Grand National 2024 result as I am Maximus and Paul Townend wins

It was an exciting afternoon at Aintree in the Grand National

It was favourite I am Maximus that raced to glory in the 2024 Randox Grand National with Paul Townend showing his class racing to victory.

In what was one of the most exciting Nationals in recent memory, the drama began early on as defending champion Corach Rambler unseating its rider at the first fence.

The 2023 winner's defence last just seconds when jockey Derek Fox fell off following a poor jump at the first.

In a tightly contested race, the Willie Mullins trained horse produced a sensational finish to capture victory.

It looked for a brief moment that Rachael Blackmore was set win her second Grand National when Minella Indo took the lead after jumping the penultimate fence. But Townend, a master at timing his run, emerged aboard I Am Maximus to race to victory with Delta Work finishing in second.

The Cork jockey has had a historic year, winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, and was ecstatic following his first Grand National victory after 13 attempts.

"It was an incredible race. An unbelievable horse. I ended up being first down the first to give him a look but he ended up backing off it so it wasn't a great start.

"He got a little careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve as much as I could as well. We didn't get the clearest run from the second last to the second but it helped me and I had a feeling when I got him out he was going to start motoring.in the clear air and he did.

"The ones in front of me I'm sure they weren't looking for me but I had them in my sights and was hoping he would respond like I thought they would.

"Gold Cups are Gold Cups and Grade Ones are hard to win but Grand Nationals are just a bit different, you need so much luck. I can't believe it."

Trainer Willie Mullins, who had his first National win since 2005, said he was 'buzzing' following the victory and was full of praise for Paul Townend.

"I think Paul was super on him because the horse wasn't giving him a lot of help the whole way round but we saw all this last year in the Irish Grand National but he has complete confience in the horse. He always had that bit in the thank and when he was cut off in the second last [fence] you could see him come around and he was biding his time.

"I'm just buzzing here now, it's huge.

"Aintree is the first race you see and the one everyone wants to win in racing."

Owner JP McManus, who captured his third Grand National was equally as ecstatic, saying: "I love everything about the race, Liverpool and the excitement of coming here and the build-up to the National. It's just a very, very special place among very special people.

"It's such a special race and Willie campaigned for this horse a long time back and thankfully it worked out"

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.