The 2026 Grand National has now entered the annals of racing history, and what a showdown it turned out to be. From the pandemonium that unfolded on Aintree’s famed course emerged a performance that will be remembered for years to come: I Am Maximus, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins and piloted by veteran jockey Paul Townend, secured a victory that makes him the first horse since the iconic Red Rum to reclaim the trophy after a previous win. Mullins, often hailed as one of the greatest trainers of all time, reinforced that reputation by guiding I Am Maximus back to the National for a third attempt and delivering a career‑best, decisive win. If anyone had predicted that this chestnut would become a Grand National legend after watching him stumble through his novice chase season in 2022/23, they would have been met with disbelief.
Yet Mullins has now orchestrated three successive campaigns that have peaked at exactly the right moment, each year showing renewed enthusiasm and a determination to improve upon the last. When the field assembled at the start line last Saturday, the race essentially became a partnership between two individuals acting as one entity: I Am Maximus and Paul Townend.
The horse possesses a distinctive jumping style, but Townend has learned to read those quirks and adapt his approach, allowing the gelding to find his rhythm over each fence. Townend’s experience in the National is extensive, but even with that background, the composure he displayed as the race intensified was nothing short of extraordinary.
He remained calm, settled the horse, and waited for the perfect moment to unleash a powerful finish. The finishing surge that I Am Maximus produced, carrying top weight and a rating of 168, was truly sensational. Traditionalists may scoff at the notion that modern horses like Tiger Roll and I Am Maximus have matched or even surpassed the difficulty faced by past greats such as Red Rum, but the evidence suggests otherwise. While it is true that the jumping tests of earlier eras were arguably tougher, the contemporary version of the race has evolved into a far more competitive and high‑class contest.
The emphasis today is less on identifying the absolute best jumper and more on discovering the best‑handicapped horse on the day. In this context, genuine "no‑hopers" are a rarity, and the ability of I Am Maximus—and his predecessor Tiger Roll—to prevail against deep, talented fields repeatedly is a testament to their quality. Looking back at the 2024 and 2025 renewals, many observers noted the unusually low number of falls, unseated riders, and chaotic moments.
Some praised the cleaner races as a welcome development, while others dismissed them as dull, arguing that they stripped away the race’s historic drama. The 2026 edition, however, reminded everyone that despite altered fences and a reduced field size, uncertainty and excitement remain integral to the modern National. Seven horses fell and another seven were unseated, creating a dramatic narrative in which many fan‑favorites offered only fleeting hope before being eliminated.
Track designers have invested heavily in safety measures, including specially engineered holding pens intended to capture loose horses. Nevertheless, a handful of wayward runners slipped past these safeguards, adding an extra layer of tension throughout the contest.
This blend of safety and unpredictability underscores the delicate balance the sport strives to achieve. Older enthusiasts may continue to voice strong opinions—either nostalgic reverence for the "old" National or staunch support for the contemporary format—but younger spectators, whose only experience of the race is the modern version, are likely to be satisfied with the spectacle they witnessed.
For those who bought into the promise that the Grand National delivers ten minutes of pure excitement, last Saturday’s race delivered exactly that, if not more. In truth, the classic Grand National as it was imagined in the mid‑20th century has been gone for decades, and it is perhaps time to stop yearning for a bygone era.
What remains is still the most high‑profile, high‑risk, and exhilarating National Hunt event on the planet. While some will forever cling to memories of the past, they are entitled to their sentiment. The rest of us, however, can celebrate the race as it stands today—a thrilling, world‑class contest that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
The modern Grand National may be different, but it is no less a spectacular showcase of skill, courage, and the unpredictable drama that makes sport unforgettable.