Defending champion Maximus leads 57 in National contention

Last year’s winner I Am Maximus heads the confirmations for Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree.

Willie Mullins’ nine-year-old was a hugely-impressive winner 12 months ago and will attempt to add his name to an elite list who have won the race more than once.

Champion trainer Mullins has his usual strong team, with Thyestes and Bobbyjo Chase winner Nick Rockett and the Cheveley Park-owned Grangeclare West also towards the top of the weights.

Appreciate It, Minella Cocooner and Meetingofthewaters are also set to represent Mullins, with Capodanno his only horse in the top 34 not confirmed on Monday morning.

The others who were guaranteed a run but have not taken up the option are L’Homme Presse, Minella Drama and Velvet Elvis, with the last-named horse trained by Gavin Cromwell.

He will still be strongly represented though with Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois and Vanillier, who finished second in 2023.

Former King George winner Hewick, last year’s third and 2021 Gold Cup hero Minella Indo and Intense Raffles, Tom Gibney’s seven-year-old who won the Irish National last season, are also among a typically strong Irish contingent.

Paul Nicholls has five contenders as he goes in search of a second win in the race, with Kandoo Kid, Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Hitman and Stay Away Fay among the 57 horses to stand their ground.

Iroko has been aimed at the race all season by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Beauport will sport the colours of Bryan and Philippa Burrough, whose Corbiere created a slice of National history when Jenny Pitman became the first successful female trainer in 1983.

Broadway Boy is another for the Twiston-Davies team despite being pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time.

Following the withdrawals, Celebre d’Allen, Three Card Brag and Twig are now guaranteed a run in the 34-runner field.

Asked if he was relieved to be assured of a spot, Twig’s trainer Ben Pauling said: “Very much so. It’s brilliant. It’s been the aim for his whole season really.

“He’s going to go there as an exciting horse and lively outsider, as I would maybe describe it.

“It’s not like it used to be. It’s now more a race where a lot of very good horses are featuring in the first three or four and I’m not sure we’ve got an abundance in hand, but the National’s an extraordinary trip and an extraordinary test.

“So you’re never going to know how they take to it – if they take to it and they get into a good rhythm, I think he’ll stay very well and he seems in good order.”

A decision has still to be made on who takes the 34th and final spot between Duffle Coat, Shakem Up’Arry and Roi Mage, who are all due to carry 10st 4lb.

The place will go to the horse with the highest current handicap mark and if two or more have the same, a random ballot will take place. There will also be four reserves.