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I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, has won the Grand National - Owen Humphreys/PA
I Am Maximus became the first horse since Red Rum to regain his crown in the Randox Grand National, as Willie Mullins also became the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to win three successive editions of the Aintree spectacular.
In a race with plenty of early drama that saw last year’s third Grangeclare West part company with Patrick Mullins – who won last year aboard Nick Rockett – at the first, and Panic Attack fall at the third, I Am Maximus tracked the inside path he knows so well in the hands of Paul Townend.
As the race began to develop, Ben Jones made a bold bid to supplement his King George win on The Jukebox Man aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans after two out – but a JP McManus-owned challenge was looming and it was the heavily-backed 9-2 favourite who stormed home best from the elbow to win the race for a second time, having also finished second 12 months ago.
It was a record fourth win in the race for McManus, who also saw his Iroko go two places better than last year for second – another first in the race for one owner to have the first two home. Jordans was third, with Johnnywho fourth.
Full report to follow...
05:28pm
Willie Mullins speaking to BBC about motivation
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Willie Mullins matched the great Vincent O’Brien - Peter Cziborra/Reuters
05:15pm
Latest news on medical assessments
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Three Grand National runners are undergoing assessments form medics, the Jockey Club confirmed later.
Top of The Bill was pulled up in the home straight and was assessed on course. He was walked back to the stables where he will remain under assessment.
Quai De Bourbon, meanwhile walked onto the horse ambulance, having been assessed, following his fall at the second fence and has returned to the stables for further assessment.
Mr Vango also walked onto the horse ambulance following his fall at the sixth fence, having been assessed, and has returned to the stables for further assessment. Jockey Robbie Dunne was assessed on course by the medical team. He is conscious and talking and is being taken to hospital for further assessment.
All remaining horses and riders are accounted for.
05:09pm
Result from the last race of the day
- Forthfactor 10/1
- Look Me 10/3
- Melin Allen 16/1
04:46pm
One punter scoops £800k
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Bruising day for the lads at Fitzwilliam who took a £100,000 single bet at 8/1 on I Am Maximus. Interview with the bookies later on Telegraph Sport.
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Fitzwilliam bookmakers laid a bet to lose £800k - Tom Morgan
04:45pm
Willie Mullins speaking
04:35pm
Winning jockey Paul Townend speaking
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Paul Townend was patient on I Am Maximus - Owen Humphreys/PA
04:33pm
Grand National result in full
- I Am Maximus
- Iroko
- Jordans
- Johnnywho
- High Class Hero
- Favori De Champdou
- Final Orders
- Champ Kiely
- Three Card Brag
- Monty’s Star
- Answer To Kayf
- Gorgeous Tom
- Imperial Saint
- Haiti Couleurs
- Twig
- Firefox
Fell, unseated rider or pulled up
Banbridge (unseated rider)
Grangeclare West (unseated rider)
Gerri Colombe (fell)
Spanish Harlem (pulled up)
Lecky Watson (pulled up)
Oscar’s Brother (fell)
Mr Vango (fell)
Stellar Story (fell)
Beauport (unseated rider)
Captain Cody (unseated rider)
Jagwar (unseated rider)
Perceval Legallois (unseated rider)
The Real Whacker (pulled up)
Quai De Bourbon (fell)
Marble Sands (fell)
Panic Attack (fell)
Top Of The Bill (fell)
Amirite (pulled up)
04:28pm
Some latest on the non-finishers
Top Of The Bill is being assessed on course after falling.
Quai De Bourbon, also a faller, has walked onto an ambulance for further assessment.
04:13pm
I Am Maximus wins the Grand National!
The first horse to regain the crown since Red Rum, and like Red Rum against Crisp he made up plenty of ground from the back of the last.
I Am Maximus took a while to warm to his task, but his staying power was on full display there.
It was just too far to go from the elbow for Jordans, who ran a cracker but tired. Iroko stayed well for second, with Johnnywho fourth.
McManus has three of the first four home.
- I Am Maximus 9/2F
- Iroko 18/1
- Jordans 28/1
- Johnnywho 12/1
- High Class Hero 66/1
04:10pm
At the second last fence
Three Card Brag and Jordans now the first two, the loose horses are causing problems.
Jordans is stretching away now from Monty’s Star.
04:10pm
Fence 27 of 30
Monty’s Star going well on the inside, with Imperial Saint and Top of the Bill also disputing the lead.
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I Am Maximus (white cap) jumping the third last - Peter Powell/Getty Images
04:09pm
Fence 23 of 30
Lecky Watson is struggling to keep up with the gallop at the rear of the smaller food.
At the Canal Turn, I Am Maximum makes a mistake. Captain Cody making progress.
04:08pm
Fence 20 of 30
Jagwar and Beauport are fallers.
04:08pm
Fence 18 of 30
Around 25 horses are still standing, Imperial Saint disputing the lead with Amirite, who was hampered by a loose horse. I Am Maximus plotting a route on the inside.
04:07pm
At the halfway mark
The Real Whacker has been pulled up. Top of the Bill is part of the leading group, second behind Amirite.
High Class Hero with a shuddering mistake at the Chair.
Banbridge a faller and also Oscar’s Brother.
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Oscar’s Brother unseats his rider Daniel King - Phil Noble/Reuters
04:06pm
Over the Melling Road
Amirite leads, in front of Twig, High Class Hero, Final Orders and Lecky Watson.
I Am Maximus the favourite in mid division.
04:05pm
Fence 11 of 30
Amirite still jumping well up front. All of the McManus chances are in midfield and still in play.
Jordans being ridden at the rear, and The Real Whacker also struggling.
04:04pm
Fence six of 30
Mr Vango a faller at Becher’s. Amirite the early leader followed by High Class Hero and Twig.
Gerri Colombe also unseated.
04:04pm
Panic Attack a faller
Disappointment for backers of the mare and the Skelton team, a faller at the third fence.
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Loudest groan I’ve ever heard behind me Derby Stand as Panic Attack fell at second.
04:03pm
First fence
Grangeclare West has unseated Paddy Mullins!
At the second fence, Quai De Bourbon is down.
04:03pm
They’re off in the 2026 Grand National!
The are all away as they run down to the first.
04:01pm
The start is going to need two takes
The field was waiting for the Real Whacker to join and they started going too fast. Plenty of money in the betting ring for I Am Maximus, who is into 5/1 on course now.
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Peter Cziborra/Reuters
03:56pm
The trumpets have sounded
The horses will be on their way down to most very shortly. It looks like I Am Maximus will be sent off favourite. Plenty of support too for Panic Attack.
03:51pm
A note on the McManus horses
Can be difficult to tell apart in the green and gold silks. Look for the cap colour:
- I Am Maximus (white cap)
- Jagwar (Green cap with white star)
- Johnnywho (blue cap)
- Iroko (green and gold cap)
- Oscars Brother (red cap)
- Perceval Legallois (yellow cap)
03:45pm
Paddy Mullins on his ride Grangleclare West
03:45pm
The horses are in the parade ring
It takes a while to walk them all around with 34 runners.
03:41pm
The top of the Grand National market
- I Am Maximus 8/1
- Jagwar 17/2
- Panic Attack and Grangeclare West 9/1
- Johnnywho 11/1
- Monty’s Star 12/1
- Oscars Brother & Iroko 18/1
- 20/1 or more the rest
03:29pm
A reminder of Marcus’ four picks
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Panic Attack 8/1
Even with £1m on offer in this race, Dan Skelton looks to have stopped Willie Mullins from winning a third title and can deliver the coup de grace by winning the National with Panic Attack who can become the first mare to win since Nickel Coin in 1951. She has been in terrific form all season. Appears to stay well (as she proved in the Coral Gold Cup) but still fast enough to win a Paddy Power, she looks thrown in off 10st 5lb.
Oscars Brother 14/1
Novice chaser for the two-horse yard of Connor King who would become the youngest-ever trainer of a National winner were he to triumph. Solid Grade Two performer in novice chases and was doing all his best work up the hill at the finish of the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, without having an unduly hard race in fourth, suggesting that this test will be right up his street.
Gerri Colombe 22/1
One time Gold Cup runner-up. Missed most of last season injured and brought back gradually by three-time National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott to finish second to Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo. Then had a confidence-boosting win last time. Two out of two in Grade One starts at Aintree – it’s amazing how often Mildmay course form works out in the National.
Twig 40/1
Trained for the race. Got a bit behind in last year’s edition, after taking a while to warm up, but in much better form this season, including beating Mr Vango in the Becher Chase in December. Probably not the class to win but knows his way around Aintree and could well stay on to land a few each-way bets at a good price.
03:20pm
The Grand National comes next
Around 40 minutes until the off, still time to use our runners and riders guide to make a selection.
03:15pm
Home By The Lee completes the Cheltenham-Aintree double!
What a stayer this Joseph O’Brien horse is, and once again he ploughed on better than the rest of them just like at Cheltenham. Impose Toi was a faller, but is back up now. Take No Chances was travelling well for the Skeltons but made an error at the last hurdle and Home By The Lee ran clear.
- Home By The Lee 5/1
- Take No Chances 18/1
- Honesty Policy 5/2F
03:09pm
A Skelton four-timer is on
03:08pm
They are off in the Liverpool Hurdle!
Home By The Lee, Stayers’ Hurdle winner at the Cheltenham Festival, is a 5/1 chance but Honesty Policy in the McManus colours is the favourite.
02:50pm
Grand National market
There has been money for I Am Maximus in the last hour, and the former winner is jostling for favouritism with Panic Attack.
02:43pm
Mr Hope Street wins the William Hill Handicap Chase
It turned into a duel between Mr Hope Street and Lookaway after early pace-setter Glengouly slipped back into the pack. But Harry Skelton, whose foot slipped out of iron at a crucial stage, did enough on Mr Hope Street to win by a nose. Another handicap success for the Skeltons.
- Mr Hope Street 4/1
- Lookaway 7/2F
- Konfusion 20/1
02:35pm
They are off in the 2.30
At the second time of asking, the 13 runners in this 3m 1f handicap chase are away.
02:30pm
Grand National free bets
02:23pm
Just over 90 minutes until the big race
The Grand National start time is 4pm.
02:07pm
Harry Skelton on Bossman Jack’s win
02:05pm
Result from the 1.55pm
- Bossman Jack 11/4J
- Soldier Reeves 15/2
- Ballyfad 11/4J
01:46pm
Another fatality at Aintree
Get On George.has been euthanised having been pulled up in the last race and then assessed by vets.
01:36pm
Winning jockey Gavin Sheehan on Wade Out’s victory
01:29pm
Wade Out wins the handicap hurdle!
A winner over fences earlier this season, Wade Out returns to hurdle in style. An 18/1 winner, travelled well through the race with headgear on. Eagle Fang was prominent throughout but finished a distant second, followed by Chart Topper. Bold Endeavour and Kaka’s cousin faded, while Hold The Serve and Sean Bowen simply had too much ground to make up.
A winner for Sir Alex Ferguson on Merseyside.
- Wade Out 18/1
- Eagle Fang 28/1
- Chart Topper 25/1
- Supremely West 7/1
01:22pm
They are off!
At the second of asking, the William Hill Handicap Hurdle is under way.
01:21pm
Another false start
A familiar sight if you watched the Cheltenham Festival. This could turn out to be a standing start.
01:19pm
Time for the second race of the day
A 22-runner handicap hurdle in which Hold the Serve is the 10-3 favourite. Supremely West, who hacked up at the Cheltenham Festival when well ahead of the handicapper, is third in the market at 15/2.
01:09pm
A home game for Coleen and Wayne Rooney
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Coleen and Wayne Rooney in attendance - Peter Byrne/PA
01:05pm
Mark Walsh on Jagwar’s National chances
12:51pm
Result from the first race.. and there has been an upset
- Mirabad 50/1
- Salvator Mundi 8/11F
- Be Aware 10/1
12:49pm
Graham Thorner, who won on Well To Do in 1972
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Marcus has found another National-winning jockey - Marcus Armytage
12:36pm
Courtesy of Marcus...
This is Lily Bradstock, who will be leading up her mother Sara’s Mr Vango in the National.
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Marcus Armytage
12:27pm
Some fun Grand National facts
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- This is the 178th running of the Grand National.
- Three sets of trainer/jockey siblings combinations bidding to become the first since 1884 to win the race – when Ted Wilson rode Voluptuary to victory, a horse trained by his brother William. The feat has only ever been achieved once. This year three will attempt it: the Skelton brothers with Panic Attack, King brothers with Oscar’s Brother and Twiston-Davies with Beauport.
- Only three different grey horses have won the Grand National a total of four times: The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver 1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012). Marble Sands is only grey in this year’s race.
- Only 13 winning mares in history, the last in 1951: Charity (1841), Miss Mowbray (1852), Anatis (1860), Jealousy (1861), Emblem (1863), Emblematic (1864), Casse Tete (1872), Empress (1880), Zoedone (1883), Frigate (1889), Shannon Lass (1902), Sheila’s Cottage (1948) and Nickel Coin (1951). Panic Attack is the only mare running.
- Only four jockeys currently riding have ever won the Grand National. There are only two riding today (Paul Townend and Patrick Mullins).
- Could a horse with a one word name win for the first time in 15 years (last was Ballabriggs in 2011)? Despite the first 10 winners of the Grand National only having a one word name, just five of the last 25 winners have had one word names. Nine horses with one word names run.
- Who can win the Will Hill Half A Mill bonus? Only the horse who cost £100 (Twig) can win it and land a total of £1m.
12:23pm
Grand National free bets
12:17pm
We are 30 minutes from the day’s first race
It is a two-mile novice chase, and Salvator Mundi for Willie Mullins is a shade of odds on. He beat Romeo Coolio over hurdles at Aintree last season, but has not beaten anything of note in his fledgling career over the bigger obstacles and was turned over at odds of 1/7 at Thurles earlier in the season. Gordon Elliott’s Kala Conti in the Robcour colours would appear his main rival.
12:12pm
One protester is in position early
It is not unusual for animal rights protesters to campaign at the entrance to the racecourse before the Grand National.
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A horse died after winning a race at Aintree on Friday - Adam Vaughan/Shutterstock
12:01pm
Some of the famous fences
This race is perhaps the only one in the world to have fences that have as big a reputation as the horses running.
Becher’s Brook
Undoubtedly the most famous is Becher’s Brook, the sixth and 22nd fence of the race. The fence itself is not the biggest on the course, but the landing area is between five and 10 inches lower (depending on where it is jumped) than the take-off side, making it a challenging landing for horses. The fence itself has undergone major changes over the years in order to make it safer.
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Even after safety changes, Becher’s Brook presents a stern test of horse and jockey - Reuters/Nigel Roddis
The Chair
This is the biggest fence on the course. Not only does it stand at 5ft 2in but also features a 6ft-wide ditch in front of it. The landing side is six inches higher than the take-off side, creating the opposite effect to Becher’s Brook.
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The Chair is the biggest fence on the Grand National course - Paul Grover
The Canal Turn
Another famous fence, known best for the 90-degree turn horses have to make after the landing. The fence itself is fairly fearsome, standing at 5ft.
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Horses must take a 90-degree turn after jumping the Canal Turn - Getty Images/Laurence Griffiths
11:54am
107 broken bones, seven Grand National attempts and some fake X-rays
What a story this is. You can read it in full here, with Marcus Armytage hailing a Grand National hero.
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The 8th Duke Of Alburquerque - Douglas Hess/Shutterstock
11:40am
Red Rum’s grave is at the racecourse
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Marcus paid a visit to the grave of Red Rum - Marcus Armytage
11:34am
Team Telegraph Sport at the Chair
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Marcus Armytage and Tom Morgan in front of one of the course’s famous fences - Marcus Armytage
11:26am
Walking the course
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Perfect conditions at Aintree today for the big one. Here’s our very own Marcus Armytage walking the course this morning.
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Our National-winning correspondent walks the track (2nd from right) - Tom Morgan
11:13am
Why Marcus is backing Panic Attack
11:13am
Crowds building an Aintree now
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Owen Humphreys/PA
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Racegoers queue up for some ammunition - Peter Powell/Getty Images
10:45am
Bookmakers price up the big race
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Panic Attack is now jostling for favouritism - PA/Mike Egerton
10:37am
The £100 horse who could win the National
A horse bought for £100 to run in point-to-point races will line up in the Grand National with a £500,000 prize on offer. Find out more about Twig here, who is trained at Ben Pauling’s upwardly mobile yard and ridden by Beau Morgan. Widely available at 50/1, Twig could represent some each-way value.
10:34am
Security in place at Aintree
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Police officers stand guard at the racecourse - Phil Noble/Reuters
10:19am
Our racing experts’ Grand National tips
Marcus Armytage
- Panic Attack
- Oscars Brother
- Gerri Colombe
- Twig
Marlborough
- Oscars Brother
- Iroko
- Captain Cody
- Grangeclare West
Charlie Brooks
- Firefox
- Oscar’s Brother
- Iroko
- Spanish Harlem
10:18am
Too big for its own good?
There is no doubt that the Grand National attracts classier, Gold Cup-style horses these days but does that make for a worse spectacle? Charlie Brooks believes so, writing that the trend punctures the romanticism of the race which was built on underdog stories from small yards and the belief that any horse could one day contend. Read his column and ideas for reform here.
10:12am
Ginger McCain’s grandson goes for glory
The name Ginger McCain is synonymous with the Grand National, the man who trained three-time winner Red Rum on the beaches of Southport. Now his grandson, Toby McCain-Mitchell, will be in the saddle in the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Top Of The Bill for the big race this afternoon. You can read more about the dynasty here.
10:02am
Marcus Armytage’s 10 greatest Grand Nationals
09:57am
Does JP McManus have the Grand National covered?
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Grand National day at Aintree, with 34 runners going to post for the world’s most famous steeplechase.
With less punishing obstacles and a field full of contenders with Grade One form, the race’s complexion has changed over the last few decades but interest levels remain as high as ever.
There is nowhere else to start than with JP McManus’ green-and-gold battalion; the Irish owner accounts for four of the top six horses in the betting market.
I Am Maximus evidently has the class and course form having finished first and second in each of the last two Nationals, with Willie Mullins’ top jockey Paul Townend on board. However, he carries top weight which could prove difficult to overcome in a field with such depth.
Punters have followed Jagwar over cliffs, he is a horse with so much ability but a horrible habit of finishing second, notably to fellow McManus horse Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. Iroko finished in midfield in that race, but has long been considered a National plot after running on to finish fourth last year.
Speaking of plots, the Skelton team commands respect in these blue-chip handicaps and their chance is Panic Attack, tipped by our very own Marcus Armytage to become the first mare to win the race in 75 years. Dinoblue had too much speed for her in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham, but Panic Attack is back in handicap company today after successes in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup earlier in the season.
Bobbyjo winner Grangeclare West is another serious player for Mullins with son Paddy in the saddle, while Monty’s Star for Henry De Bromhead has a Gold Cup fourth on his CV and can be relied on to run his race
Before the main event, there are three Grade Ones on the card: Salvator Mundi is a short price for the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase, there is the middle distance Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle followed by the Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle for the older stayers.
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