Willie Mullins‘ number one rider Paul Townend will partner I Am Maximus for the third time in the Grand National.
The pair waltzed to glory in the 2024 edition before finishing a game runner-up last year. It appeared a formality that Townend would be aboard again, but plenty of Closutton inmates have made cases. None have done so more than Grangeclare West, the Bobbyjo Chase winner, who was third a year ago.
Townend himself admitted the decision was not a completely straightforward one this term. However, ultimately a place in Grand National folklore was too difficult to ignore. He will be aboard I Am Maximus, a Grade 1 runner-up this season and set to carry top-weight just as he did last term season.
“He goes there in good shape” – Berry
JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry was the one who confirmed the jockey update. McManus is set to have a strong numerical team for this year’s Grand National. However, I Am Maximus is still undoubtedly the headline name.
“Paul will definitely ride I Am Maximus,” Berry reported to the Racing Post. “I Am Maximus has been there and done that and is in great form, and he’s run well this year. You need a bit of luck, but he goes there in good shape.”
With as many as six horses set to carry the McManus colours though, Berry has been busy organising riding plans. This is especially prevalent given the half-dozen are trained by five different yards.
However, Berry confirmed plans for every horse, with the race nearing. There remains only some uncertainty regarding Spillane’s Tower’s participation.
“Mark (Walsh) will be on Jagwar and Daniel King will be on Oscars Brother. Harry (Cobden) will probably ride Perceval Legallois but we’re probably going to declare Spillane’s Tower for the National in case of the ground on Thursday. Those two are a bit up in the air at the minute, but Harry will more than likely be on Perceval Legallois.”
The only name missing is Iroko, with Jonjo O’Neill Jr set to ride as he did last year. Meanwhile, this will be Mark Walsh’s final Grand National as JP McManus’ retained rider.
That position will soon be taken by Harry Cobden, who, as Berry mentioned, is likely to be jocked up on either Perceval Legallois or Spillane’s Tower. Paul Nicholls, for whom Cobden remains number one this season, will not be saddling a runner in the 2026 Grand National.