Grand National 2026 LIVE: I Am Maximus claims historic win in dramatic style at Aintree

I Am Maximus, the 9/2 favourite, became the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s to regain the Grand National title having lost it
I Am Maximus has won the Grand National to emulate the legendary Red Rum at Aintree .

The 9/2 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend , reclaimed the crown he took in 2024, having been runner-up to 33/1 shot Nick Rockett last year, and is the first horse since Red Rum in the 1970s to regain the Grand National title having lost it.

Jordans, a 28/1 outsider under Ben Jones, had the lead following the final hurdle, but I Am Maximus reeled in his advantage while loose horses also ran towards the line.

Iroko (18/1) was second with Jordans third and Johnnywho (12/1) fourth.

There has been sad news already at Aintree this week however, with Gold Dancer being put down moments after breaking his back while winning the Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Friday and Get On George similarly being “humanely euthanised” after pulling up in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle this afternoon.

Follow all the action from the Grand National at Aintree with our blog below:
Ruby Walsh lauds Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins became the first trainer since the 1960s to win three Grand Nationals in a row and Ruby Walsh was waxing lyrical about the Irishman in his post-race analysis
I Am Maximus makes racing history with victory in chaotic 2026 Grand National
I Am Maximus etched his name in Grand National folklore after winning the famous race for a second time, adding 2026 to his 2024 triumph.

A chaotic race was disrupted by loose horses all over the Aintree course, but Paul Townend has been here before and he masterfully steered I Am Maximus through the traffic to victory, pegging back Jordans, ridden by Ben Jones, in the final furlong.

History was written in myriad ways.

I Am Maximus is the first horse to regain the title since Red Rum, having come up short to stablemate Nick Rockett last year.

Willie Mullins becomes the first trainer to record three successive Grand National winners since the great Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s.

JP McManus becomes the first owner to have four winners, and Mullins gave McManus plenty of credit.

Read Lawrence Ostlere’s full report of the race:
Who won the Grand National 2026?

WATCH: ‘He’s so good’: I Am Maximus wins Grand National for second time
What a moment for I Am Maximus, as the 2024 winner manages to claim the Grand National for a second time
Grand National 2026 - result in full
Here’s the full result from the 2026 Grand National - with the outcome for every horse.

IN PICTURES: I Am Maximus wins the 2026 Grand National
An incredible day for I Am Maximus and all his connections
Positive update on Top Of The Bill
A positive update from presenter Ed Chamberlin on ITV on Top Of The Bill.

He was one of the fallers and was being assessed on the course by the veterinary team, which is often a bad sign, but the horse is now up and walking back to the stables.

That’s very good news.

The jockey in the worst shape was Robert Dunne on Stellar Story.

The update on Dunne is that he’s conscious and talking and will be taken to hospital for further assessment.

Willie Mullins: 'Maybe the Grand National is changing'
Willie Mullins has also talked to ITV after becoming the first trainer since Vincent O'Brien between 1963 and 1965 to win the Grand National three years in a row.

I Am Maximus is also the first top weight horse to win this race since Red Rum back in 1974 and Mullins believes the race might be changing.

“The most trouble came from its own stable,” said Mullins.

“Paul [jockey Paul Townend] executed it so good.

It is [very hard to win off top weight].

But it is changing, maybe we need to look at it.

It’s very tough.

“It’s the one we aspire to win when we go into racing.

The one you want to win, just to have a runner in it.”
Paul Townend salutes I Am Maximus
Jockey Paul Townend spoke to ITV after that remarkable victory on I Am Maximus.

“He’s tough isn’t he!

He’s so good, he’s got such an engine.

He gallops to the end of the world for you,” said Townend.

“It’s a privilege to do it.

What a horse.

“This win is right up there.

It's Grand Nationals and Gold Cups, they're the pinnacle of our sport.

I’ve got them both!”
Top Of The Bill being assessed on course
Now for the darker side of the Grand National.

We await news of the horses and jockeys who either fell or were pulled up during the race.

The most concern seems to be for Top Of The Bill, with presenter Ed Chamberlin announcing on ITV that he is being assessed on the course.

We’ll await further updates but that’s often a phrase that precedes a horse being put down.

Meanwhile, Quai De Bourbon has walked on to a horse ambulance and been taken to the stables for further assessment.

Not only is I Am Maximus the first horse since Red Rum to regain the Grand National crown having lost it but he matches the racing legend in another.

He is the first top weight horse to win the Grand National since Red Rum back in 1974.

It is also a third consecutive Grand National winner for trainer Willie Mullins, the first trainer since Vincent O'Brien between 1963 and 1965 to win this race three years in a row.

And finally, JP McManus becomes the first owner in Grand National history to record four winners.

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