I Am Maximus won the 2024 Randox Grand National at Aintree for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and owner JP McManus.
The 7/1 favourite stayed on best of all to storm clear in the straight as Irish horses dominated the finish, with Gordon Elliott's Delta Work (28/1) second, Henry de Bromhead's Minella Indo (28/1) third and Elliott's Galvin (40/1) fourth.
Kitty's Light (12/1) ran a stormer for Christian Williams but could only manage fifth in the run for the line.
A whole host of horses were in contention at the final fence, but it was I Am Maximus who finished his race off best of all as he surged clear for a seven-and-a-half length win, ensuring Mullins a second National after Hedgehunter in 2005.
By the Derby winner Authorized, like dual winner Tiger Roll, I Am Maximus was sealing a tremendous campaign after victories in the Drinmore and Bobbyjo Chases at Fairyhouse, where last season he won the Irish Grand National.
Corach Rambler (15/2) unseated his rider Derek Fox at the very first fence in his bid to go back-to-back after last year's success for Lucinda Russell.
Mullins added: “I thought Paul was super on him as I’m not sure the horse was giving him a lot of help on the way round and I could see him just minding him the whole way round.
“We saw that last year in the Irish National and he has supreme confidence in the horse and he always has that bit in the tank. When he was cut off going to the second last or the last, you saw him coming out around and just biding his time waiting for his challenge to deliver.
“I could see Paul’s body language and he was happy, so I was happy then. I don’t think I said anything until he got over the last and then I let go (and gave him a cheer).
“He’s a tremendous horse. He has his own way of doing things, he’s quirky and immature but he’s learning all the time. Nicky Henderson had him before me and said to me ‘make sure you get him’ and it was fine advice, Nicky could see the talent that he had and we just had to nurture it. To win an Irish National and an English National is impressive.
“I think he could be a Gold Cup horse, but we don’t know how good he could be because he doesn’t do it at home. He’s quirky, but he has huge ability and until others get the better of him, we won’t know how good he is.”
First prize in the National is £500,000 – a sum which firmly puts Mullins in the driving seat for the British trainers’ title, with both Ladbrokes and Betfair making the Closutton handler an odds-on shot against Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls.
Mullins added: “Now we’ve won the National we’ll have to give it a good go, we are there with a chance so we might see you all in Sandown, Perth, Ayr – where is there!
“I’m buzzing here now at the moment and it’s huge. As far as I know our team is back in full order with no injuries or anything and I’m happy that we have a full compliment of horses and riders coming back in.”
McManus added: “I don’t have to say anything about the trainer - it has all been said already, and if it isn’t said, people know it. He’s patient - he’s everything you could ask for in a trainer. He delivers.
“I love everything about the race. I love Liverpool, the excitement of coming here, the build-up to the race. It’s just a very special place among very special people.”
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