I Am Maximus landed a huge public gamble when justifying favouritism in the 2026 Grand National at Aintree.

Carrying top weight, the 9/2 market-leader pounced late under Paul Townend to win by over two lengths from Iroko (18/1). Jordans (28/1) finished third, having looked the likely winner approaching the final fence, and Johnnywho (12/1) came fourth.

Winner of the race two years ago and second in 2025, I Am Maximus is trained by Willie Mullins, who was winning the race for the third year in a row, equalling the achievement of Vincent O'Brien in the 1950s. J.P. McManus was the winning owner for the fourth time, a record for the race.

I Am Maximus is the first horse since Red Rum to regain his Grand National crown.

In a race with plenty of early drama that saw last year’s third Grangeclare West part company with Patrick Mullins – who won last year aboard Nick Rockett – at the first, and Panic Attack fall at the third, I Am Maximus tracked the inside path he knows so well.

As the race began to develop, Ben Jones made a bold bid to supplement his King George win on The Jukebox Man aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans after two out – but a J.P. McManus-owned challenge was looming and it was the heavily-backed 9/2 favourite who stormed home best from the elbow to win.

Fourth last year, Iroko went two places better this time and it was another first in the race for one owner to have the first two home.

Mullins, who joins Red Rum’s trainer Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as a four-time National-winning handler, said: “It was a good call from J.P, I’d been going down the Gold Cup route with him, but he said to stay in Aintree with him as he felt he was well handicapped. Paul just executed it so well.

“He’s a superb horse who got a fantastic ride and I think the most trouble he got was from his stablemates and his co-pilots, they didn’t give him much room.

“It is (hard to win off top-weight), but maybe the modern-day National is changing and we’re looking at it a bit differently.

“It’s the race we aspire (to win). It’s the race you want to win and be a part of – just to have a runner is a tremendous sensation.

“He is just a superstar – nothing fazes him. He comes out, does what he has to do and wins Nationals.”

A delighted Townend said: “He’s tough, isn’t he? He’ll gallop to the end of the world for you.

“He still probably didn’t travel with the enthusiasm of the first year, but I just thought the cheekpieces helped in the middle part of the race.

“I saw the one that went in front, but I wasn’t going to be the one chasing him, I had enough going okay in front of me and I was able to get a lead to the elbow.”

FINISHING ORDER

1. I Am Maximus 9/2f

2. Iroke 18/1

3. Jordans 28/1

4. Johnnywho 12/1

5. High Class Hero 66/1

6. Favori De Champdou 40/1

7. Final Orders 22/1

8. Champ Kiely 25/1

9. Three Card Brag 50/1

10. Monty's Star 14/1

11. Answer To Kayf 100/1

12. Gorgeous Tom 20/1

13. Imperial Saint 50/1

14. Haiti Coeleurs 28/1

15. Twig 40/1

16. Firefox 40/1