The quest for immortality returns to Aintree this Saturday and the spotlight is firmly fixed on a horse attempting one of the rarest feats in sporting history. Mullins’ I Am Maximus headlines Grand National field of 34 declared runners, stepping back onto the hallowed turf with a goal that transcends a simple victory: the emulation of the legendary Red Rum.
To understand the gravity of the task, one must look back to the 1970s. Red Rum, the icon of the Aintree steeplechase, secured wins in 1973 and 1974, suffered setbacks with second-place finishes in 1975 and 1976, before capturing a historic third title in 1977. Since that era, no horse has managed to win the world’s most famous steeplechase, lose the crown, and then regain it.
For I Am Maximus, the path has been equally dramatic. The Willie Mullins-trained star claimed victory two years ago under jockey Paul Townend, but his bid to grow the first dual winner since Tiger Roll was thwarted in 2025, when he was beaten by stablemate Nick Rockett. Now, in a bid for redemption, the horse will sport cheekpieces for only the second time in his career—a tactical adjustment last seen in December 2022—as he attempts to reclaim his throne.
A Power Play from the Mullins Stable
Willie Mullins is not merely banking on a single star. The master trainer has assembled a formidable contingent, treating the Randox Grand National as a strategic operation. Alongside the previous two winners, Mullins has entered a deep roster designed to cover every possible ground condition and pace scenario.
The Mullins entries include Grangeclare West, who impressed with a third-place finish last year, and Spanish Harlem, owned by Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, the founder and owner of the race sponsor, Randox. The stable’s reach extends further with Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, High Class Hero, Captain Cody, and Quai De Bourbon all declared to run.
The ownership influence of JP McManus also looms large over the field. In addition to I Am Maximus, McManus has two significant chances in the form of Iroko—who finished fourth last year—and stablemate Jagwar, both trained by the partnership of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. McManus further bolsters his UK-trained presence with Johnnywho, a winner at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Pursuit of a Triple Crown
While the headlines focus on the Mullins camp, another narrative of historic proportions is unfolding with the entry of Haiti Couleurs. Trained by Rebecca Curtis, the horse is chasing a feat that has never been achieved: winning the Welsh National, the Irish National, and the Aintree Grand National.
The horse’s ambition is backed by a strong Irish contingent that traditionally dominates the race. The presence of Banbridge, Gerri Colombe, Firefox, Monty’s Star, and Oscars Brother ensures that the “Green Army” remains a primary threat to the local favorites.
The £100 Fairytale
Amidst the multi-million pound operations and global sponsorships, the Grand National still finds room for the romantic underdog. Twig, trained by Ben Pauling, represents the quintessential “people’s horse.” Purchased for a mere £100, Twig finished 10th last year and saw his prospects reignited following a successful Becher Chase run earlier this season.
Adding to the emotional weight of the entry, Twig will be ridden by Beau Morgan, the 21-year-aged son of the horse’s owner. Pauling believes a change in tactics could be the key to improving on last year’s result.
“He ran well in the race last year when he was ridden to come home well, but I don’t think the plan was to be quite so far back,” Pauling said. “If we can acquire him into a rhythm closer to the pace, as it’s much harder these days to come from off the pace, that would be better.”
Pauling remains realistic but hopeful, noting that any finish inside the top 10 would be a success, though he believes the horse could be “there with a shout two out” if the ground and fences align. “He’s very much a fairytale National story,” Pauling added, citing the low purchase price and the father-son connection.
Final Field Logistics
The declaration stage has seen the field reach its maximum capacity of 34 runners, with no withdrawals recorded at the 72-hour mark. However, the final lineup remains subject to a slight shuffle. Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower is currently declared for both the National and Thursday’s Racing Welfare Bowl Chase.
Should Spillane’s Tower opt for the Thursday race, Pied Piper—the first of six reserves—would step in as the 34th runner, marking Gordon Elliott’s sixth entry in the race. According to official race protocols, the deadline for reserves to enter the final field is 1 p.m. On Friday.
| Horse | Trainer | Primary Goal/Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| I Am Maximus | Willie Mullins | Emulate Red Rum’s win-loss-win sequence |
| Haiti Couleurs | Rebecca Curtis | Complete Welsh, Irish, and Aintree National treble |
| Twig | Ben Pauling | The £100 “Fairytale” run with owner’s son |
| Iroko | O. Greenall / J. Guerriero | Improve on last year’s fourth-place finish |
With the field set and the narratives locked, the racing world now turns to the weather and the final gallops. The next critical checkpoint will be Friday afternoon, when the final non-runner declarations will solidify the 34 horses that will face the daunting fences of Aintree.
Do you think I Am Maximus can pull off the Red Rum miracle? Share your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on social media.
