I Am Maximus won the Grand National after Corach Rambler fell at the first fence.
Corach Rambler won the Grand National in 2023 and was considered one of the favorites to do it again and follow in the footsteps of Tiger Blood and Red Rum.
But a brutal first hurdle saw the 7-1 joint favorite lose his rider after a fall.
I Am Maximus, ridden by jockey Paul Townend, broke clear after the final hurdle to win by a distance, with Delta Work finishing second and Minella Indo third.
I Am Maximus’ victory also saw Willie Mullins claim his second Grand National winner, ending a 19-year long wait when Hedgehunter won in 2005.
Rachel Blackmore looked on course to win her second Grand National on Minella Indo.
READ MORE ABOUT THE GRAND NATIONAL
However, with 14 other horses chasing victory in an incredibly tense race, I Am Maximus emerged from the crowd to take victory.
Townend said: “What an incredible race and what an incredible horse. It’s a bit surreal, to be honest.
“I ended up being first and got to Melling Road and he backed off.
“He was careful on the second circuit but I was trying to save energy. I didn’t have the clearest route between the penultimate and the last.
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“I had those in front of me in my sights and he responded like I thought he would.
“The Gold Cups and Grade Ones are special, but the Grand Nationals are different. You need so much luck. I’m a lucky boy.”
Last year the Grand National was marred by protesters who managed to break onto the course to disrupt the race.
Once the unrest dissipated, Corach Rambler managed to claim victory.
But there would be no back-to-back victory for the Scottish-trained horse, with Tiger Roll being the last horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals in 2018 and 2019.
The legendary horse Red Rum was the last to achieve this feat, in 1973 and 1974.
Corach Rambler crashed early on in a huge shock, falling at the first obstacle and knocking over his rider in the process.
I Am Maximus won the Grand National after Corach Rambler fell at the first fence.
Corach Rambler won the Grand National in 2023 and was considered one of the favorites to do it again and follow in the footsteps of Tiger Blood and Red Rum.
But a brutal first hurdle saw the 7-1 joint favorite lose his rider after a fall.
I Am Maximus, ridden by jockey Paul Townend, broke clear after the final hurdle to win by a distance, with Delta Work finishing second and Minella Indo third.
I Am Maximus’ victory also saw Willie Mullins claim his second Grand National winner, ending a 19-year long wait when Hedgehunter won in 2005.
Rachel Blackmore looked on course to win her second Grand National on Minella Indo.
READ MORE ABOUT THE GRAND NATIONAL
However, with 14 other horses chasing victory in an incredibly tense race, I Am Maximus emerged from the crowd to take victory.
Townend said: “What an incredible race and what an incredible horse. It’s a bit surreal, to be honest.
“I ended up being first and got to Melling Road and he backed off.
“He was careful on the second circuit but I was trying to save energy. I didn’t have the clearest route between the penultimate and the last.
Most read in horse racing
“I had those in front of me in my sights and he responded like I thought he would.
“The Gold Cups and Grade Ones are special, but the Grand Nationals are different. You need so much luck. I’m a lucky boy.”
Last year the Grand National was marred by protesters who managed to break onto the course to disrupt the race.
Once the unrest dissipated, Corach Rambler managed to claim victory.
But there would be no back-to-back victory for the Scottish-trained horse, with Tiger Roll being the last horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals in 2018 and 2019.
The legendary horse Red Rum was the last to achieve this feat, in 1973 and 1974.
Corach Rambler crashed early on in a huge shock, falling at the first obstacle and knocking over his rider in the process.