Early bettors on the (non-listed) Grand National Handicap Steeplechase see I Am Maximus as the favorite to repeat in the traditional about 4.3-mile test over hurdles April 5 at Aintree, and the wagering pace picked up after his trainer, Willie Mullins, delivered a successful day April 3.
Successful in the Grand National a year ago, 9-year-old gelding I Am Maximus was 9-1 to repeat the feat when declarations were made at 10 a.m. (local time) Thursday for the £1 million (approx. US$1.29 million) marathon but ended the day the 6-1 favorite after Mullins captured steeplechase grade 1s at Aintree with Impaire Et Passe, Murcia, Gaelic Warrior, and Lossiemouth.
I Am Maximus will be attempting to emulate Tiger Roll, who won back-to-back editions of the Grand National in 2018-19, and will again be partnered by Mullins' stable jockey Paul Townend. The Grand National is scheduled for 4 p.m. (local time, 11 a.m. ET) Saturday.
Riding arrangements were also finalized for Mullins' five other Grand National declarations with Danny Mullins riding Meetingofthewaters, Brian Hayes on Grangeclare West, Patrick Mullins on Nick Rockett, Sean O'Keeffe on Appreciate It, and Jonathan Burke on Minella Cocooner.
There were no changes to the final field, capped at 34 runners, with Duffle Coat taking the last slot. Four reserves have been nominated—Shakem Up'Arry, Roi Mage, Favori De Champdou, and Fantastic Lady—with the deadline for non-runners to be replaced by these horses set at 1 p.m. local time Friday.
In February I Am Maximus was assigned top weight of 166 pounds for this year's race; up 9 pounds from last year. Despite that assignment, two-time Grand National winner Mullins was optimistic.
“It was huge to win it last year for the second time. I felt very spoiled winning a second Grand National," Mullins said. "It’s top weight and it’s tough but we had an idea that it would be tough.
"He likes the track. Sometimes when horses go back a second time they don’t like it and we’ve got all that to take into account. Horses go around it once and the second time it can be different, but he had a good experience last year and I’m hoping that it won’t be a problem."
I Am Maximus will be one of five Grand National contenders for JP McManus, who is seeking a record-breaking fourth win in the traditional race. Iroko, Meetingofthewaters, Chantry House, and Perceval Legallois complete his team.
Perceval Legallois will be one of three runners for Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell, alongside Stumptown and 2023 runner-up Vanillier.
Hewick, who will be partnered by Gavin Sheehan for the first time since they won the 2023 King George VI Chase (NH-1), and last year's Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles will also be among the 18 horses trained in Ireland.
Dan Skelton, who is leading Britain's trainers' championship, is not represented in the Grand National, but one of his main title rivals Paul Nicholls, winner of the race in 2012 with Neptune Collonges, and Nicky Henderson are involved.
Nicholls has a team of five, headlined by Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid, the mount of champion jockey Harry Cobden, with Stay Away Fay, Hitman, Threeunderthrufive, and Bravemansgame completing his squad as he seeks a second Grand National success.
