The champion trainer gives the lowdown on his possible team as the JP McManus-owned I Am Maximus is allotted top weight in the £1 million showpiece at Aintree in April
Willie Mullins has admitted it’s going to be “tough’ for I Am Maximus to win the Randox Grand National for the second year running.
In April last year the champion trainer of Britain and Ireland claimed his second victory in the world famous £1 million race when I Am Maximus romped to a seven and a half length success under Paul Townend.
In 2024 he carried 11st 6lb to victory but this year he has been allotted top weight of 11st 12lb, 6lb more, following the publication of the handicap on Tuesday.
Mullins, who previously won the race with Hedgehunter in 2005, has saddled 60 horses in the big race since his first runner Micko’s Dream fell at the first fence in 2000.
He has engaged ten horses this year but not all are expected to line up on April 5.
Mullins has run the rule over his contenders after discovering their weights with latest William Hill odds:
I AM MAXIMUS (12-1)
“It was huge to win it last year for the second time. I felt very spoiled winning a second Grand National. 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.”
GRANGECLARE WEST (33-1)
“I was very pleased with his run (when second in the Irish Gold Cup). He paid the penalty by being raised in the weights so it’s going to be tougher, but he might take his chance. I’m not sure he’ll run before but I’ll think about that.”
NICK ROCKETT (16-1)
“I thought he was very good winning the Thyestes and that’s always a very good pointer towards the National, so hopefully he’ll take up the engagement.”
APPRECIATE IT (66-1)
“He’s shown a nice change of form on nice ground in Thurles to win (in January). Aintree ground is usually lovely so he has his chance and plenty of 11-year-olds have won in the recent past.”
CAPODANNO (66-1)
“Capodanno was running a good race last year. The handicapper’s given him a chance and he jumps those fences no problem so I’m happy enough.”
MINELLA COCOONER (20-1)
“He jumps well. He won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last year. It’s going to be a tough assignment to win another big handicap within the calendar year but he’ll take his chance.”
MEETINGOFTHEWATERS (33-1)
“I think Meetingofthewaters has a lovely weight. He ran very well last year and I think my eye was drawn to him when I saw his weight. He’s one I like.”
HORANTZAU D’AIRY (66-1)
“He has a lovely weight and loves jumping. If he gets in we’d like to take our chance on nicer ground with him.”
MACDERMOTT (50-1)
“We’d need a lot of luck to get in but after the way he ran in the Scottish Grand National last year I’d love to see him get into the race.”
SPANISH HARLEM (66-1)
“He would need a lot of luck to get in. We’d probably look to run him in the Topham, I’d say.”
1 I Am Maximus (FR) 9 11 12 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins 167
2 Royale Pagaille (FR) 11 11 9 Mrs S. Ricci Venetia Williams 164
3 Envoi Allen (FR) 11 11 8 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead 163
4 Grangeclare West (IRE) 9 11 8 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins 163
5 L’homme Presse (FR) 10 11 8 Dfa Racing (Pink, Edwards & Sharman) Venetia Williams 163
6 Nick Rockett (IRE) 8 11 8 Stewart & Sadie Andrew W. P. Mullins 163
7 Hewick (IRE) 10 11 7 Mr T. J. McDonald Tara Lee Cogan 162
8 Gentlemansgame (GB) 9 11 5 Robcour M. F. Morris 160
9 Inothewayurthinkin (IRE) 7 11 5 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell 160
10 Monty’s Star (IRE) 8 11 5 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead 160
11 The Real Whacker (IRE) 9 11 4 Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price Patrick Neville 159
12 Minella Indo (IRE) 12 11 3 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead 158
13 Appreciate It (IRE) 11 11 2 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins 157
14 Capodanno (FR) 9 11 2 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins 157
15 Conflated (IRE) 11 11 2 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott 157
16 Delta Work (FR) 12 11 2 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott 157
17 Minella Cocooner (IRE) 9 11 2 Mr David Bobbett W. P. Mullins 157
18 Stumptown (IRE) 8 11 2 Furze Bush Syndicate Gavin Cromwell 157
19 Beauport (IRE) 9 11 1 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies 156
20 Hitman (FR) 9 11 1 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls 156
21 Bravemansgame (FR) 10 11 0 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls 155
22 Chantry House (IRE) 11 10 13 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson 154
23 Galvin (IRE) 11 10 13 Mr R. A. Bartlett Gordon Elliott 154
24 Perceval Legallois (FR) 8 10 12 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell 153
25 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 10 10 12 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls 153
26 Fakir d’Oudairies (FR) 10 10 11 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O’Brien 152
27 Iroko (FR) 7 10 11 Mr John P. McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero 152
28 Kandoo Kid (FR) 9 10 11 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls 152
29 Trelawne (GB) 9 10 11 The Real Partnership Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls 152
30 Idas Boy (IRE) 11 10 10 Dozen Dreamers Richard Phillips 151
31 Intense Raffles (FR) 7 10 10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede T. Gibney 151
32 Limerick Lace (IRE) 8 10 10 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell 151
33 Senior Chief (GB) 8 10 10 Lucky In Life Syndicate Henry de Bromhead 151
34 Broadway Boy (IRE) 7 10 9 Mr D. M. Proos Nigel Twiston-Davies 150
35 Coko Beach (FR) 10 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott 150
36 Farouk d’Alene (FR) 10 10 9 Mr Justin Carthy Gary Brown 150
37 Fil Dor (FR) 7 10 9 Robcour Gordon Elliott 150
38 French Dynamite (FR) 10 10 9 Robcour M. F. Morris 150
39 Mr Incredible (IRE) 9 10 9 Mr J. Manclark Sandy Thomson 150
40 Stay Away Fay (IRE) 8 10 9 Bell, Lyons, Hill Paul Nicholls 150
41 Zanahiyr (IRE) 8 10 9 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott 150
42 Pinkerton (IRE) 9 10 8 Mr P. L. Polly Noel Meade 149
43 Meetingofthewaters (IRE) 8 10 7 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins 148
44 Minella Drama (IRE) 10 10 7 Green Day Racing Donald McCain 148
45 Velvet Elvis (IRE) 9 10 7 Mr D. Kierans Gavin Cromwell 148
46 Celebre d’Allen (FR) 13 10 6 Mr Allan Stennett Philip Hobbs & Johnson White 147
47 Fontaine Collonges (FR) 10 10 6 Mr P. Davies Venetia Williams 147
48 Horantzau d’Airy (FR) 8 10 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins 147
49 Hyland (FR) 8 10 6 The Ten From Seven Nicky Henderson 147
50 Monbeg Genius (IRE) 9 10 6 Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill 147
51 Vanillier (FR) 10 10 6 Mrs H. M. Keaveney Gavin Cromwell 147
52 Minella Crooner (IRE) 9 10 5 KTDA Racing/Nick Courtney/Cillian Moran Gordon Elliott 146
53 Quick Wave (FR) 12 10 5 Ms Sharon Kinsella Venetia Williams 146
54 Three Card Brag (IRE) 8 10 5 Patrick & Scott Bryceland, McNeill Family Gordon Elliott 146
55 Twig (GB) 10 10 5 Mrs G. Morgan Ben Pauling 146
56 Duffle Coat (IRE) 8 10 4 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott 145
57 Roi Mage (FR) 13 10 4 Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin 145
58 Shakem Up’arry (IRE) 11 10 4 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling 145
59 Fantastic Lady (FR) 10 10 3 Mr E. R. Hanbury Nicky Henderson 144
60 Favori de Champdou (FR) 10 10 3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott 144
61 Yeah Man (IRE) 8 10 3 John J. Brennan/Martin Hannan Gavin Cromwell 144
62 Chemical Energy (IRE) 9 10 2 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott 143
63 Macdermott (FR) 7 10 2 Gallagher Bloodstock Limited W. P. Mullins 143
64 Mister Coffey (FR) 10 10 2 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nicky Henderson 143
65 Mr Vango (IRE) 9 10 2 Cracker and Smodge Partnership Sara Bradstock 143
66 Bronn (IRE) 8 10 1 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede T. Gibney 142
67 Desertmore House (IRE) 10 10 1 O. B. P. Carroll/Anthony Vaughan Martin Brassil 142
68 Malina Girl (IRE) 8 10 1 Mrs J. M. Russell Gavin Cromwell 142
69 Richmond Lake (IRE) 9 10 1 Hemmings Racing Donald McCain 142
70 La Renommee (FR) 7 10 0 Upton House Stud Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole 141
71 King Turgeon (FR) 7 9 13 Somerset Racing David Pipe 140
72 Stuzzikini (IRE) 7 9 13 VCS Versatile Coating Specialist/F Foran Gordon Elliott 140
73 Cruz Control (FR) 8 9 12 Mr F Green and Mr J Chinn Tom Lacey 139
74 Surrey Quest (IRE) 8 9 12 Surrey Racing (SQ) Toby Lawes 139
75 Apple Away (IRE) 8 9 11 Old Gold Racing 14 Lucinda Russell 138
76 Busselton (FR) 8 9 11 Friendship Partnership Joseph Patrick O’Brien 138
77 Gevrey (FR) 9 9 11 Denis Gallagher Racing Gordon Elliott 138
78 Spanish Harlem (FR) 7 9 11 Dr S. P. Fitzgerald W. P. Mullins 138
79 The Goffer (IRE) 8 9 10 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott 137
80 Famous Bridge (IRE) 9 9 9 Hemmings Racing Nicky Richards 136
81 Copperhead (GB) 11 9 7 Mrs G. C. Pritchard Joe Tizzard 134
82 Escaria Ten (FR) 11 9 7 J B Property Investments (Midlands) Ltd Martin Keighley 134
83 Where It All Began (IRE) 9 9 7 McNeill Family/Patrick & Scott Bryceland Gordon Elliott 134
84 Git Maker (FR) 9 9 6 Sheep As A Lamb Syndicate Jamie Snowden 133
85 Gericault Roque (FR) 9 9 4 Prof. Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew David Pipe 131
86 Pats Fancy (IRE) 10 9 3 Hydes, McDermott, Spencer, Frobisher & Lee Rebecca Curtis 130
87 Placenet (FR) 8 9 3 Prof C Tisdall & G Thompson D. Cottin 130