Last updated April 8th, 2026
I Am Maximus started 7/1 joint-favourite and easily outstayed his rivals to win for Ireland’s Willie Mullins in the first colours of JP McManus in the 2024 Grand National at Aintree on 13 April. It was a long-awaited second National success for Mullins and a first win for his jockey Paul Townend. It was his lucky 13th ride in the race.
Townend is Mullins’ number one stable jockey. He became the first jockey to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the National in the same year since Jim Culloty achieved the double in 2002. Culloty’s wins were for Henrietta Knight on the legendary Best Mate in the Gold Cup and for Nigel Twiston-Davies in the National on Bindaree.
Both of Townend’s winners were saddled by Mullins. He won the 2024 Gold Cup on Galopin Des Champs. Mullins has trained many National runners since Hedgehunter triumphed for him under Ruby Walsh in 2005 for the late Trevor Hemmings. Walsh also won the National in 2000 on Papillon, saddled by his father Ted.
Now retired as a jockey, Walsh is still a key part of Mullins’ operation at Closutton. He is also a media pundit and said on air that he did not fancy I Am Maximus’ chances. He was adamant that his cautious jumping style would put him too far back to win after losing ground over 30 fences. He was right to say that he would not fall.
I Am Maximus was a close up sixth over the last fence and responded generously when Townend asked for everything after the elbow. He was described by the race commentator as ‘streaking past’ the leading pair. He beat Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work (28/1) by an impressive seven and a half lengths. Henry De Bromhead’s Minella Indo (28/1) finished half a length further back under Rachael Blackmore. Elliott’s Galvin (40/1) was fourth making it a clean sweep for Ireland.
Tony McCoy, the retired multiple champion jockey, thought it was one of the strongest ever renewals with two former Grand National winners, Irish, Scottish and Welsh National winners as well as a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Minella Indo. It was quality rather than quantity as the maximum field size had been reduced to 34. There was a standing start and a shorter distance to the first fence for safety reasons too. Chambard and Run Wild Fred were withdrawn late resulting in a field of 32 on the day.
What happened in the 2024 National?
The new starting arrangements were always a concern for the talented but temperamental Mr Incredible (10/1) partnered by Brian Hayes. One of the team of eight saddled by Mullins, he has been known to refuse to race. He looked to be going well when the saddle slipped here at the Canal Turn second time in 2023 and was most recently seen finishing second in the Midlands Grand National in March. He was slow to get going but his supporters must have been relieved that he consented to take part.
Delta Work made a mistake at the first fence but the only casualty was Corach Rambler (15/2), Lucinda Russell’s titleholder and at one point the 5/1 2024 Grand National favourite. He started well under his usual rider, Derek Fox, but sprawled on landing giving him no chance of maintaining the partnership. Corach Rambler was obviously having a mind-blowingly bad day as he fell when jumping the second as a loose horse.
Meanwhile it was Mullins’ 100/1 outsider Glengouly that took the lead under the late Michael O’Sullivan. He tragically lost his life after a fall in February 2025 when he was just 24-years-old. Elliott’s Minella Crooner (125/1) and Gary Moore’s Nassalam (50/1) were a close second and third, racing on the outside while Glengouly was in the centre of the track. Mouse Morris’ Foxy Jacks (33/1) was close behind them after the second fence.
Glengouly maintained his lead over Bechers, most closely pursued by Foxy Jacks and Joe Tizzard’s grey, Eldorado Allen (66/1) piloted by Brendan Powell. I Am Maximus was not far behind the leaders, saving ground on the rail just behind Minella Indo. Jack Kennedy also took the shortest possible route on Delta Work slightly further back.
Limerick Lace, the 7/1 joint favourite saddled by Gavin Cromwell, was sensibly held up at the rear of the field by Mark Walsh as her stamina was unproven beyond three miles. This seven-year-old mare is owned by McManus and was bred by his wife Noreen. Her odds shortened dramatically in the 2024 Grand National betting after McManus admitted that he had a bet on her when she was 25/1. Limerick Lace was last seen winning a grade two mare’s chase over two and a half miles at the Cheltenham Festival.
McManus’ colours were also carried by Meetingofthewaters (11/1), Ruby Walsh’s tip Capodanno (28/1) and Janadil (125/1), all saddled by Mullins. Some bookmakers were offering odds of 3/1 for a McManus-owned winner.
Glengouly had a lead of a length when dragging his hind legs through the Canal Turn but managed to maintain it. The 2022 Grand National winner Noble Yeats (12/1), trained by the talented Emmet Mullins, Willie’s nephew, and ridden by Harry Cobden was not travelling well at the back. He had only Elliott’s Stattler (40/1) behind him. Stattler was pulled up after the fence by Mr Patrick Mullins, Willie’s son and assistant trainer, as his breathing sounded wrong.
John McConnell’s Mahler Mission (18/1) clouted the Chair, unseating Ben Harvey and hampered Mr Incredible who parted company with Hayes. Glengouly was headed by Foxy Jacks after the 16th fence but regained the lead at the 19th. Christian Williams’ Kitty’s Light (12/1) joined the leaders as Tom Ellis’ Latenightpass (50/1) also took a more prominent position on the outside under Miss Gina Andrews. Peter Bowen’s Mac Tottie (80/1) was pulled up before the 21st fence by his son James as he had lost his action.
Eldorado Allen took the lead after Bechers second time and Dan Skelton’s mare, Galia Des Liteaux (28/1) was edged into contention by his brother Harry. I Am Maximus was spotted by the commentator as going well, still hugging the rail midfield. Elliott’s Coko Beach (28/1) moved closer to the lead.
Elliott’s Farouk d’Alene (100/1) had raced quite prominently but lost his position and was pulled up before the 26th by Donagh Meyler. Glengouly weakened and unseated at the 27th. Eldorado Allen maintained his lead at the fourth last, most closely pursued by Galia Des Liteaux, Kitty’s Light and Latenightpass. Delta Work and Minella Indo were hot on their heels, a few lengths ahead of I Am Maximus.
Latenightpass had a narrow lead over the second last as Eldorado Allen’s effort came to an end. Galia Des Liteaux briefly took second but also weakened as Minella Indo and Delta Work stayed on. Minella Indo took the lead at the elbow ahead of Delta Work but I Am Maximus appeared to have unparalleled stamina reserves and stormed past them.
Kitty’s Light was beaten 10 lengths into fifth, five lengths ahead of De Bromhead’s Ain’t That A Shame (40/1) owned and ridden by a delighted Mr David Maxwell. Meetingofthewaters was beaten a nose into seventh place ahead of the first horse trained in England, Galia Des Liteaux. The joint favourite, Limerick Lace, was hampered early on and made a significant mistake at the 27th fence. She was beaten nearly 30 lengths.
Ireland’s dominance in the staying chase division was confirmed and it was a third National win for I Am Maximus’ sire Authorize. He also sired the diminutive two-time National winner, Tiger Roll trained by Elliott for Gigginstown.
Fiona Derek is our horse racing expert. She has been involved with horses since she was a child and is active in horse racing as both a rider and owner. She has also earned a living as a writer. Fiona tipped 2025 Grand National winner Nick Rockett (33/1) and followed up in 2026 with I Am Maximus (advised 7/1). Both recommended in her in-depth big-race previews here at Just Bookies.