For all that the Grand National is a different spectacle than it used to be, the emotional side of winning Aintree’s biggest race certainly hasn’t changed. You just had to hear the interviews with successful jockey and trainer, Paul Townend and Willie Mullins, post-race to see that.I Am Maximus did it again.
The ninth dual winner of the Grand National, I Am Maximus has entered the list of greats by achieving what was considered unachievable for a long period of time. Only three horses since 1936 have won multiple editions of the most famous jumps race in the calendar, and, but for stablemate Nick Rockett denying him in 2025, he was almost in the realms of Red Rum with three glorious victories.
Considering the welfare changes made to field and fence sizes, it was a surprisingly dramatic Grand National with seven fallers and seven unseats, which included the heavily punted pair of Grangeclare West and Panic Attack, both of whom departed early on. But jumping is the name of the game, and when you saw the white cap of Townend progressing up the field with two fences to go, the result was almost inevitable.
Given its unique characteristics, the Grand National often attracts the same horses year-on-year and analysing the performances of those who ran this season is a good starting point in a bid to find the winner in 2027.
Out of those who completed, I Am Maximus (winner), Iroko (second), Jordans (third) and Gorgeous Tom (ninth) are the horses that interest me most for the race in 12 months time. I thought Iroko ran particularly well on ground that would have been fast enough for him, and obviously stamina is his forte, which provides him with a nice edge over some of his compatriots. He will be a wise-guy horse once again next season after a similar preparation.
A lot has been made about the ride on Jordans, who put in a 27.23s two-furlong split from the fifth-last fence. That sectional is significant given only one other horse clocked under 28 seconds for that period of the race. Jockey Ben Jones obviously had a rush to the head (largely understandable given the circumstance) and asked his mount for too much effort too soon, which Jordans paid for in the final furlong.
Gorgeous Tom, on the other hand, wasn’t sighted at the end of the race as he crossed the line 42 lengths behind the winner. However, he was badly hampered twice on the first circuit and was virtually eased off towards the finish, suggesting he performed much better than his losing margin suggests. Don't give up on him.
I’m also very keen to bet Captain Cody at 66/1 for this race next year. The data may suggest that he jumped poorly, but I’m firmly of the belief that he made just one notable mistake of his own doing, which came at the Chair. He was then hampered by loose horses on three occasions, and it was a rather soft unseat that eventually saw him exit the race four-out. Off a similar mark next year, he would be an interesting contender.
Harry and Joe late to the party
The undercard races at Aintree may not have the same feel as their counterparts at the Cheltenham Festival, but they’re great to review with an eye to betting horses back next season.
The Debenhams Handicap Hurdle on Thursday, a race for conditional and amateur jockeys, is a prime example of that. As expected in contests of this ilk, the early pace was fierce and some of the more experienced riders decided to take back in the field in order to conserve energy. The issue with that decision is that it was extremely difficult to make up ground at Aintree last week, even if the pace was hot.
Four horses caught my eye with finishing efforts from way off the pace in this event. Star Of Guiting and The Mighty Celt made good late headway, but I was particularly encouraged by the final furlongs from Harry Lowes (third) and No Ordinary Joe (seventh). The former arguably should have won the race had he not made a mistake at the third-last hurdle.
That pair clocked final furlongs of 14.99s and 15.11s respectively - the two fastest in the field - and would be of serious interest off their current marks in similarly competitive heats next time on a fairer racetrack to closers.
Sinnatra might do it My Way next season
Friday’s Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle was thought to be a penalty kick for Supreme runner-up Sober Glory, but he fluffed his lines and only finished fourth. Cheltenham exertions often show up at Aintree, and that was probably the case here given his lacklustre effort.
The race was instead won by Storming George, who provided Neil King with his first Grade 1 success. He powered through the line with a closing furlong of 14.88s, over three lengths quicker than any other horse in the field. With proven stamina over further, this race set up perfectly for him.
However, it’s runner-up Sinnatra who I want to follow next season. A big and scopey son of Walk In The Park, this Dan Skelton trainee looks to have an excellent future ahead of him over fences and I’m very hopeful that he will be campaigned with the 2027 Arkle in mind.
Sinnatra’s jumping of hurdles has improved drastically and he certainly has the scope to be better over the bigger obstacles. He also has the top speed capabilities, proven by his clocking of 34.85mph on Friday, which was the fastest of any runner in the field. He seems tactically versatile and should improve into his six-year-old campaign. His 25/1 Arkle quote is fascinating.
