Joint-favourite I Am Maximus wins incredible Grand National as defending champ Corach Rambler unseats at the first

JOINT-FAVOURITE I Am Maximus absolutely powered home to win the Grand National for all-conquering Irish trainer Willie Mullins – as punters bashed the bookies in style.

Jockey Paul Townend stalked and stalked on the JP McManus-owned 7-1 chance before hitting go after the last.

Reuters

I Am Maximus passes the post in first after winning an absorbing Grand National[/caption]

And the Irish Grand National winner, who was sent off joint-fav with defending champ Corach Rambler who unseated at the first, was not for catching.

Townend, winning a third Grand National for the owner, said: “Gold Cups are Gold Cups but the Grand National is just different – I can’t believe it.”

Delta Work was second at 28-1 under Jack Kennedy while former Gold Cup hero Minella Indo came third at 28-1 too with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle.

Galvin completed the top four at 40-1 while ‘the public’s horse’ Kitty’s Light came a brave fifth at 12-1.

There was drama at the first when Corach Rambler, who had been fancied to do the double after finishing third in the Gold Cup, came down steeply and sent jockey Derek Fox crashing to the turf.

Corach Rambler had been sent off 7-1 joint-fav with I Am Maximus.

But punters who opted for the Irish runner over Lucinda Russell’s Scottish charge were left celebrating after getting one over the bookies.

One said: “I Am Maximus delivered a knockout blow in the big one for punters as he was one of our biggest liabilities.

“The placed horses weren’t kind to us either but there’s always next year!”

More to follow.

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