I Am Maximus, the 9/2 favourite, has won the Grand National at Aintree, becoming the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s to reclaim the title after losing it. Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, the gelding had previously won in 2024 but finished second to Nick Rockett in 2025. This victory gives Mullins three consecutive Grand National wins, a feat not achieved since Vincent O'Brien in the 1950s, and makes owner JP McManus the first to have four winners in the race.
The race was marked by chaos as loose horses disrupted proceedings. Jordans, a 28/1 outsider ridden by Ben Jones, led over the final hurdle, but I Am Maximus surged past in the final furlong. Iroko (18/1) finished second, with Jordans third and Johnnywho (12/1) fourth. Townend praised his mount: 'He's tough isn't he! He gallops to the end of the world for you. This win is right up there.'
However, the day was overshadowed by incidents. Quai De Bourbon fell at the second fence and Mr Vango at the sixth; both were taken for veterinary assessment. Top Of The Bill fell at the final fence but later walked back to the stables. Jockey Robert Dunne, unseated from Stellar Story, was taken to hospital conscious and talking. Earlier in the meeting, Gold Dancer was euthanised after breaking his back on Friday, and Get On George was put down after pulling up in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.
Mullins reflected on the difficulty of winning off top weight, the first since Red Rum in 1974: 'It's very tough. But it is changing, maybe we need to look at it. It's the one we aspire to win when we go into racing.' Townend, who now has both Grand National and Gold Cup victories, added: 'He's so good, he's got such an engine.'
