Paul Townend enjoys 'huge win' to the Maximus

VICTORY MARCH: I Am Maximus and Paul Townend with groom Steven Cahill and Ward Union Huntsmen Damian Campbell and Paul Carberry (right) after their victory in Monday’s BoyleSports Irish Grand National. Pic: Healy Racing

Paul Townend isn’t prone to outward shows of emotion but a couple of punches to the air after he crossed the line victorious aboard I Am Maximus revealed just what it meant to the champion jockey to put a first Boylesports Irish Grand National on his personal roll of honour.

It is just a matter of weeks since he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the third time, but this really meant the world to the Midleton native, who was giving trainer Willie Mullins a second success in the race, four years after Burrows Saint’s win under Ruby Walsh.