Reporter: Andy Gibson
I thought it interesting that 10 of the first 12 horses to finish were trained in Ireland. Although the Grand National is no longer everyone’s cup of tea, the winning performance from Willie Mullins-trained ten-year-old I Am Maximus will be long remembered. His record in the last three nationals puts him right at the top of previous national horses aside from possibly the most famous of all. He is young enough to come back again in 2027 and presumably his campaign through the season will be all about getting him in the best possible shape for one day in early April 2027.
His success did not appear obvious jumping the third last fence when Jordans shot clear of the field. I Am Maximus was under a heavy drive and did not seem likely to make up the ground. This all changed after the final fence and on the run to the elbow. From the elbow to the line he took control of the race to draw clear and win with plenty of authority for an exceptional weight carrying performance.
This was a step up on his fourth-place finish from 2025 and, as an eight-year-old, his connections have every right to think he may go one better in the next two or three renewals. He was short of room in the latter stages of the race and did well to find his way through into the runner-up spot.
It is difficult to know with any certainty; however, I would guess that the majority of punters and pundits watching will feel that Ben Jones rode his horse too aggressively from the third last fence. This left him with nothing more to give from the elbow to the winning post. The alternative view might be that he finished third due to the very positive ride he was given by his excellent jockey. Either way, this was a very good performance and one that this seven-year-old can hopefully improve upon in the coming years.
He was just half a length short of providing his owner with an amazing one, two, three in the 2026 Grand National. This was still an incredible achievement despite the same owner also having three horses in the race that all failed to finish. He has a lot of ability and has now begun to show that in races where plenty of stamina is required.
He showed improved form when stepped up to three and a half miles plus before finishing third to Resplendent Grey in the 2025 bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase. He improved again on this first try over a distance beyond four miles. He seems to be one to mark up when competing in one or two of the long-distance chases next season. His previous form on soft and heavy ground might tend one towards the Welsh National in late December.
