I Am Maximus wins the Aintree Grand National for Team Closutton again

I Am Maximus has regained the English Grand National for Carlow trainer Willie Mullins as he rewrote the history books under jockey Paul Townend following a pulsating renewal of the greatest Steeplechase in the world at Aintree this afternoon.

Backed as if defeat was out of the question, the ten-year-old claimed the race for a second time under an ultra-cool ride from Townend in what was an incredible race that saw the JP MacManus-owned son of Authorized, ensured a third straight win in the race for trainer Mullins, who was winning the race for a fourth time, at odds of 9/2.

After Willie’s son Patrick was unseated at the first fence on Grangeclare West, Quai De Bourbon came down under Donagh Meyler for Team Closutton. It wasn’t looking good as eight became six. With I Am Maximus making a couple of mistakes along the way, it looked as if Jordans, trained by Joseph O’Brien, had stolen a march on the field, but all was soon to change.

He was quickly followed by Mullins’ High Class Hero, who ran an amazing race under James Bowen, but it was Townend, who pounced on the 2024 champion off the elbow to lead home a 1-2 for MacManus with Iroko finishing in second. Jordans held out for third with Johnnywho and High Class Hero fourth and fifth respectively.

“It was a fantastic race, and he got a fantastic ride from Paul Townend,” said Willie Mullins. “Wow! It was a good call from JP as we wanted to go down the Gold Cup route, but he wanted to come here. Paul was so good on him when he was under pressure from some of his co-pilots.

“It’s the race that we inspire to win when you come into racing. To be here at Aintree is incredible, and to win it again is special.” 

Jockey Paul Townend said: “He’s tough, isn’t he? The cheekpieces helped, but he made a couple of mistakes. He is such a tough horse and this means so much.”