Mac Tottie, who was pulled up, was handled by vets however was cleared to return to coach Peter Bowen’s yard. There have been no considerations about another runners.
Of the 32 starters, 21 horses accomplished the race – the best quantity throughout the end line since 1992.
Rachael Blackmore appeared like she may safe a second Nationwide win as Minella Indo challenged, whereas Kitty’s Gentle completed fifth for Welsh coach Christian Williams, whose younger daughter Betsy is being handled for leukaemia.
Sixth went to beginner jockey David Maxwell, using Ain’t That A Disgrace, a horse he purchased earlier this 12 months and a purchase order which enabled him to experience within the race for the primary time.
Nevertheless it was the group of Mullins, Townend and proprietor JP McManus who triumphed as I Am Maximus led house an Irish 1-2-3-4.
On the thirteenth try, Townend claimed his first Nationwide win whereas it was a second for Mullins after Hedgehunter in 2005 and McManus’ third triumph following Do not Push It (2010) and Minella Instances (2021).
It follows final month’s Cheltenham wins for Townend and Mullins within the Champion Hurdle with State Man and Galopin Des Champs’ profitable Gold Cup defence.
The opposite 7-1 joint-favourite, Limerick Lace, additionally owned by McManus, hoped to grow to be the primary mare to win the race since Nickel Coin in 1951, however made a few early errors and drifted to the again of the sphere, finally ending tenth.
Victory means Mullins is now favorite to win the British trainers’ championship, which concludes on the finish of this month.
“Aintree is the primary race you see, it is the primary race everybody in racing needs to see. Unbelievable stuff, you simply could not make it up,” mentioned Mullins.
Final 12 months’s race had been delayed by 14 minutes after animal rights activists entered the monitor, however there was no disruption this time.
The variety of runners had been decreased from a most of 40 following a security evaluation.
Different security measures included a standing begin for the race, which went off on the first time of asking, a discount in top to one of many fences and added foam and rubber toe boards on each fence.