Grand National 2027 horse previews: I Am Maximus

2X0TCRY I am Maximus ridden by Paul Townend wins The 2024 Randox Grand National Steeple Chase

The 2027 Grand National is still some months away. But the race is set to be one of the most highly anticipated in years, as I Am Maximus aims to become only the second horse to become a three-time Grand National winner.

We’ll be highlighting all the horses to keep an eye on in the build-up, and the only place to start is with I Am Maximus himself.

I Am Maximus Grand National 2027 Preview

When it comes to proven Grand National horses, they simply don’t come much stronger than I Am Maximus.

The Willie Mullins-trained chaser has already cemented his place in Aintree folklore, winning the Grand National twice and finishing runner-up in his other appearance. With form figures in the race of 1-2-1, it’s no surprise he’s the early 12/1 favourite to make history once again in 2027.

For many racing fans, particularly those who only place one or two bets a year, the first question is simple: Can he really do it again?

The answer is that he certainly has a better chance than most.

A horse built for the Grand National

Some horses are specialists at particular racecourses, and while it would be unfair to suggest I Am Maximus can only perform at Aintree, there can be no disputing that the course brings out the very best in him.

His first Grand National victory came in 2024 when he powered clear in the closing stages to win impressively. A year later he returned carrying the top weight and ran another outstanding race, finishing second after chasing home stablemate Nick Rockett. Rather than fading away after those efforts, he came back in 2026 to regain his crown, becoming the first horse since Tiger Roll to win the race twice and the first since Red Rum to reclaim the title after losing it.

That remarkable consistency is hugely important because the Grand National is unlike any other race in Britain. The unique fences, marathon distance and large field mean that course experience is often invaluable.

Stamina has never been in doubt

Winning the Grand National requires far more than speed.

Horses must jump 30 fences over more than four miles, and I Am Maximus has repeatedly shown he relishes that sort of test.

Even before becoming an Aintree star, he announced himself as a top staying chaser by winning the Irish Grand National. That race is often seen as one of the strongest stepping stones towards success at Aintree, as it demands similar stamina and determination.

His performances in Grade One company have also demonstrated that he possesses the class to compete against the very best staying chasers, not just handicap performers.

Willie Mullins knows exactly how to prepare him

Another huge positive is the man training him.

Willie Mullins has dominated recent renewals of the Grand National and has developed a clear blueprint for preparing horses for the race. Rather than running his National contenders frequently, he tends to give them carefully selected prep races before peaking at Aintree.

That approach has worked perfectly with I Am Maximus, who has often arrived looking as though the Grand National has been his primary target all season.

If Paul Townend is again in the saddle, punters will also take confidence from one of the sport’s leading jockeys already knowing every inch of the course aboard him.

Are there any concerns?

No horse is without negatives, even one with such an outstanding record.

The biggest question is simply age.

By the time the 2027 Grand National comes around, I Am Maximus will be an 11-year-old. While that’s by no means old for a staying chaser, most recent Grand National winners have tended to be slightly younger. Indeed, the last 11-year-old to win the famous race was Pineau De Re, back in 2014.

Carrying top weight is another challenge, especially after his recent successes have pushed his handicap rating to an elite level, although supporters can rightly point out that he has run as the top weight in both 2025 and 2026.

There’s also the obvious fact that history is against any horse attempting to win the Grand National three times. The race is notoriously difficult to win even once, making repeated success incredibly rare.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a horse with proven Grand National credentials, there isn’t a stronger candidate than I Am Maximus.

He stays all day, jumps the Aintree fences superbly, has one of the world’s best trainers and already boasts a phenomenal record in the race. While age and a hefty weight could make life tougher, those concerns are balanced by the simple fact that he has repeatedly shown he can produce his very best performance when it matters most.

For casual punters searching for a reliable starting point, I Am Maximus is certain to feature prominently on the shortlist once again. Whether he can write another chapter in Grand National history remains to be seen, but few horses have ever arrived at Aintree with a stronger case.