It has been one week since I Am Maximus won the 2026 Grand National carrying 11st 12lb — the heaviest winning weight since Red Rum in 1974. The initial wave of coverage has passed. The racing world has had time to process what happened. Here is where the story stands seven days later.
The 2027 Market
I Am Maximus opened at 8/1 for the 2027 Grand National within hours of Saturday's win. The price has since drifted to 12/1 as the market began to factor in the challenge of asking an eleven-year-old horse to carry top weight again. No horse older than ten has won the Grand National in the modern era. The market believes the age is a genuine barrier. Whether it is a barrier for this specific horse — who has already broken one historical record — is the central question of next year's ante-post market.
Mullins's Confirmation
Willie Mullins confirmed within twenty minutes of the race that the 2027 Grand National is the plan. His exact words: "JP is very keen on the National for I Am Maximus. He says he loves the place." The phrase "he loves the place" is specific — Aintree, the National course, the atmosphere. Some horses thrive at Aintree. I Am Maximus demonstrably does, with a record of first, second, first across three consecutive starts.
The Red Rum Comparison
Red Rum won the Grand National three times — in 1973, 1974 and 1977. He won at ages nine, ten and twelve. In between his three wins he finished second twice. His 1977 win at twelve years old remains the oldest winning age in modern times. I Am Maximus won at ten. If he returns at eleven and wins, the age record is broken. If he comes back at twelve and wins, the Red Rum parallel becomes direct and explicit.
Iroko's Camp
The second-placed Iroko's connections said after the race: "We'll come back and win it next year." Iroko was fourth in 2025 and second in 2026. If that progression continues in 2027 — and the form trajectory is as clear as any in recent Grand National history — Iroko is the horse most likely to challenge I Am Maximus for the 2027 crown. He opens at a much bigger ante-post price than the winner.
The Bookmakers' View
William Hill described the payout as "historically high" and confirmed it exceeded £10 million. That level of payout changes how bookmakers price the race in future years — they will be more cautious about the favourite's price if I Am Maximus returns. The 9/2 starting price that produced such a large payout is unlikely to be available again in 2027.
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