I Am Maximus wins thrilling Grand National
Willie Mullins' star follows up Irish National success with English equivalent
Saturday, 13 April 2024
Paul Townend celebrates winning the world's biggest race after 13 attempts
Fantastic stuff, you just couldn't make it up - Willie Mullins
I Am Maximus powered to a thrilling victory in one of the greatest renewals of the Randox Grand National for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, writes Ben Hart.
The 7-1 joint favourite triumphed by seven and a half lengths at Aintree from runner-up Delta Work, with Minella Indo third and Galvin fourth for an Irish one-two-three-four.
Mullins continued his domination of jump racing with a second victory in the world’s most famous race, 19 years on from Hedgehunter’s triumph.
The master of Closutton now leads the way in the UK Jumps Trainers Championship – one of the few accolades missing from his unrivalled CV.
"Paul Townend was super on him, the horse wasn't giving him a lot of help,” said Mullins.
“We saw last year in the Irish Grand National we had supreme confidence in the horse that he had a bit in the tank. He was biding his time and he delivered.
"I didn't say anything until the last fence but then I let go. I love it, I'm buzzing, it's huge. As far as I know all of our team are back in good order so I'm very happy with that.
"I was more confident looking at Paul's [Townend] body language. I thought he was a little bit far back and he was rubbing the fences but Paul's body language told me he's happy.”
For all of Mullins’ success in recent times, a second Grand National triumph had long eluded him and after the well-fancied Mr Incredible fell at the first it looked as though the wait might endure.
A host of runners were in with a chance at the final fence and Rachael Blackmore led after that obstacle but Townend emerged through the crowd for a magical victory.
Mullins said: "Aintree is the first race you see, it's the first race everyone in racing wants to see. Fantastic stuff, you just couldn't make it up."
It was a first Grand National triumph for Townend, who became only the second jockey since Tommy Cullinan in 1930 to have won the Champion Hurdle, Gold Cup and Grand National in the same year.
He steered I Am Maximus to a landmark win at the BoyleSports Irish National last year and the eight-year-old returned the favour this time, as Townend triumphed at the 13th time of asking at Aintree.
"What an unbelievable race and an unbelievable horse. It is a bit surreal, to be honest,” said.
"I ended up being first to the first and got to the Melling Road and he backed back.
"He got careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve energy. I didn’t get the clearest run between the second-last and last.
"I had the ones in front of me in my sights and he responded like I thought he would. I thought he'd pick up for me and he duly obliged. It was very special and he was very brave. It's unique, it hasn't really set in. It's what every young boy with a pony wants to do."
"Gold Cups and Grade Ones are special but Grand Nationals are different. You need so much luck, I am a lucky boy.”
While for JP McManus a third triumph after Don't Push It in 2010 and Minella Times in 2021 means that no owner has won the Grand National on more occasions.
"I love everything about the race,” he said. “I love Liverpool, I love coming here. It's a very special race amongst special people.”
Gordon Elliott had to settle for second in the big race of the day, but he did snag two Grade 1s on Saturday.
Brighterdaysahead triumphed in the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, while Jack Kennedy was also a winner aboard Found A Fifty in the Novices’ Chase.
The three-time Grand National winner said: “It’s that man again Willie Mullins, he’s a thorn in my side. It’s brilliant, I’m so proud of the horse and so proud to be here.
“For me, it’s the greatest race in the world and it’s great to have something to do with it.”
The 7-1 joint favourite triumphed by seven and a half lengths at Aintree from runner-up Delta Work, with Minella Indo third and Galvin fourth for an Irish one-two-three-four.
Mullins continued his domination of jump racing with a second victory in the world’s most famous race, 19 years on from Hedgehunter’s triumph.
I AM MAXIMUS WINS THE NATIONAL 🟢🟡
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 13, 2024
19 years on from Hedgehunter, @WillieMullinsNH is the King of Aintree again 👑#GreenTeampic.twitter.com/CipPlYpkR7
The master of Closutton now leads the way in the UK Jumps Trainers Championship – one of the few accolades missing from his unrivalled CV.
"Paul Townend was super on him, the horse wasn't giving him a lot of help,” said Mullins.
“We saw last year in the Irish Grand National we had supreme confidence in the horse that he had a bit in the tank. He was biding his time and he delivered.
"I didn't say anything until the last fence but then I let go. I love it, I'm buzzing, it's huge. As far as I know all of our team are back in good order so I'm very happy with that.
"I was more confident looking at Paul's [Townend] body language. I thought he was a little bit far back and he was rubbing the fences but Paul's body language told me he's happy.”
For all of Mullins’ success in recent times, a second Grand National triumph had long eluded him and after the well-fancied Mr Incredible fell at the first it looked as though the wait might endure.
A moment to savour 🙌
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 13, 2024
Paul Townend wins his first Grand National 👑#GreenTeam | @AintreeRaces pic.twitter.com/WMEySQ9zzT
A host of runners were in with a chance at the final fence and Rachael Blackmore led after that obstacle but Townend emerged through the crowd for a magical victory.
Mullins said: "Aintree is the first race you see, it's the first race everyone in racing wants to see. Fantastic stuff, you just couldn't make it up."
It was a first Grand National triumph for Townend, who became only the second jockey since Tommy Cullinan in 1930 to have won the Champion Hurdle, Gold Cup and Grand National in the same year.
He steered I Am Maximus to a landmark win at the BoyleSports Irish National last year and the eight-year-old returned the favour this time, as Townend triumphed at the 13th time of asking at Aintree.
This man now leads the UK Trainers' Championship 👑 pic.twitter.com/Nz9UzIbn1v
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 13, 2024
"What an unbelievable race and an unbelievable horse. It is a bit surreal, to be honest,” said.
"I ended up being first to the first and got to the Melling Road and he backed back.
"He got careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve energy. I didn’t get the clearest run between the second-last and last.
"I had the ones in front of me in my sights and he responded like I thought he would. I thought he'd pick up for me and he duly obliged. It was very special and he was very brave. It's unique, it hasn't really set in. It's what every young boy with a pony wants to do."
"Gold Cups and Grade Ones are special but Grand Nationals are different. You need so much luck, I am a lucky boy.”
While for JP McManus a third triumph after Don't Push It in 2010 and Minella Times in 2021 means that no owner has won the Grand National on more occasions.
"I love everything about the race,” he said. “I love Liverpool, I love coming here. It's a very special race amongst special people.”
1⃣ I Am Maximus
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 13, 2024
2⃣ Delta Work
3⃣ Minella Indo
4⃣ Galvin
How about that from the #GreenTeam? 🤯@AintreeRaces pic.twitter.com/4AGAS2UW4y
Gordon Elliott had to settle for second in the big race of the day, but he did snag two Grade 1s on Saturday.
Brighterdaysahead triumphed in the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, while Jack Kennedy was also a winner aboard Found A Fifty in the Novices’ Chase.
The three-time Grand National winner said: “It’s that man again Willie Mullins, he’s a thorn in my side. It’s brilliant, I’m so proud of the horse and so proud to be here.
“For me, it’s the greatest race in the world and it’s great to have something to do with it.”