Willie Mullins maintains Aintree domination with Grand National success
It's the third year on the trot that the Kilkenny trainer has won the big race
Iam Maximus regained his Aintree Grand National crown when running out a stunning winner of the big race in Merseyside on Saturday afternoon.
Despite carrying top-weight and not jumping fluently, the JP McManus owned 10-year old powered home under the guidance of Paul Townend to give Willie Mullins his fourth win in the race and a third on the trot after Iam Maximus and Nick Rockett both won in 2024 and 2025.
The winner will now go down as a modern Grand National legend as it's the first time a horse has regained the title since Red Rum back in the 1970's and he becomes the first dual winner since Tiger Roll a couple of years ago.
It proved to be a mixed race for the Mullins team after Willie saw his son Patrick fall at the first aboard Grangeclare West while Spanish Harlem, Lecky Watson, Captain Cody, Quai De Bourbon also failed to complete.
The champion trainers other finishers saw High Class Hero just outside the places in fifth position and nephew Danny come home with Champ Kiely in eight spot.
There was also local interest outside Willie Mullins after Kilkenny based trainer Joseph O'Brien briefly flirted with a sensational victory.
Jordans came around the home turn in front of the big race but with jockey Ben Jones going for home a long way out, he ran out of steam and finished in third place in the end with Iam Maximus and Iroko overtaking the 28-1 in the closing stages.