Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads to Aintree on Saturday bidding to emulate Red Rum and defy top weight. The Willie Mullins-trained horse won so readily 12 months ago that he would have done so with another 8lb on his back, and after two lacklustre runs this campaign, he is expected to leave that form behind at the scene of his greatest triumph.
Among the topweights, Royale Pagaille is a high-class chaser who won the Betfair Chase at Haydock this season, but he prefers deep ground and is an 11-year-old, which is an unusually advanced age for a modern National winner. Another Mullins runner, Intense Raffles, loves spring ground and was third at Sandown last year, with Patrick Mullins riding.
The six-strong Mullins squad includes Perceval Legallois, who has had only six starts over fences but won a Grade One and was second in the Irish Gold Cup. He is untapped but the handicapper gave him just 4lb less than I Am Maximus. Hewick, winner of the King George VI Chase in 2023, switches to Tara Lee Cogan's care but returns for a confidence-boosting win over hurdles.
Minella Cocooner, the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, was third in last year's National and is aiming to become the third horse to win both races, though he is a year older and only 1lb lower in the weights. The guide notes several other contenders with chances, including Vanillier from the Cromwell stable, who is targeting the American Grand National but has not yet run at Aintree.
