Grand National 2025 preview: I Am Maximus seeks second win in Aintree race

I Am Maximus would be the first runner to carry top weight to victory since triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s, and only one horse – Tiger Roll in 2019 – has defended their title since then.

“He’s in great shape and I’m very happy with him,” said Mullins, who also has Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West towards the top of the weights.

Gavin Cromwell is set to run Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois and 2023 runner-up Vanillier.

Bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800 and won the King George VI Chase in 2023, will be saddled by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon.

“He’s a horse of a lifetime and no one will ever have a horse like him,” said Hanlon. who plans to take his horse to the local pub to celebrate if he wins.

The Irish contingent also includes last year’s third-place finisher and 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, as well as 2024 Irish Grand National victor Intense Raffles.

Gordon Elliott’s team will be led by Three Card Brag, the mount of Sean Bowen, who is on the verge of becoming British champion jockey despite being allergic to horse hair.

Approximate odds: 6-1 I Am Maximus, 8-1 Iroko, Stumptown, 11-1 Hewick, Perceval Legallois, 12-1 Intense Raffles, Vanillier, Minella Cocooner, 20-1 Bar