I Am Maximus Reclaims Grand National Title

I Am Maximus etched his name into the history books by becoming the first horse to reclaim the Grand National title since the iconic Red Rum, with a thrilling performance in the 2026 Randox Grand National. The race was not without its drama, as last year's third-place finisher, Grangeclare West, and jockey Patrick Mullins parted ways at the first hurdle, while Panic Attack fell at the third. I Am Maximus, under the skilled guidance of Paul Townend, navigated the challenging course with ease, ultimately emerging victorious. A bold bid by The Jukebox Man, ridden by Ben Jones, was thwarted by the heavily-backed 9-2 favorite, who stormed home to claim the top spot. This marked a record fourth win in the Grand National for owner JP McManus, with Iroko finishing second, a first for one owner to have the top two finishers. Jordans took third place, followed by Johnnywho in fourth. Trainer Mullins, now 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 may be changing, making it possible for top-weight horses to win. I Am Maximus's victory was a testament to his exceptional skill and the expertise of his team. Townend described the horse as 'tough' and willing to 'gallop to the end of the world.' The win was also a significant milestone for owner JP McManus, who expressed his enthusiasm for the National and his desire to return next year. Meanwhile, Home By The Lee dominated the Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle, following up his Stayers' Hurdle success at the Cheltenham Festival with a commanding performance, ridden by J J Slevin. Trainer Joseph O'Brien attributed the win to the horse's exceptional stamina and the team's strategic planning, saying, 'We had a plan today that once they got down the back straight, J J was going to inject the pace, and he really stepped it up down the back.'