I Am Maximus Aims for Grand National History as Iroko Heads the Betting
I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins and owned by JP McManus, is preparing to run in the Randox Grand national, hoping to become the ninth horse to win the race multiple times. Last year, the 10-year-old finished second, beaten by stablemates Nick Rockett and grangeclare West.
The horse will carry 11st 12lb, a significant weight. Notably, no horse carrying top weight has won the world’s greatest steeplechase as Red Rum’s third victory in 1974.
Currently, Iroko is the favorite with approximate odds of 11-2. Iroko finished fourth as favorite in last year’s race, completing a one-two-three finish for Mullins. The horse has been allotted 11st 1lb.I Am Maximus is next in the betting at 12-1,followed by Haiti Couleurs at 14-1. Other contenders include Panic Attack and Nick Rockett (both at 16-1), Grangeclare West and Monty’s Star (both at 20-1), Lecky Watson and Captain Cody (both at 22-1), and oscars brother at 25-1.
British Horseracing Authority handicapper Martin Greenwood highlighted the high caliber of competition, stating, “Last year, the first three horses home were all rated 160-plus [in pounds], and the Randox Grand National is the highest-class handicap of the season.” He added that a successful run for I Am maximus would likely result in the highest winning mark in the modern era. neptune Collonges was rated 168 after winning in 2012, and Suny Bay was second off 170 in 1998. Greenwood also noted that I am Maximus’s second-place finish last year was a “great modern performance” comparable to Tiger Roll’s second win in 2019.
Nick Rockett, who won last year’s Grand National at 33-1, has faced setbacks preventing consistent running since his victory.
Other Mullins-trained horses with high weights include Grangeclare West (11st 10lb),Impaire Et Passe (11st 5lb),Spanish Harlem (11st 3lb),and Lecky Watson (11st 2lb).Last season’s King George winner, Banbridge (11st 11lb), and Haiti Couleurs (11st 10lb) are also among the leading contenders.