I Am Maximus heads the weights for Aintree Grand National

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

The Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus is set to carry top-weight in the Grand National at Aintree for the second time as he aims to continue his love-affair with the Merseyside marathon.

I Am Maximus, winner of the Randox Grand National in 2024 and second last season, was confirmed as top-weight off 11st 12lb for the world’s greatest steeplechase at a ceremony in Liverpool last Tuesday.

Top-weight take two

It will be the second year in a row the JP McManus-owned contender has top-weight in the race. He found only stablemate Nick Rockett too strong last year in his bid to join the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll in winning successive renewals. He had 6lb more last year compared to 2024.

Mullins had an astonishing result in 2025, with Nick Rockett in the hands of his son, Patrick, the first of five Mullins-trained horses in the first seven finishers.

Last year’s winner carried 11st 8lb and is joint-second in the list with 11st 11lb this time around.

Amongst the other Mullins runners towards the head of the weights include last year’s third Grangeclare West (11st 10lb), Impaire Et Passe (11st 5lb), Spanish Harlem (11st 3lb) and Lecky Watson (11st 2lb).

Iroko team content with their lot

The Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko heads the antepost betting with most firms for the Aintree race.

He, like I Am Maximus, is owned by McManus and while his team would have preferred less than the 11st 1lb they got, Guerriero says they are content.

Iroko was fourth last year carrying 10st 11lb and his team believe the eight-year-old has come forward again since.

“We’d like a bit less [weight], but we’ll take that, definitely,” said Guerriero.

“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.”

Haiti Couleurs set for National hat-trick bid

Other notables towards the top of the weights include the Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs, winner of last season’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and the Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas.

He’s set for a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month before a possible trip to Aintree.

The 2024 King George winner Banbridge (11st 11lb) for Joseph O’Brien, Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe (11st 10lb) and Grey Dawning (11st 10lb) for trainers’ championship leader Dan Skelton are also towards the top of the list.

Greenwood happy with his work

BHA handicapper Martin Greenwood, who frames the weights for the National, says the standard of the race is high once more, as has become the norm in recent times.

He says the star quality towards the top of the handicap means lesser lights are no longer populating the bottom end of the pool.

“This year’s race really stands out in terms of quality,” he said. “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.

“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.”