SUPREME bandwagon rolls on
IAM MAXIMUS – “the greatest” – stormed to Randox Grand National glory for jump racing’s dominant trainerwillie Mullins. In a thrilling £1million race at Aintree, five horses jumped its final fence together, before the 7-1 joint favourite burst out of the pack under Paul Townend.
Switched around duelling leaders Minella Indo, the mount of Rachael Blackmore, and Delta Work, the JP Mcmanus-owned I Am Maximus found another gear to put the result beyond doubt.
His seven-and-a-half length success mirrored Mullins’ power in the sport – and he is at the trainers’ championship summit after banking the £500,000 first prize.
“I’m buzzing here now at the moment and it’s huge,” said the 17-time champion trainer and Cheltenham Festival centurion (inset).
“At home he’s just another horse, nearly a stable pet. He never shows me on the gallop that he’s a champion.
“It puts us right up there with a chance of an English title and it’s another National for Jp.what more could you ask for?”
On his 13th attempt, Townend was winning the iconic four mile, two-and-a-half furlong contest just one month after inspiring stablemate Galopin Des Champs’ Gold Cup title defence.
Opting to race inside, Townend had to hold on tight as I Am Maximus made a mistake at Becher’s Brook second time, following loose horse Mahler Mission.
And he was the only real scare for Townend, threatening to cut up the run-in principals having dumped race debutant Ben Harvey at the Chair. But as soon as I Am Maximus switched, it was game over for the rest, as Irishtrained horses filled the first four spots.
Gordon Elliott trained the second Deltawork (28-1) and fourth Galvin (40-1), with Henry de Bromhead’s 2021 Gold Cup hero Minella
Indo sandwiched between the pair.
“It’s a bit surreal to be honest,” said Townend, after giving Mullins his first National success since Hedgehunter in 2005. “I’m a lucky boy. He got a little careful on the second circuit and didn’t get a clear run.when I got him out, he was motoring.” The winner’s task was made easier when Lucinda Russell’s defending champion Corach Rambler unseated Derek Fox at the first fence.
I Am Maximus, who headed the National market alongside fellow Mcmanus runner Limerick Lace, used to be trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by the late Mike Grech, who died aged 63 last year.
Of 32 runners in a new-look edition, 21 horses completed the 30-fence test – the highest number since 1992.
Two late absentees, Chambard and Run Wild Fred, made it the smallest line-up for 25 years. Although no match for the winner, De Bromhead was thrilled with Minella Indo’s third for history-maker Blackmore, the first female jockey to triumph three years ago.