More National money for Maximus – and Townend looks set to ride

I Am Maximus shortened as Grand National favourite on Wednesday – with connections conceding they would be “very surprised” if Paul Townend did not continue his association with the 2024 winner at Aintree on Saturday week.

Willie Mullins’ number one steered the JP McManus-owned 10-year-old to glory in the world’s famous steeplechase two years ago, before finding just stablemate Nick Rockett and Patrick Mullins too tough to crack when second 12 months ago.

That was the last time Townend linked up with the Aintree specialist, and last year’s third Grangeclare West – who is in different ownership – has been seen as an increasingly plausible option for the 35-year-old following his win in the Bobbyjo Chase.

However, it is envisaged he will remain loyal to I Am Maximus, who is just 6-1 with Paddy Power to join the very select list of dual National winners, a feat last achieved by Tiger Roll.

“I would be very surprised if Paul wasn’t riding I Am Maximus,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry. “He is in good form, Willie is happy with him and he looks our main one.

“He’s got the experience around Aintree and has also run well in some good races this year and with a bit of luck and a good round of jumping hopefully he will be there or thereabouts again.

“He’s been there and done it, and you never know in the National, but we think he goes there with a lot in his favour.”

I Am Maximus will lead a strong McManus squad in the National, with as many as seven possibly carrying the green and gold in a race he has also won with Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021).

With Mark Walsh already pinning his colours to Jagwar and Jonjo O’Neill Jr set to continue aboard last year’s fourth Iroko, Berry indicated it likely next season’s retained jockey Harry Cobden will come in for a ride aboard the remaining contingent without an assigned rider.

Cobden was due to partner Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before he was withdrawn on the morning of the race, making him a plausible Grand National mount.

But the picture is still to be finalised, with the Cotswold Chase set for an entry in the Aintree Bowl on the Thursday of the Randox-sponsored National meeting.

“Hopefully they all get there in one piece and they are all in good form at the minute,” continued Berry.

“Spillane’s Tower is going to have an entry for the Bowl as well, so we will see what that race looks like, how the ground is like when we get to Aintree and then make a decision.

“I’m sure Harry will get on one of them (in the National) and we’ll see who gets there. There’s only a week to go, but they still have to get there in one piece and we’ll see what happens after that.

“We’ll have Oscars Brother and a couple more in there and we just hope to get them there in good form. I don’t know if Oscars Brother is well handicapped, but he ran a good race at Cheltenham and has come out of it well and that is half the battle.”