Tag Archive for: I Am Maximus

2025 Irish Grand National Trends

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Staged at Fairyhouse racecourse the 2024 Irish Grand National is run over a trip of 3m5f with 24 fences to be jumped.

The gruelling contest is always staged on Easter Monday, which this year falls on 21st April 2025. While several Irish Grand National winners have also won the Aintree Grand National, but none in the same season – I Am Maximus, Bobbyjo and Numbersixvalverde are recent examples of this.

Regarding the stats - did you know?

The 18 of the last 21 winners carried 10-13 or less in weight, while 16 of the last 21 successful horses were Irish-bred. We’ve also seen just three winning favourites in the last 21 renewals, while in 2021 we saw a 150/1 winner of the race - FREEWHEELIN DYLAN - and 11 of the last 21 returned 20/1+. To prove any horse really can win this National.

I Am Maximus gave Willie Mullins just his second win in the race but also provided Paul Townend with his first. As mentioned he went onto win the Aintree Grand National the following season.

In 2024 Intense Raffles won the Irish National, but despite being well-fancied for the Aintree National was pulled up.

Recent Irish Grand National Winners

2024 - INTENSE RAFFLES (13/2)
2023 – I AM MAXIMUS (8/1)
2022 – LORD LARIAT (40/1)
2021 - FREEWHEELIN DYLAN (150/1)
2020 - No Race (Covid)
2019 – BURROWS SAINT (6/1 fav)
2018 - GENERAL PRINCIPLE (20/1)
2017 – OUR DUKE (9/2 fav)
2016 – ROGUE ANGEL (16/1)
2015 – THUNDER AND ROSES (20/1)
2014 – SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (8/1 fav)
2013 – LIBERTY COUNSEL (50/1)
2012 – LION NA BEARNAI (33/1)
2011 – ORGANISEDCONFUSION (12/1)
2010 – BLUESEA CRACKER (25/1)
2009 – NICHE MARKET (33/1)
2008 – HEAR THE ECHO (33/1)
2007 – BUTLER’S CABIN (14/1)
2006 – POINT BARROW (20/1)
2005 – NUMBERSIXVALVERDE (9/1)
2004 – GRANIT D’ESTRUVAL (33/1)
2003 – TIMBERA (11/1)

Irish Grand National Betting Trends

19/21 – Won over at least 3m previously
19/21 – Winning distance – 5 lengths or less
18/21 – Carried 10-13 or LESS
18/21 – Had raced within the last 8 weeks
18/21 – Aged 9 or younger
17/21 – Won by an Irish-based trainer
16/21 – Irish bred
16/21 – Carried 10-8 or LESS
16/21 – Came from outside the top 3 in the betting
15/21 – Returned a double-figure (or triple-figure) price
14/21 – Had raced at Fairyhouse previously
13/21 – Carried 10-6 or LESS
13/21 – Unplaced favourites
12/21 – Finished fourth or better last time out
11/21 – Had raced within the last 4 weeks
10/21 – Rated between 130-137
4/21 – Won by an English-based trainer
4/21 – Won last time out
3/21 – Ran at Navan last time out
3/21 – Winning favourites (3 in the last 10)
2/21 – Trained by Jonjo O’Neill (2007 & 2014)
2/21 – Trained by Thomas Gibney (2 in last 12)
Trainer Dermot A McLoughlin has trained 2 of the last 4
Trainer Willie Mullins has trained 2 of the last 5
Trainer Gordon Elliott has only won the race once (2018, General Principle)
Only 5 winners since 1996 have carried 11st 1lb+ (but last two have won)
11 of the last 21 winners returned 20/1 +
The average winning SP in the last 21 years is 26/1
Only 3 British-trained winners since 2005
Only 3 horses since 2000 to win with more than 11-0, Intense Raffles (2024), I Am Maximus (2023), Our Duke (2017) & Commanche Court (2000)

 

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Nick Rockett and rest of Closutton team in good shape since National heroics

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Willie Mullins will to let the dust settle before deciding if Nick Rockett will defend his Randox Grand National crown next season.

Nick Rockett led home a remarkable one-two-three for the master of Closutton in the hands of amateur son Patrick Mullins, with defending champion I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West filling the podium spots.

Meetingofthewaters in fifth and Minella Cocooner (seventh) added to his dominance of the Aintree marathon, with all the participants given a clean bill of health following their Merseyside exertions.

However, Mullins will take the summer to decide on plans for his Aintree heroes, with the British and Irish champion trainer pondering his options.

“We’re very happy with how the horses have come out of the race and they are all in good shape,” said Mullins, ahead of Nick Rockett’s homecoming parade in Leighlinbridge.

“We’ll look at them all individually as they come back in next season – whether I Am Maximus does that again next season or goes for the Gold Cup, I’m unsure.

“I don’t know what the handicapper has done with Nick Rockett since the National, but he certainly could turn into a Grade One horse. He would have a lot of weight to carry again next year.”

Townend left downbeat with second National just out of his grasp

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Paul Townend was left feeling “sickened to be beat” after I Am Maximus finished a gallant second his bid for back-to-back victories in the Randox Grand National.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was a brilliant winner of the Aintree spectacular last season and while he had failed to figure in two subsequent outings behind his dual Gold Cup-winning stablemate Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown, confidence appeared to be high ahead of his return to Merseyside.

Eventually going off the 7-1 second-favourite, I Am Maximus looked to be struggling at the halfway stage, but he appeared on the scene travelling well on the approach to the second-last, offering hope that he could emulate Tiger Roll by successfully defending his title.

In the end, though, he was unable to reel in his stablemate Nick Rockett, who passed the post with two and a half lengths in hand.

“Maybe he’d enjoy more of an ease in the ground, but there’s no excuses really. He’s run a huge race again, it’s just hard with top-weight,” said Townend.

“He took me through the race better last year probably. I’m sickened to be beat.”

Having previously tasted victory with Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021) before I Am Maximus’ success of 12 months ago, McManus launched a five-pronged assault in his bid to become the most successful owner in Grand National history.

The well-fancied Perceval Legallois was an early faller, but as well as picking up second with the reigning champion, McManus saw the 13-2 favourite Iroko claim fourth and Meetingofthewaters finish fifth.

He said: “He (I Am Maximus) ran very well, we can’t complain. He had to carry 11st 12lb.

“Iroko ran well too. He’s only a young horse and he might have another go next year.”

Iroko, trained in partnership by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, was finishing as strongly as anything in fourth.

Greenall said: “He ran well, Jonjo (O’Neill jnr) just said if the ground was a little bit softer he’d have been in his comfort zone a little bit more.

“You can’t complain, he warmed to the task and stayed on nicely. With another year on his back he could be a bit stronger and better.

“I personally felt he took to it really well and in another year, if it was a bit softer, it would just play to his strengths a bit more.

“It was amazing to see him finishing like that to be honest. It’s been quite a journey building up to the National and it’s a relief that he’s OK.”

O’Neill jnr is similarly looking forward to the 2026 Grand National, saying: “He ran very well, the ground was just a bit too good for him and he was a bit flat out to start with, but he warmed up into it and another year on his back will do him no harm.

“He finished well and a year stronger next year, we’d be looking forward to having another go.”

Splitting the McManus trio in third place was another Willie Mullins runner in the shape of the Brian Hayes-ridden Grangeclare West, carrying the colours of Cheveley Park Stud.

Cheveley Park’s Richard Thompson said: “That was beautiful, we loved that. He’s a horse who won a Grade One as a novice and finished second in the Irish Gold Cup, he’s lightly-raced and we thought he’d run a big race. He’s a class horse and we hoped he might finish in the first six maybe.

“He travelled beautifully and just made a mistake at the last. Would he have won it? He would have been right in there, but it’s still great to come here with my three sons and finish third in the National – it’s fantastic.

“I would have thought he’ll have another go next year. He loved that out there today, didn’t he?”

Senior Chief was sixth for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe, with the Mullins-trained Minella Cocooner seventh and Shark Hanlon’s pint-sized stable star Hewick eight, having travelled supremely well for a long way.

Hanlon said: “It was a brilliant run and we couldn’t be more proud of him.

“He’s just a little star, he’s OK and lives to fight another day. We’ll have good times with him for the rest of the year.”

2025 Grand National Trends

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2025 Grand National Betting Trends and Tips - The Randox Health Grand National is simply the biggest and most famous horse race in the world. Run at Aintree racecourse each year in early April the gruelling contest is run over a trip of 4 1/4 miles with the first ever winner being the appropriately-named Lottery.

With 34 runners to go through one popular angle on whittling down the field is to use some key trends - apply these to the 2025 Grand National runners and you'll at least build up a profile of the type of horse it takes to win the Liverpool marathon.

Did you know that since 1978 only three horses have won carrying more than 11-5 in weight, while we've only had one winning 7 year-old since 1940........but that was Noble Yeats in 2022.

Here at GEEGEEZ we look back at past winners and highlights the key betting trends ahead of the 2025 Aintree Grand National - this year run on Saturday 5th April - and sponsored by Randox Health.

Ok, at first glance with now 34 runners (reduced from 40) contesting 30 fences for 4 1/4 miles the Aintree Grand National does have quite a scary look to it when it comes to trying to hunt down the winner – however, despite those daunting factors you can often find the Grand National winner by following a few simple tips and trends.

The 2025 Grand National is on Saturday 5th April at 4pm.

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Positive Grand National Pointers……………….

  • Horses that had won or finished placed in a National race of any description
  • Note horses wearing a tongue-tie (5 of the last 7)
  • Aged between 8-10, but last 9 have all been aged 9 or younger
  • Look for horses that raced over hurdles at some point earlier that season
  • Horses that like to be ridden up with the pace in their races often do well (avoid horses that like to be held up)
  • Irish-trained horses have a great recent record in the Grand National (won 6 of the last 8)
  • Irish-bred horses have the best recent Grand National record
  • Look for horses that finished unplaced in the previous season’s Grand National – they often do well
  • Horses that have won over 3miles in the past is virtual ‘must-have’

Negative Grand National Pointers…………………

  • Horses aged 13 or older don’t have a great Grand National winning record – you have to go back to 1923!
  • Runners that have fallen or unseated three or more times often don’t run well
  • Past Grand National winners and previous Grand National placed horses have bad returning records
  • Horses that had last raced over 56 days ago often don’t run well
  • Runners that had hard races at the Cheltenham Festival, run the previous month, don’t fare well, although Tiger Roll kicked this trend into touch again in 2019 and Corach Rambler won at Cheltenham before winning the National in 2023.

Weight Watchers: Some recent winners have carried 11st (or more) to victory - including I Am Maximus (11-6) in 2024. However, looking back at recent trends make this weight your cut-off point.

If you look back over the winners, we’ve only seen the mighty Red Rum (1974 & 1977) and Many Clouds (2015) carry 11-8 or more – 25 of the last 33 winners carried 10-13 or less.

Staying Power: Stamina is an absolute must when scanning down the Grand National entries. Year-after-year there are always plenty of hype horses that are certainly talented, but the big question surrounding their chance is will they stay the gruelling 4m 1/4f trip?

29 of the last 33 winners had won over 3m+ in the past, but it's worth noting that the 2021 Minella Times - had only won over 2m6f before heading to National glory.

Age Concern: Experience is a vital attribute when looking back at past Grand National winners with horses aged 9 years-old or OLDER certainly the ones to focus on.

Before Noble Yeats won as a 7 year-old in 2022 - you had to go back to 1940 (Bogskar) to find the last 7 year-old to grab the Merseyside marathon!

Also don’t be too put off if your fancy is in their twilight years – but not a teenager - 26 of the last 33 winners were aged 9 or older, but it is worth pointing out 5 of the last 9 winners were 8 year-olds, suggesting there might be a bit of a turning point in this age stat. Including I Am Maximus in 2024.

Tongue-Tie: An interesting stat that's building up is that five of the last 7 National winners wore a tongue-tie. Backed up again in 2023 with Corach Rambler sporting this form of headgear or equipment.

We can expect several of the runners to follow suit, but this emerging trend should also help knock out many. While 50% of the last 6 winners wore headgear of some sort.

Luck Of The Irish: Our friends from the across the Irish Sea have raided these shores to win the Aintree Grand National many times in recent years, so certainly take a second glance at any of their runners.

9 of the last 20 winners came from Irish-based stables, including 6 of the last 8 and another in 2024 with the Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus.

The only two non-Irish winners came from the Lucinda Russell team in Scotland – so the last British-trained winner was still Many Clouds in 2015.

In short, the Irish or Russell have won ALL of the last eight Nationals.

Fencing Master: With thirty of the most unique obstacles in horse racing to negotiate with then having previous form over the tricky Grand National fences can be a massive advantage.

Many recent Grand National winners had previously been tried over these Grand National-style fences in the past. The Topham Chase and Becher Chase - or a previous run in the big race itself – are the main races that are staged at Aintree racecourse over the same Grand National-style fences to look back at.

Who’s Your Favourite: The betting on the Grand National always picks up pace in the weeks building up to the big day, but on the Saturday itself, when the once-a-year punters hit the high streets, this is when the betting market really kicks into gear.

It’s also worth noting that the weights for the Grand National are issued well in advance (February each year), so with some horses often running well after they’ve been given their allocated weight and before the race then this can also impact the ante post Grand National betting.

8 of the last 33 runnings have been won by the favourite (24%), while 19 of the last 33 (58%) market leaders were placed (top 4 finish)!

The last two runnings have now been won by the favourite (or joint) too, plus three of the last five.

Market Toppers: We’ve already talked about the actual favourite, but this Grand National trend can be taken a bit further when you actually drill down into recent runnings.

In fact, most winners in recent years started in the first eight of the Grand National betting market – indicating that despite the Venetia Williams-trained, Mon Mome, popping-up at 100/1 in 2009, that punters generally tend to get this race right.

13 of the last 21 winners came from the top 8 in the betting market. With 6 of the last 7 winners returning 14/1 or shorter. Only 50/1 winner Noble Yeats in 2022 has really saved the bookies since 2017.

Fitness First: Probably the biggest trend in recent years, and a really easy way to whittle the 34 strong field down in one easy swoop, is just check how many days ago your fancy last ran.

This is because the majority of the recent Grand National winners had their previous race no more than 48 days prior to the big day.

While if you want to take this trend further than you’ll notice that a large amount of recent winners of the Grand National actually raced less than 40 days prior to landing the greatest steeplechase in the world.

31 of the last 33 winners ran no more than 55 days ago, while 25 of the last 33 raced no more than 34 days ago!

In 2021, Minella Times, did defy this trend after winning the National off a 62-day break, while the 2023 winner Corach Rambler ran just 32 days prior, when first in the Ultima Handicap Chase in 2023 at the Cheltenham Festival.

12 months ago, I Am Maximus was last in action 49 days before winning the race – when winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, which was won by Nick Rocket this season, who holds an entry and is also trained by a certain Willie Mullins.

Recent Grand National Winners

2024 - I Am Maximus (7/1 jfav)
2023 - Corach Rambler (8/1 fav)
2022 – Noble Yeats (50/1)
2021 - Minella Times (11/1)
2020 - Cancelled (Covid)
2019 - Tiger Roll (4/1 fav)
2018 - Tiger Roll (10/1)
2017 - One For Arthur (14/1)
2016 – Rule The World 33/1
2015 – Many Clouds 25/1
2014 – Pineau De Re 25/1
2013 – Auroras Encore 66/1
2012 - Neptune Collonges 33/1
2011 - Ballabriggs 14/1
2010 - Don't Push It 10/1jfav
2009 - Mon Mome 100/1
2008 - Comply or Die 7/1 jfav
2007 - Silver Birch 33/1
2006 - Numbersixvalverde 11/1
2005 - Hedgehunter 7/1 fav
2004 - Amberleigh House 16/1
2003 - Monty’s Pass 16/1
2002 - Bindaree 20/1
2001 - Red Marauder 33/1
2000 - Papillon 10/1
1999 - Bobbyjo 10/1
1998 - Earth Summit 7/1 fav
1997 - Lord Gyllene 14/1
1996 - Rough Quest 7/1 fav
1995 - Royal Athlete 40/1
1994 - Miinnehoma 16/1
1993 - VOID RACE
1992 - Party Politics 14/1
1991 - Seagram 12/1
1990 - Mr Frisk 16/1

Aintree Grand National Trends

  • 32/33 – Officially rated 137 or higher
  • 31/33 – Ran no more than 55 days ago
  • 29/33 – Had won over at least 3m (chase) before
  • 29/33 – Had won no more than 6 times over fences before
  • 25/33 – Returned a double-figure price
  • 25/33 – Ran no more than 34 days ago
  • 25/33 – Carried 10-13 OR LESS
  • 25/33 – Aged 9 or older
  • 23/33 – Came from outside the top 3 in the betting
  • 22/33 - Aged 10 years-old or younger
  • 21/33 – Had won between 4-6 times over fences before
  • 21/33 – Finished in the top 4 last time out (7 of the last 8)
  • 19/33 – Won by an Irish-bred horse
  • 19/33 – Placed favourites
  • 18/33 – Carried 10-8 OR LESS
  • 16/33 – Aged 9 or 10 years-old
  • 13/33 – Ran at Cheltenham last time out
  • 13/33 – Trained in Ireland (inc 10 of the last 18 years)
  • 9/33 – Won last time out
  • 8/33 – Won by the favourite or joint favourite
  • 7/33 – Ran in a previous Grand National (but 14 of the last 16 were having their debuts)
  • 3/33 – Trained by Gordon Elliott
  • 2/33 – Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies
  • 2/33 - Trained by Willie Mullins
  • 2/33 - Trained by Lucinda Russell (2 of the last 7)
  • 1/33 – Won by a horse aged 7 years-old OR LESS

Aintree Grand National Facts

  • Since 1978, 146 horses have tried to win with more than 11-5 – with just three winners – I Am Maximus (11-6) in 2024, Many Clouds (11-9) in 2015 & Neptune Collonges (11-6) in 2012
  • 19 of the last 25 winners were bred in Ireland
  • 5 of the last 7 winners wore a tongue tie
  • 22 of the last 30 winners aged between 8-10
  • Only 4 horses that won at the Cheltenham Festival that same season has won since 1961 (Corach Rambler did the double in 2023)
  • 14 of the last 16 Grand National winners were having their first run in the race
  • Just one 7 year-old or younger to win after 1940 (Noble Yeats, 2022)
  • 15 of the last 27 winners had won or been placed in a National-type race before
  • No horse aged 13 or older has won since 1923 or placed since 1969
  • 3 of the last 15 winners ran in the Scottish National the previous season
  • 10 of the last 21 winners had run over hurdles at some stage earlier in the season
  • 5 of the last 22 winners had been unplaced in the National last year
  • Just two past winners or placed horse from the previous year’s race has won for 38 years (86 have attempted)
  • 25 of the last 27 winners had fallen or unseated no more than twice in their careers
  • Just two back-to-back winners since 1974 Red Rum (1974) and Tiger Roll (2019)

Aintree Grand National Betting Trends (21 Year)

21/21 – Carried 11st 9lbs or less
19/21 – Officially rated 137 or higher
18/21 – Carried 11st 5lbs or less
18/21 – Had won over at least 3m previously
18/21 – Ran less than 50 days ago
15/21 – Won by a horse aged 9 or older
13/21 – Winners from the top 8 in the betting
13/21 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
10/21 – Won by an Irish-trained horse
9/21 – Won by horses aged in double-figures
8/21 – Experienced the National fences before
8/21 – Carried 11-0 or more in weight
7/21 – Won their last race
6/21 – Winning favourites (2 joint)
5/21 - (Won by a horse aged 8 years-old (5 of the last 9)
5/21– Won by a horse aged 10 years-old
3/21 – Won by the Gordon Elliott yard
2/21 – Won by the McCain yard
2/21 - Won by the Lucinda Russell yard
2/21 - Won by the Willie Mullins yard

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Max power for McManus in search of record National triumph

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JP McManus has never hidden his love of the Grand National and claiming the outright record for wins in the great race with a fourth success on Saturday would be the icing on the cake following last month’s Gold Cup triumph.

Cheltenham hero Inothewayurthinkin is absent from the Randox-sponsored Aintree spectacular – but there will be a five-star squad carrying the famous green and gold colours, including the Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus, who was so brilliant 12 months ago.

Mullins said on Thursday he feels he has the nine-year-old “exactly where I want him” after two moderate runs at Leopardstown so far this season.

And Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, is happy to have I Am Maximus leading the team: “We’re going there with some really nice horses and we hope to have a bit of luck on the day.

“Things haven’t been as smooth for I Am Maximus this year and there’s been a few little hiccups along the way, which isn’t ideal, but Willie thinks he’s back in good form.

Randox Grand National 2024 – Grand National Day – Aintree Racecourse
I Am Maximus jumps the last on the way to winning the Randox Grand National (Nigel French for the Jockey Club/PA).

“I’m not sure how he’ll cope with drying ground and he would probably like a bit more juice in the ground, but hopefully he will be all right on the day.

“He couldn’t have done it any better last year, he was very good.”

Mullins also runs Meetingofthewaters, while Gavin Cromwell’s Perceval Legallois is another strongly-fancied Irish raider for McManus following two wins over fences and hurdles this winter.

Berry said of the latter: “We were a little bit disappointed in the autumn, but he turned up trumps at Leopardstown over Christmas and then went back there over hurdles and was very good once again.

“He would maybe like more juice in the ground, but Gavin’s horses are in great form, so he goes there in good order.”

Nicky Henderson’s Chantry House will be a long shot in the McManus silks, but Iroko is among the market leaders for the Cheshire-based team of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Cheltenham Festival 2023 – Gold Cup Day – Cheltenham Racecourse
Iroko after winning at Cheltenham in 2023 (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA).

Greenall – son of former Aintree chairman Lord Daresbury, who oversaw the bomb scare National and the void race that never was – commented: “We’d like it a little bit softer, but they’ve done a great job with the ground and it should be perfectly fine.

“Everything has gone well up to this point and it’s very exciting. The plan will be to just get him settled in mid-division and enjoying himself and then take it from there.”

Irish trainers have taken six of the last eight renewals and Cromwell’s Stumptown is vying for favouritism following his impressive cross-country success at the Cheltenham Festival, while stablemate Vanillier was an eyecatching third in that race and seeks to go one better than his 2023 National second.

Cromwell said: “Stumptown seems very well, it’s a quick enough turnaround but he seems very fresh and well.

“He’s been very good this season, the drying ground is a small bit of a concern. It’s going to be a fast pace, we just need him to keep his position and then hopefully he’ll stay well.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Style Wednesday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Stumptown winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Adam Davy/PA).

“He’s going to love the fences. He loves the cross-country fences so I think it will really bring out the best in him.

“Vanillier ran very well at Cheltenham, again he’s one that may struggle to keep his position as I imagine he’s going to be flat out. He will stay well, so I just hope he doesn’t get too far back.

“Perceval Legallois is coming into it a bit fresher than the other two, he’s never gone further than three miles, but I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.

“He should travel round fine as he has a little bit more pace, he hasn’t been round Aintree but he has seen the fences at home and jumped them fine, so hopefully he will take to it.”

Tom Gibney’s Intense Raffles bids to follow up last year’s Irish Grand National triumph with an even more famous victory for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Their racing manager Anthony Bromley said: “Tom has been very happy with his preparation and the horse is relatively unexposed and we hope he is reasonably handicapped.

“We would have liked it to have been proper soft ground rather than watered soft ground, but it is what it is and we couldn’t be happier with the horse at the moment.”

Ladbrokes Christmas Festival – Day One – Kempton Park
Trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon, jockey Gavin Sheehan and Hewick (Steven Paston/PA).

Aintree glory would add another amazing chapter to the Hewick fairytale, with the €850 bargain buy having already earned over £750,000 in prize-money.

Trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon said: “There has only been one plan for this year and that plan has been in place for the last six months. The English National is the race we want and, please God, all we ask is a bit of luck now.”

Reigning Aintree hero I Am Maximus leads field of Grand National declarations

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Defending champion I Am Maximus heads the 34 declarations for Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree, with connections clearly confident he is back to his best.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was a seven-and-a-half-length winner last year and while he is off an 8lb higher mark this term, he is again among the leading lights with Paul Townend keeping faith despite two lacklustre runs this year.

Mullins said: “He disappointed me a couple of times (at Leopardstown), but I’m very happy with his homework. I told you that about State Man before Cheltenham and this fellow is in great form.

2024 Randox Aintree Grand National Homecoming
Paul Townend, groom Steven Cahill, I Am Maximus and Willie Mullins (Niall Carson/PA).

“He’s in great shape and I’m very happy with him. I’d loved to have got that last run into him, but we couldn’t as he missed the Bobbyjo and we’ve taken steps to get over that I hope.

“The horse is exactly where I want him.”

Mullins runs six in total, including Nick Rockett, Grangeclare West and Meetingofthewaters, with fellow Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell also holding a strong hand with ante-post favourite Stumptown joined by Vanillier and Perceval Legallois.

The Shark Hanlon-trained Hewick is another popular pick while Iroko is the leading British hope for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero having been aimed at the race all season.

Paul Nicholls fields a five-strong team headed by Kandoo Kid and with no withdrawals from the top 34 horses confirmed on Monday, it is Gordon Elliott’s Duffle Coat who makes the cut as the final runner.

Shakem Up’Arry, Roi Mage, Favori de Champdou and Fantastic Lady are the four reserve runners waiting in the wings should any of the field be declared a non-runner before 1pm on Friday.

Tom Gibney and J J Slevin with Intense Raffles after his Irish National win last year
Tom Gibney and J J Slevin with Intense Raffles after his Irish National win last year (Niall Carson/PA)

Irish handlers are responsible for more than half of the field, with their contenders also including one-time ante-post favourite Intense Raffles.

Formerly trained in France, Intense Raffles was switched to Tom Gibney in the autumn of 2023 and following successive novice wins at Fairyhouse, the seven-year-old returned to the County Meath track to provide his trainer with a second Irish National success in April last year. Just over 12 months on from his finest hour, a long-held plan could be about to come together.

“The plan was pretty much hatched the day after he won the Irish National and he didn’t run again over fences until after the weights (for Aintree) had come out (in February),” said Anthony Bromley, who is racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

“There was some talk of going for the novice chase at the Punchestown Festival (last year), but a good showing there would have affected our handicap mark, so we decided to set our stall out and target Aintree early.”

Intense Raffles was well beaten on his first two starts of this season over hurdles at Navan, but a return to the larger obstacles saw a significant upturn in form as he pushed Nick Rockett all the way in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

The Irish National has a good record of producing subsequent Aintree heroes, with Bobbyjo himself, Numbersixvalverde and I Am Maximus all doing the double in the last 30 years – and leading bloodstock agent Bromley is hoping Intense Raffles can add his name to the list.

He added: “It might not work and it could all be in vain, but if the handicapper had to reassess him today and after his run in the Bobbyjo, he would be a good 6lb or 7lb higher, so we’ve done something right!

“Unfortunately, there’s four and a quarter miles, 30 fences and 33 other rivals before we find out how right, so we’ll have to wait and see. We’ve done our job, it’s now down to J J (Slevin, jockey) and the horse to do it on the track on the day.”

Defending champion Maximus leads 57 in National contention

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Last year’s winner I Am Maximus heads the confirmations for Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree.

Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old was a hugely-impressive winner 12 months ago and will attempt to add his name to an elite list who have won the race more than once.

Champion trainer Mullins has his usual strong team, with Thyestes and Bobbyjo Chase winner Nick Rockett and the Cheveley Park-owned Grangeclare West also towards the top of the weights.

Appreciate It, Minella Cocooner and Meetingofthewaters are also set to represent Mullins, with Capodanno his only horse in the top 34 not confirmed on Monday morning.

Willie Mullins (left) and Paul Townend celebrate winning last year's Grand National
Willie Mullins (left) and Paul Townend celebrate winning last year’s Grand National (David Davies/PA)

The others who were guaranteed a run but have not taken up the option are L’Homme Presse, Minella Drama and Velvet Elvis, with the last-named horse trained by Gavin Cromwell.

He will still be strongly represented though with Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois and Vanillier, who finished second in 2023.

Former King George winner Hewick, last year’s third and 2021 Gold Cup hero Minella Indo and Intense Raffles, Tom Gibney’s seven-year-old who won the Irish National last season, are also among a typically strong Irish contingent.

Paul Nicholls has five contenders as he goes in search of a second win in the race, with Kandoo Kid, Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Hitman and Stay Away Fay among the 57 horses to stand their ground.

Paul Nicholls with his five Grand National runners
Paul Nicholls with his five Grand National runners (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Iroko has been aimed at the race all season by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Beauport will sport the colours of Bryan and Philippa Burrough, whose Corbiere created a slice of National history when Jenny Pitman became the first successful female trainer in 1983.

Broadway Boy is another for the Twiston-Davies team despite being pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time.

Following the withdrawals, Celebre d’Allen, Three Card Brag and Twig are now guaranteed a run in the 34-runner field.

Asked if he was relieved to be assured of a spot, Twig’s trainer Ben Pauling said: “Very much so. It’s brilliant. It’s been the aim for his whole season really.

“He’s going to go there as an exciting horse and lively outsider, as I would maybe describe it.

“It’s not like it used to be. It’s now more a race where a lot of very good horses are featuring in the first three or four and I’m not sure we’ve got an abundance in hand, but the National’s an extraordinary trip and an extraordinary test.

“So you’re never going to know how they take to it – if they take to it and they get into a good rhythm, I think he’ll stay very well and he seems in good order.”

Duffle Coat is set to take the final place in the race, as he boasts a higher current rating than both Shakem Up’Arry and Roi Mage, with all three due to carry 10st 4lb. There will also be four reserves.

I Am Maximus delights connections ahead of National defence

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Willie Mullins believes I Am Maximus could be returning to peak form at exactly the right time ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old was a brilliant winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase 12 months ago, but was pulled up on his return to action in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown and fared only marginally better when eighth in the Irish Gold Cup in early February.

Having since missed a planned outing in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, I Am Maximus will return to Merseyside with something to prove, but Mullins issued an upbeat report on his well-being at Downpatrick on Sunday.

“All our horses in the National, if they get in, they’ll run. I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett, Meetingofthewaters (and) the Cheveley Park horse (Grangeclare West),” he told Racing TV.

“They’re all in good shape. Most of them did their final bit of work yesterday (Saturday) and I’m very happy with them all.

“I Am Maximus is very good. Paul (Townend) got down off him with a big smile on his face yesterday morning, so that means he’s back to where Paul wants him anyway.

“It’s shaping up to be a great race.”

The champion trainer also confirmed star mare Lossiemouth as a likely runner in Thursday’s William Hill Aintree Hurdle, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill.

Galopin Des Champs, who came up short in his bid for a Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick earlier this month, is not part of the Mullins squad bound for Liverpool, but could bid to get back on the winning trail in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Mullins added: “He’s very good. He was a bit disappointed himself for the first few days but he’s getting over that and we’ll see where we go next, whether we go to Punchestown or not.

“He’s in good shape at home and we’ll have a think about it. It’s not his favourite track I think, Punchestown.

“When horses are used to winning and they get beaten, he’d be at the back of his stable, whereas normally he’d be head over the door. They know when it hasn’t gone well.”

State Man, who suffered a crunching fall with a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham seemingly within his grasp, was reported to be “in great shape” and on course to bid for a third successive win in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

I Am Maximus absence expected to be minor blip

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Connections of I Am Maximus are hopeful the minor setback that led to the Grand National hero being been ruled out of the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse will prove only a minor inconvenience.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was due to contest the Grade Three he won 12 months ago en route to another bid for the Aintree marathon.

An infection scuppered that plan, but it is not considered to be too severe and he should resume work next week.

“He’s had a bit of an infection that has stopped him from running,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus.

“He’ll be back riding out next week, so hopefully everything will go right for him from there on in.

“It’s a minor thing, just enough to stop him running today which is a pity as the race looked to really suit him.

“Willie is hoping all will be well early next week and he’ll be back riding out then.”

I Am Maximus back in Bobbyjo action at Fairyhouse

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I Am Maximus leads a strong Willie Mullins team for the Follow @ToteRacing On Twitter Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, as he tunes up for the defence of his Grand National crown in the race he claimed emphatically 12 months ago en route to Aintree glory.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old romped to a 14-length victory in this Grade Three event before going on to win equally impressively in Liverpool, although he has failed to show the same zest in two starts this far this term.

Paul Townend has stayed loyal to his National hero, but Mullins – who has won eight of the last nine editions of the Bobbyjo – sees stablemate and Thyestes winner Nick Rockett as potentially the best placed from his quartet of runners, with Minella Cocooner and Capodanno the others from Closutton who also have Aintree on their agendas.

Paul Townend (left) and Willie Mullins (right) with their Grand National hero I Am Maximus
Paul Townend (left) and Willie Mullins (right) with their Grand National hero I Am Maximus (Niall Carson/PA)

“Nick Rockett would look the one at the weights,” said Mullins.

“It was tough for Paul to have to make the decision, but he won the National on I Am Maximus and it would be very hard to get off him at a track that he likes and runs well on.

“Nick Rockett would look to be nicely placed in this race.

“I was very pleased with Capodanno’s recent work and we also have Minella Cocooner. They all have their chance, but on paper you’d have to think that Nick Rockett looks the part. But I Am Maximus loves the track and reserves some of his best runs for around there.”

Intense Raffle won last year's Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse
Intense Raffle won last year’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse (Niall Carson/PA)

In 2024 I Am Maximus replicated Bobbyjo, the horse this race is named after, and followed up victory in the Irish Grand National the previous year with a win in the English equivalent.

Thomas Gibney’s Intense Raffles is now bidding to follow suit having claimed last year’s Easter showpiece and he returns to fences for the first time since that Fairyhouse victory having been kept to hurdles in the early part of this season.

Elsewhere in the line-up, Noel Meade runs Affordale Fury, Mouse Morris fields French Dynamite, while William Murphy’s Clonmeen completes the eight taking part in a race with a fine roll of honour.

Monday Musings: Levelling Up

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Much was made when the entries came out of this year’s alleged “levelling up” of the respective teams for the Randox Grand National, writes Tony Stafford. Home stables, tired of the now routine grab of almost all of the £1 million prize money by the Irish, had entered close to half (37 of the 87 still engaged) so would have better chances to keep the prizes at home, went the thinking.

Fat chance. Nowadays only 34 can run, making the task of breaking into that portion guaranteed a place in the starting lineup almost impossible. Of last year’s field of 32 (two cried off with vet’s certificates on the day of the race), only eight were UK trained. In contrast, Willie Mullins ran eight on his own, and Gordon Elliott seven.  Three each from those all-powerful stables started at 40/1 and bigger and they all pulled up. The Mullins trio of pullers-up were 100/1, 40/1 and 125/1: Elliott’s were 125/1, 50/1 and 100/1.

No hopers maybe and, just as possibly, their respective owners fancied an afternoon at Aintree and the privilege of being looked after by the redoubtable, nay vivacious, redhead Siobhan Doolan in the owners’ dining room! More likely, their main purpose was to eliminate as many potential UK threats to the big two stables as they possibly could.

With just shy of 50 per cent of the field, it was hard to imagine their failing to get among the big prizes and so they did. Mullins won it with I Am Maximus in the JP McManus colours, and Elliott was second and fourth with old-timers Delta Work and Galvin.

Their compatriot, Henry de Bromhead, had three runners, and two of the first six home in third-placed Minella Indo, the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and Ain’t That A Shame, sixth for amateur-riding owner David Maxwell. Only the Maxwell horse does not have the Aintree ticket this time, but the Irish top quartet from last year do. Christian Williams’ fifth-placed Kitty’s Light does not have the entry.

At nine, I Am Maximus will be the baby of the returning team, and he is up 8lb to a top-weighted 167. Second and third are now age 12, and the fourth is an 11-year-old. They aren’t for moving anytime soon.

Two Venetia Williams horses are the sole UK interlopers in the top ten in the weights. Both Royale Pagaille, the second top-weight, and L’Homme Presse ran on Saturday and neither showed the sort of form needed to be feasible contenders at Aintree or, more immediately, in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Royale Pagaille has a fantastic record at Haydock but, predictably, asking him to give almost two stone to some tough staying handicappers in the Grand National Trial over 3m4f there proved too demanding a task. He faded out of contention behind an impressive winner in Nicky Richards’ Famous Bridge, who does have the Aintree entry, as does runner-up Apple Away and fourth-placed Git Maker.

Famous Bridge had been loping along easily in the same race 12 months earlier, when unseating his rider Sean Quinlan six fences from home. The race was won by Gavin Cromwell’s Yeah Man. He returned aiming at the follow-up but this time it was he that didn’t get round.

Royal Pagaille’s intervention in this race had a significant difference to Famous Bridge’s chances, even if he was running off only a 1lb lower handicap mark. Last year, Famous Bridge carried 11st4lb, now he was 16lb lower on 10st2lb. Checking back, he had never carried less than 11st in any of his last ten races over the previous two years! Going as far as three-and-a-half miles, that surely would make a massive difference and so it proved.

So is Nicky Richards planning ahead to the big day in April? Hardly. On 136, Famous Bridge is number 80, five places lower than Lucinda Russell’s mare Apple Away. To complete the trio of unrealistic Grand National candidates from this so-called Trial, Jamie Snowden’s Git Maker in a closing fourth, is number 84.

Famous Bridge did well to collect the £57k first prize. Yeah Man, rated 144 and who unseated on Saturday, is number 61 for the big race. The lowest mark to get in last year was 146. It could happen, but Gavin Cromwell is almost sure to have his sights lowered, maybe to a Cheltenham handicap with the Irish Grand National even more a possible destination.

The other Venetia star L’Homme Presse did his Gold Cup aspirations no favours with an abject performance in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase. Jumping out to the left from an early stage, he was soon pulled up by Charlie Deutsch as the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy won in trademark all-the-way style.

Nicholls showed his emotion, first cheering the horse and Harry Cobden home with his inimitable energy. Then, when interviewed later, he showed how much he was relieved at this first Grade 1 success for his stable since Pic D’Orhy won the same race 12 months ago. Don’t worry Paul, nobody thinks you’re anything but a fantastic trainer. What do they say, form is temporary, class is permanent?

Anyway, the Irish do not intend relinquishing the £500,000 top Grand National prize lightly and it seems more inevitable by the day that JP McManus will be making it Grand National win number four.

He has the first three in the betting with Inothewayurthinkin on top at 8/1 for Cromwell, and last year’s winner second in at 12’s. Slightly from left field is third favourite Iroko, trained in the UK by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero; he gets in fine as he’s number 27 on the list.

His latest fourth place in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham last month attracted the attention of the stewards who interviewed Jonjo O’Neill, his rider, afterwards and then issued a lengthy report of his comments. Reading between the lines, it doesn’t seem that they were totally convinced by what he told them, and the 14/1 price about the horse, a seven-year-old as is Inothewayurthinkin, reflects the market’s fear of a McManus “plunge”, if he still bothers plunging that is.

Nicky Richards has been recovering well from the riding accident which caused such serious injuries last year, and his horses have been providing the ideal tonic. As well as the valuable prize so deservedly collected by Famous Bridge in the revered Hemmings racing colours, he has also been having a great time with previously unraced bumper horses.

He even asked me to mention a couple of weeks ago to the boss of the geegeez.co.uk team that he had some horses available for syndication and that surely Geegeez needed a representation in the north of the country! Sorry Nicky, no joy on that one.

It seems that Thursday’s debut bumper winner Upon Tweed had been the subject of considerable interest, and he says, “I’m not sure I’ll be training him for much longer. I’ll never stop being amazed how much money agents seem to have to bid on behalf of wealthy people for prospective jumping horses, but they do!”

At the other end of the scale, the latest Tattersalls Online sale last week proved little short of a total washout. Two or three sequences of around ten horses at a time did not receive a suitable bid between them when the closing time for their sale came up with a few minutes’ space in between them. I made it that only 53 of 137 lots changed hands and many of these at bargain basement levels. The whole sale might have struggled to match what Upon Tweed eventually goes for when that piece of horse trading concludes.

Richards' accident last year is testimony to the inherent dangers of riding racehorses. Yesterday’s news that Michael O’Sullivan, at 24 one of the most promising jump jockeys in Ireland, had died following his fall in a race at Thurles last week, shocked the racing community there and here in the UK, too.

Racing families are uniquely resilient, but such terrible accidents are a constant reminder that the ambulances, doctors and vets that attend every race in the principal racing countries are not in any way arbitrary but rather absolutely essential.

- TS

Maximus facing ‘tough’ task in Grand National defence

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Willie Mullins is under no illusions about the task facing I Am Maximus after he was allotted top-weight ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the Randox Grand National.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was a brilliant winner of the Aintree spectacular last season under Paul Townend, but will have to carry 11st 12lb to victory if he is to repeat the feat on April 5.

Since his heroics of last season, I Am Maximus has twice competed against his dual Gold Cup-winning stablemate Galopin Des Champs, pulling up in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas before finishing eighth in the Irish Gold Cup earlier this month.

Mullins, who first claimed Grand National glory with Hedgehunter in 2005, hopes the nine-year-old can get his season up and running in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse later this month, but admits it will be “tough” for the nine-year-old to successfully defend his Grand National crown.

“It was huge to win it last year for the second time. I felt very spoilt winning a second Grand National,” said the British and Irish champion trainer.

“It’s top-weight and it’s tough but we had an idea that it would be tough. He’ll probably run in the Bobbyjo and we’ll see how he is.

“He likes the track (Aintree). 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 round 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 not be Mullins’ only representative in this year’s renewal of the world’s most famous steeplechase, with the Closutton handler responsible for 10 entries in all.

Other hopefuls for the team include Grangeclare West (11st 8lb), who was last seen finishing second to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup, and recent Thyestes Chase winner Nick Rockett (11st 8lb).

Royale Pagaille is second in the weights for this year's Grand National
Royale Pagaille is second in the weights for this year’s Grand National (Mike Egerton/The Jockey Club)

With a rating of 167, I Am Maximus is 3lb clear at the head of the weights, with the Venetia Williams-trained Royale Pagaille next in on 11st 9lb.

Grangeclare West and Nick Rockett are two of four horses on 11st 8lb along with Royale Pagaille’s high-profile stablemate L’Homme Presse and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen, with last season’s King George hero Hewick seventh on the list as the only horse allotted 11st 7lb.

I Am Maximus is the 10-1 joint-favourite with the Grand National’s official betting partner William Hill alongside Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthinkin (11st 5lb), who also carries the McManus silks.

The leading owner is also responsible for the well-fancied Iroko (10st 11lb), who is a 14-1 shot for the training partnership of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

With Gerri Colombe scratched and Your Own Story and Motu Fareone not qualified, a total of 87 horses remain in Grand National contention, 47 of which are trained in Ireland.

As was the case for the first time last year, the field is restricted to 34 runners, but having previously been scrapped, there will be four reserves in 2025.

Fact To File to spearhead McManus Gold run at Leopardstown

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Both Fact To File and I Am Maximus will take on stablemate Galopin Des Champs in Saturday’s Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

All three of those runners are trained by Willie Mullins, who also has Embassy Gardens, Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner in the mix.

JP McManus owns both Fact To File and I Am Maximus and enjoyed a successful day at Punchestown courtesy of the former when he took the scalp of Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Chase.

The two met again the Savills Chase after Christmas and the form was reversed, with Galopin Des Champs cantering home seven and a half lengths ahead of runner-up Fact To File.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 – Style Wednesday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Fact To File and Mark Walsh at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)

He ran keenly that day under Mark Walsh and could improve for settling, but connections are under no illusions as to the difficulty of defeating Galopin Des Champs in his bid for the Irish Gold Cup hat-trick.

“Fact To File is in great form, Willie is very happy with him and the plan is to run on Saturday,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus. “He could do with settling a little bit more and we’ll be hoping he does whatever happens.

“Galopin Des Champs will be very hard to beat, we’re very aware of that, but we’re happy with our horse.”

I Am Maximus is the reigning Grand National champion and is entered again for the big race in April, for which he is generally the favourite at this early stage in the process.

Randox Grand National 2024 – Grand National Day – Aintree Racecourse
I Am Maximus en route to winning the Grand National at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

He made his seasonal debut in the Savills Chase but did not complete under Jody McGarvey, who pulled him up five fences from home after a jumping error.

The bay now looks to regain his form at Leopardstown, where a pleasing run will bring Aintree clearly into the picture once again.

“I Am Maximus is going to run as well, he’s in good form too,” said Berry.

“Things just didn’t happen for him the other day and Jody pulled him up, but he’s back looking very well.

“We’re looking forward to getting him out and we hope he runs a nice race.

“It will all come down to how he runs on Saturday, if he doesn’t run well on Saturday then I’m not sure, but if he goes well then we’ll head for the National again, absolutely.”

Cheltenham Festival 2024 – Gold Cup Day – Cheltenham Racecourse
Majborough winning the Triumph Hurdle (Adam Davy/PA)

On the same Saturday card at Leopardstown the McManus silks will be carried by Majborough in the Goffs Irish Arkle, another horse to face a familiar presence as he takes on his stablemate Ile Atlantique.

Majborough took the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season and made a strong start to his chasing career this term, winning a Fairyhouse beginners’ chase by six and a half lengths from another Mullins-trained horse in Tullyhill.

That run leaves him well placed to step up to Grade One level as he has taken those exertions well.

“We’re really looking forward to getting him out again, he looks well,” said Berry.

“He looked very impressive the last day and he seems very happy with himself since. We’re excited to see him run again, that’s for sure.”

Late call to be made on Spillane’s Tower supplementary decision

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Connections will wait until Friday morning before deciding whether to supplement Spillane’s Tower for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

Jimmy Mangan’s stable star is the 4-1 second-favourite with the race sponsors after filling the runner-up spot behind fellow JP McManus-owned chaser Fact To File in the John Durkan at Punchestown.

Also a dual Grade One winner as a novice over fences last season, Spillane’s Tower would clearly be a major contender for the Boxing Day showpiece at Kempton Park, but the McManus team are keen to see some ease in the ground before making a final call on whether to add him to the field at a cost of £4,600.

Corbetts Cross on his way to winning the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham
Corbetts Cross on his way to winning the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Either way McManus is set to be represented in a race he won for the first and only time to date with French star First Gold 24 years ago, with the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross confirmed as an intended runner.

“At the minute Corbetts Cross is on course to go there and we’ll just check the ground in the morning for Spillane’s Tower and see what they’re saying,” the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry said on Thursday.

“If it’s soft he’ll probably be supplemented. You’d want to see the word soft in it, definitely.

“It’s decision time in the morning, so we’ll take it from there.”

The going at Kempton was described as good to soft, good in places on Thursday afternoon following three millimetres of rain overnight. There is a risk of showers every day until Monday, with Christmas Day and Boxing Day looking mild and dry with sunny periods.

Fact To File and jockey Mark Walsh after winning the John Durkan at Punchestown
Fact To File and jockey Mark Walsh after winning the John Durkan at Punchestown (Niall Carson/PA)

McManus has a wealth of talent in the staying chase division this season, with Fact To File the current ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

With Corbetts Cross and possibly Spillane’s Tower pencilled in for Kempton, the Willie Mullins-trained Fact To File looks set for a mouthwatering rematch with stablemate Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday week, having beaten him into third place in the John Durkan.

Berry, who also confirmed the Savills Chase as the likely comeback target of Grand National hero I Am Maximus, admits deciding how to split their horses is a high-class problem.

“Fact To File and I Am Maximus look to be going to Leopardstown,” he added.

“It’s a good problem to have, but with the dry winter it has left things a bit congested for us.”

Mullins has sights firmly fixed on National repeat with I Am Maximus

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Willie Mullins has his eyes firmly fixed on a Randox Grand National repeat with last season’s Aintree hero I Am Maximus.

Almost 20 years on from claiming his first victory in the world’s most famous steeplechase with Hedgehunter in 2005, the master of Closutton doubled his tally on Merseyside in April, with I Am Maximus justifying his status as a 7-1 joint-favourite with a dominant display under Paul Townend.

With a revised mark of 169, only three staying chasers are rated higher than the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old, namely his dual Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning stablemate Galopin Des Champs, Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe and the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow.

However, while I Am Maximus would be fully entitled to pursue the Gold Cup dream himself this term, all roads lead back to Aintree.

I Am Maximus with trainer Willie Mullins and the Randox team
I Am Maximus with trainer Willie Mullins and the Randox team (John Grossick/The Jockey Club)

“He’s summered very well and strengthened up, I’m very happy with him,” Mullins said at a press morning at his yard on Wednesday.

“He was a novice of course this time last year, so he was able to win the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase in Fairyhouse.

“I haven’t picked a starting point for him yet this year. Last year he went to the Savills Chase in Leopardstown, then he went to the Irish Gold Cup and then the Bobbyjo Chase. I would imagine those three races will be his targets for this year and then back to Aintree for another go at the National.”

I Am Maximus carried 11st 6lb to National glory – and with the top-weight capped at 11st 12lb, Mullins can see no reason why he will not put up a staunch defence of his crown on April 5.

He added: “In reality he’s not going to have a lot more weight than last year because he carried over 11st, so it’s not like a 10st 5lb horse going up to 11st 5lb or something – and he’s matured and he’s still maturing.

“I was really delighted with how he came back from a summer’s grass and how strong he came back, so I think he could make that jump and carry the weight, at least that’s what we hope.

“After the National last year I said I think he’s a Gold Cup horse and I still do, but I think connections are much happier to go back for the National and have another good go at it.

“Paul gave him a fantastic ride last year. He rode him so cool and so cold and then when he asked him to go, to quicken like he did, I don’t think we’ve seen a horse do that for years in Aintree.

“We’re going to have to take whatever the handicapper gives us, but when you look at what he did in the last half-mile last year, you’d be hoping he’ll be able to rise to it.”

He went on: “It was a bit surreal to see him do what he did last year, in the manner than he did it. He’s matured late in life and I think the Aintree fences really caught his attention and he settled into being a proper racehorse, so I think that’s what is going to suit him going back there. Some horses just love Aintree and I think he could be one of those.

“Red Rum won three and Tiger Roll won two and I think JP would be keen to have a horse that can do that – win two and maybe go on for a third one.

“If you don’t try you don’t succeed, so that’s our plan.”

Mullins might have over 100 Cheltenham Festival winners under his belt and countless other big-race wins on home soil and abroad, but the significance of the National is not lost on the 68-year-old.

Hedgehunter and Ruby Walsh winning the 2005 Grand National at Aintree
Hedgehunter and Ruby Walsh winning the 2005 Grand National at Aintree (David Davies/PA)

“I was lucky to have Hedgehunter and we felt at the time that was fantastic and we’ll probably never win another one. Most trainers don’t, if they win one then they’re very lucky,” he said.

“To win the Aintree National is every kid’s dream. For most of us it’s the first instance of watching a race on TV and with the romance of it and the stories behind it, I think when I first started training if someone asked me which race do you want to win it would be the Grand National.

“It’s a dream come true twice.”

I Am Maximus’ lucrative success of course played a part in Mullins becoming the first Irish-based handler since the legendary Vincent O’Brien 70 years earlier to be crowned champion trainer in Britain, setting up a sensational end to the season which also saw him take out the Scottish Grand National with Macdermott and the bet365 Gold Cup with Minella Cocooner.

However, while he will not give up his title without a fight, Mullins feels it will be difficult to replicate those achievements.

I Am Maximus on the gallops at Closutton
I Am Maximus on the gallops at Closutton (John Grossick/The Jockey Club)

He said: “We knew we had a good chance going to Aintree, but to win the National was going to put us right in the mix and this guy did it for us, so it was all to play for after that.

“We’ll be batting away like we were last year and hopefully he can come good again and we might have something else in the race.

“Last year was just extraordinary, the way we won the National, the bet365 Gold Cup and the Scottish National. We don’t dream that we’re going to do that again, but if we could get one it would be a huge help.

“We got every bounce of the ball last spring and it was unbelievable the way things happened. In those big handicaps in Ayr and Sandown we won photo finishes and then there was Impaire Et Passe in the three-way photo finish in the Aintree Hurdle.

“If someone said to me at the start of the year, this is what is going to happen to a trainer in the last three months of the season, I’d have said that’s Disneyland/Hollywood stuff, that doesn’t happen.

“It’s probably a once in a lifetime thing, but we’ve done it, 70 years after Vincent O’Brien.”