I Am Maximus Wins Grand National, First Repeat Since 1977

I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins, won the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday afternoon, becoming the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to reclaim the title after a previous victory. The nine-year-old, owned by JP McManus, triumphed by two and a half lengths over 34 runners in the four-mile, two-and-a-half-furlong steeplechase, which featured 30 fences and started at 4 p.m.

The race unfolded with several early dramas that thinned the field. At the first fence, Grangeclare West unseated Patrick Mullins, while Quai de Bourbon fell at the second and Panic Attack was unseated at the third. Further casualties included Mr Vango falling at the sixth, Gerri Colombe unseated at the seventh, and multiple horses pulling up or being unseated later, such as The Real Whacker at the 13th, Oscars Brother and Banbridge at the 15th, Marble Sands at the 18th, Stellar Story, Jagwar, and Beauport at the 19th, and Top of the Bill at the 30th. In total, 16 horses completed the course, with jockey Robbie Dunne knocked unconscious after a fall from Stellar Story and two others, Top of the Bill and Quai de Bourbon, requiring veterinary attention...