I Am Maximus Regains Grand National Title

In a dramatic 2026 Randox Grand National, I Am Maximus etched his name in the record books by becoming the first horse to regain his title since the legendary Red Rum. The race was marked by early drama, with last year's third-place finisher Grangeclare West parting ways with jockey Patrick Mullins at the first fence, and Panic Attack falling at the third. I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, tracked the inside path he knows so well, as the race began to unfold. Ben Jones made a bold bid aboard The Jukebox Man, but a JP McManus-owned challenge was looming, and it was the heavily-backed 9-2 favorite who stormed home best after the final jump to win the race for a second time. This victory marked a record fourth win in the Grand National for McManus, who also saw his Iroko finish second, a first in the race for one owner to have the first two horses cross the finish line. Jordans finished third, with Johnnywho in fourth place. Trainer Mullins, who joins Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as a four-time National-winning handler, praised the horse, saying, 'He's a superb horse who got a fantastic ride.' Mullins also noted that the modern-day National is changing, and they're looking at it differently. Jockey Townend described I Am Maximus as 'tough' and said, 'He'll gallop to the end of the world for you.' In other racing news, Home By The Lee followed up his Stayers' Hurdle success at the Cheltenham Festival with a dominant display in the Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle, giving Joseph O'Brien's 11-year-old a double victory.