I Am Maximus won the 2024 Grand National at Aintree in a topsy-turvy race where a winner couldn’t be called until the final straight. The 2023 champion Corach Rambler unseated jockey Derek Fox at the first fence which opened up the field for the rest of the riders.
Glengouly set the early pace fighting for the front with Foxy Jacks as the experienced jockeys looked to position themselves in the middle of the pack. Kitty’s Light moved up to third with Latenightpass and Galia Des Liteaux making charges towards the front of the field.
Rachael Blackmore’s Minella Indo and Jack Kennedy’s Delta Work - both 28/1- battled for the lead as Paul Townend and I Am Maximus kicked on.
Blackmore leapt the last slightly ahead but didn’t have the staying power, as I Am Maximus swept past and stormed to the finish line to win with ease – handing trainer Willie Mullins his second Grand National victory after Hedgehunter in 2005.
Follow along with our blog below for all the reaction from Aintree:
Grand National betting guide: Every horse rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece
25. Limerick Lace (Trainer: Gavin Cromwell) 7/10
One of the class acts in the race and one the handicapper would like to give another 6lb to if he had his time again based on her Cheltenham win. That was over two and a half miles, though, and was seemingly outstayed when second in the Troytown.
Has one big handicap to his name already this season when winning at Leopardstown over Christmas but that was off a low mark. Only third at Cheltenham off his new one and this is tougher still but shapes like a stayer.
27. The Goffer (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) 5/10
His season was built around a second crack at the Ultima and while he ran a very respectable race to finish fifth, was ultimately beaten a long way and looks in the grip of the handicapper.
28. Roi Mage (Trainer: Patrick Griffin) 5/10
Ran a stormer at big odds last year when still in with a chance at the second-last but ultimately failed to see out the trip. Seems to have retained all of his ability despite being 12 but difficult to see him finishing much closer.
29. Glengouly (Trainer: Willie Mullins) 4/10
Second in two big handicaps already this season but disappointed at Cheltenham and still only has one win over fences to his name. With stamina doubts thrown in, the stable has much better chances elsewhere.
Luke Baker13 April 2024 12:17
Grand National betting guide: Every horse rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece
21. Minella Crooner (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) 4/10
Bits and pieces of form that would make him interesting but you would need to be a forgiving type now based on his last two efforts.
There will be worse outsiders than this one. Second in Grades Ones as a novice, he had struggled in handicaps earlier in the season before being stepped up in trip which he saw out well last time out. The better the ground the better his chance.
23. Mac Tottie (Trainer: Peter Bowen) 4/10
Absolutely loves it here and has two wins over the National course to his name. However, he has another circuit to contend with this time and it is likely he will be running on fumes by the Melling Road.
24. Chemical Energy (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) 7/10
Based on his second in the National Hunt Chase last season you would give him a chance but since then he has only run twice and one of those saw him pulled up in the Irish National. Not disgraced on sole start this season. Dark horse.
Luke Baker13 April 2024 12:07
Grand National betting guide: Every horse rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece
17. Vanillier (Trainer: Gavin Cromwell) 7/10
Second last year when ridden like connections thought he was a handicap good thing. In any other year the way he finished proved he probably was, unfortunately for them Corach Rambler was in the race. That may have been his best chance as he was easily brushed aside by I Am Maximus recently.
18. Mr Incredible (Trainer: Willie Mullins) 6/10
Mercurial and talented enough to play a part but will he take the atmosphere, big field and unique challenge for a second time? If we knew he’d probably be half the price. Was going well enough last year when his saddle slipped but horses like him tend to only do different things once.
19. Run Wild Fred (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) - HORSE WITHDRAWN FROM RACE
20. Latenightpass (Trainer: Tom Ellis) 5/10
Has won over the fences before but at a much lower level. Trainer has taken out a professional licence so he can run in his name but this 11-year-old looks on a stiff enough mark.
Mike Jones13 April 2024 11:57
Grand National betting guide: Every horse rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece
13. Galvin (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) 6/10
Still only 10 but seems to have been around forever. Another who has been down the Cross Country Chase route, he has been a Grade One contender in his youth. Came down at the first last year. Difficult to know what ability remains and likes a sound surface.
14. Farouk D’Alene (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) 4/10
A classy novice in the 2021-22 season, he had over 600 days off before returning in November. Ran well over hurdles at Christmas but pulled up at Cheltenham, also over hurdles. Hard to make a case for him.
15. Eldorado Allen (Trainer: Joe Tizzard) 4/10
Has been a great servant to connections winning three Grade Twos, but just comes up short against the best. Fourth in the Coral Gold Cup but is carrying 3lb more than he should be such is his regression.
16. Aint’ That A Shame (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead) 6/10
Won one of Ireland’s most competitive handicaps last time out. Subsequently bought by owner David Maxwell, who also rides his own horses. Amateur jockeys have won the National before but the affable Maxwell will need everything to go right.
Luke Baker13 April 2024 11:47
Grand National betting guide: Every horse rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece
9. Stattler (Trainer: Willie Mullins) 5/10
Another seemingly on the downgrade who has had his sights lowered somewhat this season. At his peak a very useful performer and was second in the Irish Gold Cup last February. More chance than most of seeing out the trip given his win in the National Hunt Chase as a novice. No fan of soft ground.
10. Mahler Mission (Trainer: John McConnell) 10/10
If ever a horse looked suited to Aintree this is it. Has a touch of class, still in front when falling two out in last year’s National Hunt Chase, and his prominent running style will keep him out of trouble. Second in the Coral Gold Cup when last seen, the only slight negative is his yard has been short on winners this season.
11. Delta Work (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) 6/10
Another who had the Cross Country as his main aim having won it last year and was in the process of going well in this afterwards only to part company with his jockey on the second circuit. Third in this the year before, it is rare for a horse to win at the third attempt.
12. Foxy Jacks (Trainer: Mouse Morris) 6/10
Has been rejuvenated this season, winning the Midlands National at Kilbeggan and a Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in November. Comes here fresh after a good run over hurdles but looks on a very harsh mark.
Luke Baker13 April 2024 11:37
Grand National betting guide: Every horse rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece
5. I Am Maximus (Trainer: Willie Mullins) 8/10
Winner of last year’s Irish National, he was briefly favourite following an easy win in the Bobbyjo Chase. There is no doubting his stamina but he has more than once had his resolution called into question. Has his own way of jumping but if he takes to the task, hard not to see him being involved.
6. Minella Indo (Trainer: Henry de Bromhead) 6/10
Has been an incredible horse for connections, winning the Albert Bartlett and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Not the force of old, though, and his whole season was being built around the Cross Country at Cheltenham, which was abandoned. Hard to fancy strongly.
7. Corach Rambler (Trainer: Lucinda Russell) 9/10
Last year’s winner arrives off the back of a career-best display when third in the Gold Cup. The only slight negative is just how hard a race he had there. It is one thing finishing off strongly against handicappers, quite another trying to reel in Galopin Des Champs. Still likely to play a part, however.
8. Janidil (Trainer: Willie Mullins) 3/10
Has been a very good horse on his day but they tended to be over trips at around two and two and a half miles. Well beaten in his last two races and hard to see why connections think four and a quarter miles will bring out improvement.
Luke Baker13 April 2024 11:27
Grand National betting guide: Every horse rated and ranked for the Aintree showpiece
1. Noble Yeats (Trainer: Emmet Mullins) 7/10
Already in National folklore after his 50-1 win under an amateur jockey when still a novice two years ago. He came up short when taking on the best chasers in the Gold Cup last year. Fourth off a 1lb higher mark than this last season, minor honours beckon again.
2. Nassalam (Trainer: Gary Moore) 7/10
There would be few more popular winners than him and he is in far from fairytale realms having already won the Welsh National. Handicapper has taken a firm grip by putting him up 16lb, but while he had his limitations exposed in the Gold Cup, there is every chance he will have the ground in which he thrives.
3. Coko Beach (Trainer: Gordon Elliott) 7/10
Represents the Tiger Roll team and this nine-year-old could be their best hope. Second in the Becher Chase and ran too free in this last year. There might just be a couple with more improvement but he will love the ground.
4. Capodanno (Trainer: Willie Mullins) 8/10
One of the classier runners in this year’s renewal. Was eventually pulled up before the final fence 12 months ago but that does not tell the whole story as he travelled strongly throughout. If he settles better this year should take a hand in the finish.
Luke Baker13 April 2024 11:17
What time does the race begin and how can I watch?
The Grand National takes place on Saturday 13 April at 4pm BST, having been brought forward from 5.15pm after controversy in the 2023 edition.
The race will be shown live on ITV1 as well as Racing TV. The race can also be streamed live on ITVX.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Luke Baker13 April 2024 11:03
Grand National 2024
Aintree is looking great this morning
(REUTERS)
(David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA Wire)
(David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA Wire)
(David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA Wire)
Luke Baker13 April 2024 10:51
Chambard withdraws on morning of the race
There has been a late pull-out from today’s Grand National, with 66/1 outsider Chambard - trained by Venetia Williams and set to be ridden by Lucy Turner has pulled up lame.
The news came as Aintree confirmed the ground is soft, good to soft in places after a dry night at the course. Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: “It was dry overnight and it’s good to soft, soft in places on the Mildmay courses and soft, good to soft in places on the National course. The forecast suggests there could be showers around from mid-morning.”
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