Weekend Review: I Am Maximus’ Grand National victory leaves bookies “burned”
JP McManus-owned 10-year-old was heavily supported at the off as the victor defied top weight to win the race for the second time
I Am Maximus left the bookmakers with bloodied noses on Saturday after being backed into the 9/2 favourite at the off and going on to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to regain the Grand National.
Carrying top weight of 11st 12lbs, the 2024 winner and last year’s runner-up finished ahead of Iroko (18/1) and Jordans (28/1).
Heading into the final few obstacles, Jordans looked to have the race sewn up with a lead of half a dozen lengths.
With High Class Hero (66/1) in second, it was I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullin and ridden by Paul Townend, who made up ground heading into, and over, the final fence and overtook Jordans who had tired – with High Class Hero making a mistake at the last and finishing fifth.
Of the 34 runners, 16 completed what was an eventful renewal of the four-mile two-furlong race, with leading contenders Grangeclare West (9/1) unseating Patrick Mullins at the first fence and Panic Attack (7/1) falling at the third. Jagwar (17/2) made a bad mistake at the 19th and parted company with Mark Walsh.
Before the race, Irish pro punter and on-course bookier Johnny Dineen revealed to ITV Racing that Fitzwilliam had laid its biggest-ever bet: £100,000 to win on I am Maximus at 8/1, with rumours swirling that billionaire owner JP McManus had placed the bet.
Fitzwilliam laid off a good chunk of the bet on the exchanges and in the ring, yet this weight of money on the horse caused the price to collapse and is partly why I am Maximus went off the 9/2 favourite.
The clip of Dineen showing the betting slip on TV generated 4.6 million views on the ITV Racing X account.
On the result from Betfred’s perspective, Alan Firkins said: “Fred’s quote said it all in the aftermath of the Grand National on Saturday; ‘It’s been a gladiatorial bloodbath for us bookies.’
“The heavily-backed favourite I Am Maximus came with a late rattle to win his second National, under 11st 12lb too – six pounds higher than when successful in 2024.
“It was a brilliant performance, and an exquisite ride from Paul Townend. Trainer Willie Mullins was winning his fourth National, and third on the spin.”
BOYLE Sports was left “burned” by the result, with spokesperson Brian O’Keeffe noting: “A significant pre-race gamble on I Am Maximus ensured the public were the ones cheering home the winner.
“The first horse to regain a National crown since Red Rum, congrats to all connections but our fingers have definitely been burned.”
At Midnite, sportsbook experience manager Jordan Willmott highlighted how “early fallers saved some each-way payouts with popular selections”, while FDJ United’s Ali Gill said the result “wasn’t as bad as it could have been”.
I Am Maximum’s second win in the race was followed up by Rory McIlory (13/2) retaining The Masters at Augusta, in what was a mixed result for bookmakers.
The Northern Irishman held his nerve on the final day to claim a one-shot victory, beating Scottie Scheffler who finished as runner-up.
McIlroy joins Jack Nicklas, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods in winning consecutive Masters.
For FDJ United, McIlroy’s back-to-back wins was a “draw for the book”, and coupled with the Grand National result, Gill said things could have been a lot worse for the operator.
He added: “Rory put many years of hurt to bed last year with his Masters win, and with the pressure off he decided he wanted another. Overall, a fantastic week for him, and golf, as he went back-to-back.
“All told, his prominence in the market along with a host of huge dangers in behind him, both before the event and throughout, that result ended as just about a draw for the book.”
Over at Betfred, Firkins said The Masters result for the operator was one which left customers plenty to cheer about.
Firkins commented: “[McIlroy] was all artistry on Friday but rolled up his sleeves at the weekend to get the job done, just, under the most enormous pressure. A sensational weekend of sport, and one with plenty of cheer for our customers.”
In Premier League action, Bournemouth’s (5/1) shock win away at Arsenal on Saturday and Man City’s (9/10) victory over Chelsea on Sunday has narrowed the gap at the top to six points.
Alex Scott’s winner with 15 minutes remaining at the Emirates Stadium left the Gunners sweating over the result at Stamford Bridge.
Despite an opening 45 minutes in which Chelsea looked the better team, three second-half goals gave City the win heading into this Sunday’s crunch match between Arsenal and City – City currently six points behind but have two games in hand over the leaders.
Just a few weeks ago Arsenal had been matched on Betfair for £51,000 at 1.11 (1/9) to win their first Premier League title since 2004, but they are now out to 1.7 (7/10), while City can be backed at 2.44 (7/5).
Down the bottom of the table, West Ham’s (4/5) 4-0 much-needed win over bottom-of-the-table Wolves lifted them out of the relegation zone and above Tottenham, who lost 1-0 on Sunday to Sunderland (7/4) in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge.
In a better set of results for FDJ United, Gill said: “Overall a good week in the Premier League as we managed to come out ahead in all games but one.”