2 minutes Last year’s Irish Grand National winner, ridden by Paul Townend pulled clear on the run-in to finish ahead of Delta Work
I Am Maximus has won the Grand National for trainer Willie Mullins after a thrilling race that saw last year’s winner, Corach Rambler unseat his rider at the first fence. Last year’s Irish Grand National winner, ridden by Paul Townend pulled clear on the run-in to finish ahead of Delta Work and 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Minella Indo.
The leading British challenger was Kitty’s Light for trainer, Christian Williams. Winner of last year’s Eider Chase, Scottish Grand National and bet365 Gold Cup, Kitty’s Light was prominent throughout but didn’t quite have the pace to keep with the leading trio.
Speaking after the race, winning trainer, Willie Mullins commented, “Paul Townend was super on him, the horse wasn't giving him a lot of help. We saw last year in the Irish Grand National we had supreme confidence in the horse that he had a bit in the tank. He was biding his time and he delivered.
"I didn't say anything until the last fence but then I let go. I love it, I'm buzzing, it's huge. As far as I know all of our team are back in good order so I'm very happy with that."
Winning jockey, Paul Townend added, “What an unbelievable race and an unbelievable horse. It is a bit surreal, to be honest.
"I ended up being first to the first and got to the Melling Road and he backed back.
"He got careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve energy. I didn’t get the clearest run between the second-last and last. I had the ones in front of me in my sights and he responded like I thought he would.”
Townend added, "Gold Cups and Grade Ones are special but Grand Nationals are different. You need so much luck. I am a lucky boy."
I Am Maximum was immediately installed as the favourite for next year’s Grand National, putting him at the centre of the horse racing betting markets. Unibet have priced I Am Maximus at 16/1 ahead of Corbetts Cross, Intense Raffles and Inothewayurthinking.
2025 Grand National Odds
| Odds | |
|---|---|
| I Am Maximus | 16/1 |
| Corbetts Cross, Intense Raffles, Inothewayurthinkin | 20/1 |
| Monty's Star, Meetingofthewaters | 25/1 |
| Kitty's Light, The Shunter, Corach Rambler, Minella Indo, Delta Work, Galvin, Chianti Classico, Sandor Clegane, Gerri Colombe, Its On The Line, Embassy Gardens, Threeunderthrufive, Fastorslow, James du Berlais | 33/1 |
