He won. And in winning, he rewrote the record books. I Am Maximus became the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to regain the Grand National crown, completing a journey that started with a dominant win in 2024, continued with a heartbreaking second behind Nick Rockett in 2025, and culminated in one of the most remarkable results in the race's 187-year history on Saturday afternoon at Aintree.
The final margin was two and a half lengths over Iroko, with Jordans a further distance back in third. The SP was 9/2 — a punters' winner, with bookmakers taking a significant hit. Ladbrokes called it a "punters' Grand National through and through."
The Race
The early stages produced the drama that defines Aintree. Grangeclare West, ridden by Patrick Mullins who won the race last year on Nick Rockett, unseated at the very first fence. Quai De Bourbon fell at the second, hampering Panic Attack — the race-day favourite who had been backed into 9/2 alongside I Am Maximus. Panic Attack fell at the third. Within three fences, both of the market's principal alternatives to I Am Maximus were out of the race.
I Am Maximus, tracking the inside path Paul Townend knows intimately from two previous National rides, was not fluent at every fence but stayed on his feet throughout. After the Canal Turn on the second circuit he lit up, Townend later describing the moment the horse "just lit up" as one of the great riding experiences of his career. Jordans led approaching the Elbow and looked like Joseph O'Brien might claim his first National. I Am Maximus closed him down on the flat, led, stayed on strongly.
The Records
First horse since Red Rum to regain the Grand National title. Red Rum won in 1973, was second in 1974, won again in 1975 and 1977 — a record of dominance that defined the race for a generation. I Am Maximus now shares the distinction of winning the race twice as a returning champion. He also carried 11st 12lb to victory — the heaviest winning weight since Red Rum carried 12st in 1974. Three consecutive Grand National wins for Willie Mullins — the first trainer since Vincent O'Brien in the 1950s to achieve that. JP McManus becomes the most successful owner in the race's history with four wins.
Mullins on the Win
Willie Mullins was uncharacteristically effusive. He described the horse as "a superstar — nothing fazes him" and acknowledged that JP McManus's decision to target Aintree rather than the Gold Cup route was a key call. Townend described the ride as "just magical" — an unusually emotional response from a rider who typically gives composed post-race assessments.
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