Paul Townend added a Grand National title to his Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph thanks to a wonderful ride atop I Am Maximus who stormed to victory down the home straight at Aintree in the biggest horse race in Great Britain.

With new rules in place for the 176th outing of the Grand National, to improve safety for the jockeys and horses racing, the 32-horse field went off from a standing start. Outsider Glengouly burst forward as they headed to the first fence where 2023 champion Corach Rambler unseated Derek Fox to blow the race wide open.

I Am Maximus, trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, set off as the 7/1 joint favourite but was quiet throughout the opening stages of the race with Townend preferring to hold him in the middle of the field. Up ahead, the pack spread over the course allowing Glengouly to set the pace as pre-race contenders, Limerick Lace and Noble Yeats, slipped towards the back struggling to find their rhythm.

As the favourite going into the Grand National, I Am Maximus will be popular winner with the spectators and punters:

I Am Maximus jockey Paul Townend, speaking to ITV: “He got a little fright in the race but he got his confidence back. I thought he’d pick up for me and he duly obliged. It was very special and he was very brave. It’s unique, it hasn’t really set in. It’s what every young boy with a pony wants to do.”

I Am Maximus trainer Willie Mullins, speaking to ITV: “I was more confident looking at Paul’s [Townend] body language. I thought he was a little bit far back and he was rubbing the fences but Paul’s body language told me he’s happy.

“Aintree is the first race you see, it’s the first race everyone in racing wants to see. Fantastic stuff, you just couldn’t make it up.”

Grand National 2024 result

5 – Kitty’s Light – 12/1

6 – Ain’t That A Shame – 40/1

7 – Meetingofthewaters – 11/1

8 – Galia Des Liteaux – 28/1

I Am Maximus owner JP McManus, speaking to ITV: “I love everything about the race. I love Liverpool, I love coming here. It’s a very special race amongst special people.”

Winning jockey Paul Townend on ITV Racing: “What an unbelievable race and an unbelievable horse. It is a bit surreal, to be honest.

“I ended up being first to the first and got to the Melling Road and he backed back.

“He got careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve energy. I didn’t get the clearest run between the second-last and last.

“I had the ones in front of me in my sights and he responded like I thought he would

“Gold Cups and Grade Ones are special but Grand Nationals are different. You need so much luck. I am a lucky boy.”

Two-time Grand National winner, Ruby Walsh, speaking to ITV: “Mr Incredible was really reluctant to start but unfortunately he is Mr Unreliable. Corach Rambler overjumps the first and Derek was over his ears. Not like him.

“Delta Work was never too far away from I Am Maximus and Minella Indo too, they’re the first three home.

“What was great to watch was the space all of the riders gave each other.

“Noble Yeats never really going. It’s his third attempt of the race but he’ll have another day. Mahler Mission also never really got into a flow.”