2025 Grand National Weights Announcement Imminent

Image from Alamy – 2X0TCRY 13th April 2024; Aintree Racecourse, Aintree, Merseyside, England: 2024 Grand National Festival Day 3; I am Maximus ridden by Paul Townend wins The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase.

The countdown to the 2025 Grand National officially begins on Tuesday 11th February, when the eagerly awaited weights for this year’s race will be announced. As usual, the publication of the Grand National weights will stir plenty of debate and speculation within the racing world, with particular attention on I Am Maximus, the winner of last year’s race.

In 2024, I Am Maximus produced an impressive victory on his Aintree debut, winning the Grand National under a weight of 11st 6lb. It was a strong feat for a horse carrying such a load, given only one horse carrying more than 11st 7lb has won the famous race since Red Rum’s third victory in 1977.

The win of I Am Maximus sparked considerable excitement about his future in the race. And this year, with the horse sure to carry even more weight, all eyes will be on how he handles the extra challenge.

Mullins unconcerned by likely weight hike

Despite the extra pressure, trainer Willie Mullins isn’t overly concerned about the added weight, explaining that it shouldn’t be a drastic change for I Am Maximus:
“In reality he’s not going to have a lot more weight than last year because he carried over 11st, so it’s not like a 10st 5lb horse going up to 11st 5lb or something – and he’s matured and he’s still maturing.”

Mullins has also been pleased with the horse’s progress since returning from a summer break: “I was really delighted with how he came back from a summer’s grass and how strong he came back, so I think he could make that jump and carry the weight, at least that’s what we hope.”

Jockey Paul Townend was a key factor in the success of I Am Maximus, with his calm, tactical approach to the race standing out. Mullins praised Townend for his brilliant ride: “Paul gave him a fantastic ride last year. He rode him so cool and so cold and then when he asked him to go, to quicken like he did, I don’t think we’ve seen a horse do that for years in Aintree.”

As we await the weight announcement on Tuesday, I Am Maximus is currently the 12/1 favourite for the 2025 Grand National. With Mullins confident in the horse’s ability to handle the extra weight, the question remains: will he be able to repeat last year’s victory?

Mullins believes that the horse can rise to the challenge, adding, “We’re going to have to take whatever the handicapper gives us, but when you look at what he did in the last half-mile last year, you’d be hoping he’ll be able to rise to it.”

With the 2025 Grand National just around the corner, all eyes will be on I Am Maximus to see if he can overcome the increased weight and secure another win at Aintree. Expect plenty of speculation and excitement as the weights are released and the final line-up takes shape.