The Carlow trainer and jockey Paul Townend paired up again to claim the Irish Grand National for only the second time in his career
For a trainer with over 4,000 winners in his unbelievable career, Willie Mullins has only ever trained the winner of two Irish Grand Nationals in Fairyhouse, his first coming in 2019 when Ruby Walsh was on board Burrows Saint.
The JP McManus-owned I Am Maximus under jockey Paul Townend came through the middle of the field after jumping the last fence to get up on the line for victory. It was Townend’s first-ever victory in the prestigious race. McManus has only recently bought the horse. He was previously trained in the UK by trainer Nicky Henderson before arriving in Mullin’s yard. The horse had a tendency to jump left, but Mullins has obviously worked the oracle and got that sorted today.