The 2026 Grand National delivered a classic contest, culminating in I Am Maximus becoming the first horse since Red Rum to successfully defend the title. Trained by Willie Mullins and partnered by Paul Townend, the victory marked Mullins' third National win, cementing his exceptional record of peaking his runners precisely when required for this demanding event.

Townend deserves immense credit for expertly managing the winner’s idiosyncratic jumping style, especially navigating the hotter stages of the race while carrying top weight off a rating of 168. Observers suggest the modern, highly competitive version of the National, though less of a pure jumping test, demands exceptional handicapping skill from connections.

The renewal featured considerable drama, recording seven fallers and seven unseats, contrasting sharply with the calmer 2024 and 2025 races. This chaos proved the modern event, despite altered fences and reduced fields, retains immense unpredictability and spectacle for viewers.

Ultimately, the race is now fundamentally about finding the best-handicapped horse on the day, not just the best jumper. The performance of I Am Maximus against such a deep, competitive field solidifies this contest’s status as the planet's most exhilarating National Hunt fixture, regardless of historical comparisons.