn’t he?

“It’s very hard (to win off top weight), but maybe the modern day National is changing and we have to look at it differently. 

“It’s the first race we all grew up watching and the race we aspire to win when we go into racing. It’s a race you grow up watching and want to be a part of, just to have a runner is a tremendous sensation and for our owners - just to be involved and here at Aintree is great. 

“Randox have made this National their own, it’s a shame that Spanish Harlem didn’t run better for the sponsors, but they have made a huge success of this “new” Grand National. 

“I think we’d have to win a few more Grand Nationals to beat Dan! He’s had a fantastic year and I’m delighted for Dan to win it. He’s only 41, it’s fantastic that he can do that with such a great team of horses at this stage of his career. 

“(I Am Maximus) He’s just a superstar and nothing fazes him. He comes out and he knows what he has to do, he jumps, gallops and wins Nationals.”

JP McManus, the winning owner, said: “We have a bit to do to catch up with Red Rum, but we’ll definitely try. Red Rum was the figurehead of the National with Ginger (McCain), and it’s nice to be even mentioned in the same breath as him. 

“Full marks there to Paul, Willie, Frank (Berry) and the team at Martinstown, they’ve all played a part and it’s just so exciting. I’d like to compliment Paul on the ride, because the horse didn’t appear to be going extra well and he waited for him and sure enough the horse delivered. 

“I had a little on (the winner).”

I Am Maximus is the ninth horse to win the Grand National twice, and the first since Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019) to win twice. He also becomes the fourth horse to regain the Grand National crown after The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Manifesto (1897 & 1899) and Red Rum (1973, 1974 & 1977).

The 11st 12lb the winner, who was sent off the 9-2 favourite, carried to victory is a record this century, and he was the seventh market leader to prevail this century. He's also the shortest-priced winner since Tiger Roll (4-1 for his second victory in 2019).

Toby McCain-Mitchell was banned for 10 days by the Aintree stewards for failing to pull up final-fence faller Top Of The Bill in the Randox Grand National.

The 10-year-old, who is trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, was a first mount in the Aintree contest for McCain-Mitchell, who is the grandson of the late Ginger McCain, the trainer of Red Rum.

Top Of The Bill raced was towards the fore in the four-and-a-quarter-mile showpiece but after quickly tiring, he came down at the last. At a subsequent inquiry, the stewards found McCain-Mitchell to be at fault in not pulling up when detached from the field.

The stewards’ report said: “An inquiry was held to consider whether Toby McCain-Mitchell, the rider of Top Of The Bill, who fell at the last fence, should have pulled the gelding up, having been in a prominent position before weakening rapidly.

“The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed and recordings of the incident were viewed. Having considered the evidence, McCain-Mitchell was suspended for 10 days for failing to pull up when the horse had tailed off.”

Top Of The Bill eventually walked back to the racecourse stables, where he was one of three horses undergoing veterinary assessment.

The Willie Mullins-trained Quai De Bourbon fell at the second fence in the four-and-a-quarter-mile contest, while Sara Bradstock’s Mr Vango came down at the sixth obstacle, with both horses transported back to the stables via horse ambulance.

In an update on all three horses on Saturday evening, a statement from the track read: “Top of The Bill fell at the final fence and was assessed on course. He was walked back to the stables where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He is expected to travel home this evening.

“Mr Vango walked onto the horse ambulance following his fall at the sixth fence, having been assessed, and returned to the stables where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He has travelled to Leahurst Equine Hospital for further tests.

“Quai De Bourbon walked onto the horse ambulance, having been assessed, following his fall at the second fence. He underwent further expert veterinary assessment in the stables and will return home overnight.”

The Gordon Elliott-trained Stellar Story fell at the 19th fence and his rider Robbie Dunne was taken to hospital for further treatment.

Aintree’s statement added: “Jockey Robbie Dunne was assessed on course by the medical team. He is conscious and talking and is being taken to hospital for further assessment.

“All remaining horses and riders are accounted for.”

There was an equine fatality earlier in the day when Get On George had to be euthanised after sustaining an injury on the flat in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.