Paul Townend is yet to make a decision on who he will ride in the 2026 Grand National. Willie Mullins‘ number one jockey has an unenviable selection of potential mounts at Aintree.
Townend has ridden I Am Maximus for the past two seasons in the National. They were victorious in 2024, then chased home stablemate Nick Rockett last year. However, even though the top-weight is favourite to regain his crown this time around, Townend has other potential options.
His decision rests between I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West. The latter is also challenging towards the top of the betting. He was third last year, and won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse recently. That race has been the springboard for I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett’s successes in the last two years.
In the 2025 Grand National, only half-a-length separated the above pair. Despite winning the race last season, Nick Rockett is not an option, with Patrick Mullins likely to be aboard the defending champion.
“You really have to try to take sentiment out of it” – Townend
Townend has an excellent record when partnering Grangeclare West. In six rides aboard the former Grade 1 winner, he has won five times.
Nevertheless, it was I Am Maximus who he guided to glory at Aintree two years ago. That remains one of his best memories in the saddle, but the decision will be made by head not heart.
“Somebody asked me the other day who I’d be riding and whether there was a decision to be made, and my response was – in these big races, there is always a decision to be made,” Townend wrote on his Betway blog, via At The Races.
“I Am Maximus gave me one of my greatest days in the saddle here two years ago, but there wouldn’t be much between him and Grangeclare West on the face of it, so you really have to try and take sentiment out of it.”
History is on the line for Townend’s boss in the 2026 Grand National. Mullins would equal the record for most wins in the race with four if sending out the winner this season. He would also become only the second trainer to win three editions in the row after Vincent O’Brien.
As such, Townend wants to be aboard the winner should it happen. Should he believe Grangeclare West is the better option as the race approaches, then the difficult choice will be made.
“It’s probably a decision that I’ll leave as late as possible, as I’d say the ground will have a big bearing on it. We can’t get ahead of ourselves, though, and we just have to try and get both horses to Aintree fit and firing, and if we can do that, then they both go there with big chances once again.”