Grand National 2024 – I Am Maximus storms to victory in Aintree showpiece

After a brief hiatus last year the Irish again dominated the 2024 Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse as I Am Maximus (7-1 joint favourite) stormed to victory.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old – who had won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last year – completed the double when scoring superbly by seven-and-a-half lengths, under jockey Paul Townend, from Gordon Elliott's Delta Work (28-1) with 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo (28-1) a gallant third, under Rachael Blackmore, half-a-length back. Elliott's Galvin (40-1) was a further neck back in fourth, with the Welsh trainer Christian Williams' Kitty's Light (12-1) a length-and-three-quarters back in fifth and the British-trained horse to finish.

Last year's winner, the Lucinda Russell-trained Corach Rambler (7-1 joint favourite), unseated his rider Derek Fox at the first fence as only two horses trained in Britain – Dan Skelton's Galia Des Liteaux seventh – in the first 10 home out of an incredible 21 finishers of the 32-strong field.

It was a continuation of Ireland's domination, well County Carlow handler Mullins in particular, of the biggest races in Britian as the master of Closutton won his second Grand National 19 years on from his first with Trevor Hemmings' Hedgehunter in 2005. Powerful Irish owner JP McManus – who won the National previously with Don't Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021) – joined Hemmings on three victories in the Aintree showpiece and joins James Machell (Disturbance 1873, Reugny 1874 and Regal 1876), Sir Charles Assheton-Smith, previously Charles Duff, (Cloister 1893, Jerry M 1912 and Covertcoat 1913), Noel Le Mare (Red Rum 1973, 1974 and 1977), Hemmings (Hedgehunter 2005, Ballabriggs 2011 and Many Clouds