Grand National: I Am Maximus to shoulder top weight at Aintree

Willie Mullins is under no illusions about the task facing I Am Maximus after he was allotted top weight ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the Randox Grand National.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was a brilliant winner of the Aintree feature last season under Paul Townend, but will have to carry 11st 12lb to victory if he is to repeat the feat on 5 April.

Since his heroics of last season, I Am Maximus has twice competed against his dual Gold Cup-winning stablemate Galopin Des Champs, pulling up in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas before finishing eighth in the Irish Gold Cup earlier this month.

Mullins, who first claimed Grand National glory with Hedgehunter in 2005, hopes the nine-year-old can get his season up and running in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse later this month, but admits it will be "tough" for the nine-year-old to successfully defend his Grand National crown.

"It was huge to win it last year for the second time. I felt very spoilt winning a second Grand National," said the British and Irish champion trainer.

"It’s top weight and it’s tough but we had an idea that it would be tough. He’ll probably run in the Bobbyjo and we’ll see how he is.

"He likes the track. Sometimes when horses go back a second time they don’t like it and we’ve got all that to take into account. Horses go round it once and the second time it can be different, but he had a good experience last year and I’m hoping that it won’t be a problem."

I AM MAXIMUS flies home like a SERIOUS horse to win the Randox Grand National!

The horse they call Moo Moo at home ❤️