As Willie Mullins also became the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to win three successive editions of the Aintree spectacular.
In a race with plenty of early drama that saw last year’s third Grangeclare West part company with Patrick Mullins – who won last year aboard Nick Rockett – at the first, and Panic Attack fall at the third, I Am Maximus tracked the inside path he knows so well in the hands of Paul Townend.
As the race began to develop, Ben Jones made a bold bid to supplement his King George win on The Jukebox Man aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans after two out – but a JP McManus-owned challenge was looming and it was the heavily-backed 9-2 favourite who stormed home best from the elbow to win the race for a second time, having also finished second 12 months ago.
It was a record fourth win in the race for McManus, who also saw his Iroko (18-1) go two places better than last year for second – another first in the race for one owner to have the first two home. Jordans (28-1) was third, with Johnnywho (12-1) fourth.
Several bookmakers were paying six places on each-way bets as a concession. High Class Hero (66-1) finished fifth, with Favori De Champdou (40-1) sixth.
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