I Am Maximus lands gamble for all-conquering Mullins in Grand National

Irish trainer Willie Mullins continued his domination of jump racing, sending out the well-backed 7-1 joint-favourite I Am Maximus to win the Grand National at Aintree.

After the well-publicised changes to the race there were a host of runners in with a chance at the final fence and Rachael Blackmore led after that obstacle on Minella Indo in an attempt to win the race a second time, but she was swamped in the closing stages with the winner kicking on for a clear success from the fast-finishing Delta Work.

Mullins was responsible for eight of the 32 who headed to post this year, but I Am Maximus was well-touted to follow up last year’s success in the Irish Grand National. An impressive tune-up in the Bobbyjo Chase saw punters latch onto the Grade One-winning eight-year-old and he was well supported in the weeks before the event.

The handler, who now could well add the British trainers’ title to his inevitable Irish one, was winning the race for a second time after sending out Hedgehunter in 2005 but it was a first Aintree victory for the winning rider Townend.

Townend said: “That was an unbelievable race and I was on an unbelievable horse. I didn’t get off to a great staart and he got a little careful on the second circuit but I had a feeling when I got him out [of trouble] that he was going to motor away.

“Gold Cups are Gold Cups but Grand Nationals are just a bit different. I can’t believe it – I am a lucky boy.”

Last year’s winner Corach Rambler, the other joint-favourite, unseated his rider Derek Fox at the very first fence.