English/Ire
I Am Maximus tops Grand National weights once more
I Am Maximus heads the weights for the Randox Grand National for the second year in a row.
Owned by JP McManus and trained by Willie Mullins, I Am Maximus, who holds an official rating of 168, has been handed 11st 12lb after the weights were unveiled in Liverpool this afternoon.
I Am Maximus carried 11st 6lb to success in 2024 but found stablemate Nick Rockett too strong when carrying 11st 12lb twelve months ago. Nick Rockett has been handed 11st 11lb, 3lb higher than what he carried to victory last year, while the Joseph O'Brien-trained 2025 King George VI Chase winner and 2026 runner-up Banbridge has also been allotted 11st 11lb.
Martin Greenwood, BHA Chase Handicapper for races staged over 2m 7f and further, is handicapping the Randox Grand National for the eighth time in 2026.
He said: "This year's race really stands out in terms of quality. Although entries are slightly down overall, it's at the bottom end where trainers are now realising there is no point in entering as they have no chance of getting in.
"The number of horses rated 150 plus is the same as last year - 41 - so the quality is still there for all to see.
"Last year, the first three horses' home were all rated 160-plus, and the Randox Grand National is the highest-class handicap of the season.
"The 2024 winner I Am Maximus is only a pound higher than last year at 168 and if successful for a second time on April 11th that would almost certainly be the highest mark a horse has won off in the modern era. Neptune Collonges was rated 168 after he won the Grand National in 2012 and Suny Bay was second off of 170 in 1998.
"For I Am Maximus to be second off 167 last year was one of the great modern performances in the Grand National and up there with Tiger Roll's second win in 2019.
Clear ante-post market leader Iroko (157) finished fourth last season carrying 10st 11lb and will have 11st 1lb this season.
"We'd like a bit less, but we'll take that, definitely!" said Josh Guerriero, who trains the horse in partnership with Oli Greenall.
"It's just frustrating that we've just snuck up a couple since the Firefox run (Iroko beat Firefox in the Howden Graduation Chase at Ascot in December). I feel like they've stolen those two off us, but we can't do much about that.
"He seems like he's improved more at home than he's gone up, to me, so he's got a lovely weight and is guaranteed a run. I just pray that it's softer ground.
"He's in great form. This season, since he's had his wind op, he seems a lot better and straighter and happier. I'm not sure whether we're going to Kelso or Cheltenham yet but one more run and we'll be there.
"We opted against going to Kempton (for the Ladbrokes Trophy this weekend). Just speaking to JP there, he'd rather not. I think the most likely option is that we'll go to Kelso again. It seemed to work last year, although from the Ultima to the Grand National is four and a half weeks which is enough time as well. I would really fancy him in that, but I think we've got to go the easiest route really, which is probably going to be Kelso."
Other notable entries from Willie Mullins include Grangeclare West (11st 10lb), who finished third when Mullins saddled the first five home last season, Impaire Et Passe (11st 5lb), Spanish Harlem (11st 3lb) and Lecky Watson (11st 2lb), while Gordon Elliott also has the classy Gerri Colombe (11st 10lb), Firefox (11st 4lb) and Western Fold (11st 1lb) involved.
There are currently 76 entries for the world's greatest steeplechase, and the first scratching stage will take place on March 3rd.
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