I AM MAXIMUS wins the 2024 Grand National
I AM MAXIMUS wins the 2024 Grand National

I Am Maximus was an emphatic winning favourite of the Randox Grand National, storming clear of his rivals to give the all-conquering Willie Mullins a second victory in the Aintree showpiece. Successful with Hedgehunter 19 years ago, Mullins was responsible for eight of the 32 who headed to post in Liverpool, but I Am Maximus was well-touted to follow up last year’s success in the Irish Grand National. An impressive tune-up in the Bobbyjo Chase saw punters latch onto the Grade One-winning eight-year-old and Paul Townend rode the 7-1 market leader with supreme confidence down the inner as I Am Maximus showed no sign of previous jumping frailties. In a race with early drama when defending champion Corach Rambler unshipped Derek Fox at the very first fence, there were a plethora still in contention heading down to two out, where I Am Maximus was inching into contention. However, the complexion of the race would change at the elbow where I Am Maximus scooted clear of the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Minella Indo and the staying-on Delta Work, who picked up second place in his third attempt at the famous race. It was a first Grand National triumph for Townend, while owner JP McManus was striking at Aintree for the third time after Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021). Mullins said: “It was an excellent ride. I had said before the race that we didn’t know how good this horse was, today he showed that he’s better than he had been. I thought he still had a little bit from the handicapper after the Bobbyjo and he’s proved it today. “Paul was excellent, he kidded him round the inside, he got chopped up a couple of times and probably didn’t jump as clean as he could, but he was looking for the gaps and when he eventually got it he was all right. “I could see Paul’s body language and he was happy, so I was happy then. I don’t think I said anything until he got over the last and then I let go (and gave him a cheer). “He’s a tremendous horse. He has his own way of doing things, he’s quirky and immature but he’s learning all the time. It’s extraordinary how we came to have him. Nicky Henderson had him before me, Michael Grech moved his horses to Ireland and Nicky said to me ‘make sure you get him’ and it was fine advice. Nicky could see the talent that he had and we just had to nurture it, so thanks to Nicky and also Henrietta Knight who organised all that. “To win an Irish National and an English National is impressive. “I think he could be a Gold Cup horse, but we don’t know how good he could be because he doesn’t do it at home. He’s quirky, but he has huge ability and until others get the better of him, we won’t know how good he is.” First prize in the National is £500,000 – a sum which firmly puts Mullins in the driving seat for the British trainers’ title, with both Ladbrokes and Betfair making the Closutton handler an odds-on shot against Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls. Mullins added: “Now we’ve won the National we’ll have to give it a good go, we are there with a chance so we might see you all in Sandown, Perth, Ayr – where is there! “I’m buzzing here now at the moment and it’s huge. As far as I know our team is back in full order with no injuries or anything and I’m happy that we have a full compliment of horses and riders coming back in.” A jubilant Townend said: “At halfway he was a bit careful with his jumping, but we just built his confidence back up again and then going over the last two I had the four horses in front of me that I wanted in front of me. I was hoping when I pulled him out that he’d pick up and go and he did. “This is a special place, you grew up building Grand National fences built out of whatever you could get your hands on. It’s a dream to win it. You build a course and your ponies probably know when it’s National time as you’d have the green fences out! It’s just a race that captures the imagination. “The feeling passing the line is up there with the best I’ve had, but it’s a different feeling. Grade Ones are extra special and tactical and in the Irish National and English National you need a bit of luck, the feeling winning this is unique. “It’s a special feeling when they start picking up passing the elbow. You honestly don’t hear any of the noise from the crowd, at that stage you’re in full drive and you’re not thinking of anything other than getting to the lollipop stick (winning post) before something passes you.” #horseracing #horse #horses Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4 Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME



REKAP ⚾️ Cubs 9-8 Loss to the Padres - Management: Your bullpen isn’t good enough!
REKAP ⚾️ Cubs 9-8 Loss to the Padres - Management: Your bullpen isn’t good enough!

What was that? The Cubs were blowing out the Padres 8-0 halfway through the 6th inning. Javier Assad had pitched well but then ...



Bruno Scores From The Halfway Line 🤯 | Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool | Highlights
Bruno Scores From The Halfway Line 🤯 | Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool | Highlights

Watch the key moments from our 2-2 draw against Liverpool. You won't want to miss Bruno Fernandes's halfway line strike and Kobbie Mainoo's first goal at Old Trafford 👏 ▶️ Subscribe to Manchester United on YouTube at http://bit.ly/ManU_YT 📲 Download the Man Utd app: http://manutd.co/F4c 💻 Visit Manchester United: http://www.manutd.com 🛒 Shop your favourite United attire: https://bit.ly/3s9uTW7 #MUFC



The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral - Wednesday, March 27, 2024
The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral - Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Let's talk football! Alabama is at the halfway point of its spring practice period so let's discuss what we heard yesterday inside the ...



Penn State football storylines halfway through spring practice
Penn State football storylines halfway through spring practice

Penn State football is through seven of 15 spring practices and we're fresh off the field with feedback from coaches and players on ...



Darío Osorio | 12 000 Kilometers Away From Home
Darío Osorio | 12 000 Kilometers Away From Home

At the age of 19, Darío Osorio left his home country and moved halfway across the globe to play for FC Midtjylland. We present you with an in-depth portrait of the talented youngster, who, after already scoring five goals for FCM, yesterday scored his first international goal for Chile against France. Darío Osorio | A 12.000 kilómetros de casa A sus 19 años, Darío Osorio salió de su país y se mudó a Dinamarca para jugar con FC Midtjylland. Les presentamos una extensa charla con nuestro talentoso atacante, quien luego de haber anotado cinco goles para FCM esta temporada, marcó anoche su primer tanto con la Selección Chilena ante Francia. Follow us on every platform to stay up to date with FCM: YouTube: https://youtube.com/fcmidtjylland Facebook: https://facebook.com/fcmidtjylland/ X: https://x.com/fcmidtjylland Instagram: https://instagram.com/fcmidtjylland/ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@fcmidtjylland Tickets: https://billetsalg.fcm.dk




« Previous Next »


Popular Tags

#Anthony Davis  #Neymar  #Ronaldinho  #Paul Pogba  #Lionel Messi  #Goal Celebrations  #Shaquille O'Neal  #Cleveland Cavaliers  #Paul Pogba  #Shaquille O'Neal  

Popular Users

#akshaykumar  #StephenCurry30  #rolopez42  #steveaustinBSR  #BizNasty2point0  #neymarjr  #Drake  #SrBachchan  #jadande  #BMcCarthy32  #MariaSharapova  #RSherman_25  #ATLHawks  #selenagomez  #elonmusk