The Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus became the first horse since Red Rum n the 1970s to regain his crown in the Aintree Grand National, as Mullins also became the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to win three successive editions of the famous race. In a race with plenty of early drama that saw last year’s third Grangeclare West part company at the first with Patrick Mullins, who won last year on board Nick Rockett, and Panic Attack fall at the third.
I Am Maximus tracked the inside path he knows so well in the hands of Cork jockey Paul Townend. As the race began to develop, Ben Jones made a bold bid to supplement his King George win on The Jukebox Man aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans after two out, but a JP McManus-owned challenge was looming and it was the heavily-backed 9-2 favourite who stormed home best from the elbow to win the race for a second time, having also finished second 12 months ago.
It was a record fourth win in the race for McManus, who also saw his horse Iroko, finish places better than last year for second place. Another first in the National for the Limerick-born owner to have the first two horses home.
