I Am Maximus heads the utmost discipline of 34 declared runners as he makes an attempt to emulate Crimson Rum in Saturday’s Randox Grand Nationwide.
No horse since Ginger McCain’s Aintree legend has received the world’s most well-known steeplechase, misplaced the title after which regained it. Crimson Rum received in 1973 and 1974 and was second in 1975 and 1976 earlier than bringing the home down with a 3rd victory in 1977.
Willie Mullins’ I Am Maximus – who can be sporting cheekpieces for simply the second time, the primary being again in December 2022 – received two years in the past within the fingers of Paul Townend and located solely stablemate Nick Rockett too good in 2025 when aiming to be the primary twin winner since Tiger Roll.
In addition to the previous two winners, Mullins additionally runs Grangeclare West, who was third final yr, Spanish Harlem, owned by Dr Peter Fitzgerald, founder and proprietor of the sponsors Randox, Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, Excessive Class Hero, Captain Cody and Quai De Bourbon.
The Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs is one other aiming for a slice of historical past as no horse has received the Welsh and Irish Nationals in addition to the Aintree model, whereas Banbridge, Gerri Colombe, Firefox, Monty’s Star and Oscars Brother improve Eire’s historically robust hand.
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero have two massive possibilities, with final yr’s fourth Iroko joined by stablemate Jagwar. Like I Am Maximus, each are owned by JP McManus, who additionally has Cheltenham Pageant winner Johnnywho on his UK-trained staff.
Ben Pauling’s Twig completed tenth final yr and Becher Chase success over the fences earlier this season has reignited the Nationwide dream for his connections, who picked him up for £100. He can be ridden by the proprietor’s 21-year-old son, Beau Morgan.
“He ran well in the race last year when he was ridden to come home well, but I don’t think the plan was to be quite so far back,” stated Pauling.
“He acts on the track, he obviously enjoys it there having won the Becher and if we can get him into a rhythm closer to the pace, as it’s much harder these days to come from off the pace, that would be better.
“If he can journey within the first half of the sphere on the primary circuit and simply maintain our personal on the second circuit, as we all know he stays very effectively, then we’ll see if we are able to beat final yr’s end result. Something inside the highest 10 and we would be thrilled, anything is a bonus.
“He isn’t thrown in or something like that however he is acquired his floor and he likes the fences so I would not be shocked if he is there with a shout two out, after there we’ll see.
“He’s very much a fairytale National story, he cost next to nothing, he’s ridden by the son of the owner, but we’ll see if we have a fairytale result.”
There have been no withdrawals on the 72-hour declaration stage, though Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower can also be declared to run in Thursday’s Racing Welfare Bowl Chase. Ought to that be the case, Pied Piper, who’s the primary of six reserves, could be quantity 34 and line up as a sixth runner within the race for Gordon Elliott.
Within the occasion of a non-runner, the deadline for reserves to make the ultimate discipline is 1pm on Friday.
Grand Nationwide runners
1. I Am Maximus
2. Nick Rockett
3. Banbridge
4. Grangeclare West
5. Gerri Colombe
6. Haiti Couleurs
7. Spillane’s Tower
8. Firefox
9. Monty’s Star
10. Spanish Harlem
11. Lecky Watson
12. Champ Kiely
13. Iroko
14. Favori De Champdou
15. Three Card Brag
16. Oscars Brother
17. Mr Vango
18. Excessive Class Hero
19. Stellar Story
20. Beauport
21. Captain Cody
22. Jagwar
23. Perceval Legallois
24. Attractive Tom
25. The Actual Whacker
26. Quai De Bourbon
27. Reply To Kayf
28. Jordans
29. Last Orders
30. Marble Sands
31. Panic Assault
32. Prime Of The Invoice
33. Johnnywho
34. Twig
