Grand National 2024: I Am Maximus claims victory at Aintree
Jockey Paul Townend on I Am Maximus after winning the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
I Am Maximus ran out an impressive winner of the Randox Grand National at Aintree.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, I Am Maximus stormed up the famous run-in to claim success as the 7-1 favourite.
Delta Work was second with Minella Indo and Rachael Blackmore in third and Galvin fourth. But last year's winner Corach Rambler unseated his rider Derek Fox at the very first fence.
Mullins was winning the race for a second time after sending out Hedgehunter in 2005 but it was a first Aintree victory for Townend.
He said: "It's an unbelievable race and an unbelievable horse and it's a bit surreal to be honest."
Townend continued: "I ended up being first down to the first to give him a look and as he got to the Melling Road he started backing off so it wasn't a great start, but the volume of horses pushed him down over the first three and he got a bit careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve as much as I could as well.
"He didn't get the clearest run from the second last to the last, but it kind of helped me and I had a feeling when I got him out he was going to start motoring in the clear air and he did.
"The ones in front of me, I'm sure they weren't looking for me but I had them well in my sights. I was hoping he would respond like I thought he would.
"Gold Cups are Gold Cups and Grade Ones are hard to win. But Grand Nationals are just a bit different. You just need so much luck and I can't believe it, I'm a lucky boy."
