“Maximus, a well-favoured win in the Randox Grand National, surged to victory, awarding the ever-successful trainer Willie Mullins his second win in this prestigious Aintree event. Mullins’ prior victory was 19 years ago with Hedgehunter, and out of the 32 contenders that came to the race in Liverpool, eight of them were trained by him. However, Maximus, who had a remarkable run in the previous year’s Irish Grand National, was the favourite to win.
His splendid warm-up for the Bobbyjo Chase drew many bettors towards Maximus, an eight-year-old Grade One victor. Jockey Paul Townend guided the 7-1 market favourite, Maximus, with absolute assurance as Maximus displayed no evidence of past jumping weaknesses.
The race began with adrenaline spiked tension when defending champion Corach Rambler threw off Derek Fox at the first barrier itself. Approaching the second-to-last barrier, a host of participants were still fighting for the lead, and it was here Maximus began to make his move.
However, as the race reached the elbow, Maximus sprinted ahead of the rest, leaving behind Rachael Blackmore’s Minella Indo and the persevering Delta Work, who secured second place in his third attempt at this renowned race.
This win marked jockey Paul Townend’s first Grand National victory, while for owner JP McManus, it was his third time winning at Aintree, following Don’t Push It in 2010 and Minella Times in 2021.”