Grand National result: I Am Maximus wins at Aintree ahead of Delta Work

Mac Tottie, who was pulled up, was treated by vets but was allowed to return to trainer Peter Bowen's yard. There were no concerns about other runners.

Of the 32 starters, 21 horses finished the race – the highest number to reach the finish line since 1992.

Rachael Blackmore looked set to secure a second national win as Minella Indo was challenged, while Kitty's Light took fifth place for Welsh trainer Christian Williams, whose young daughter Betsy is being treated for leukaemia.

Sixth place went to amateur jockey David Maxwell on the horse “Ain't That A Shame”, a horse he bought earlier in the year and which enabled him to take part in the race for the first time.

But it was the team of Mullins, Townend and owner JP McManus that triumphed as I Am Maximus led home with an Irish 1-2-3-4.

On the 13th attempt, Townend took his first national victory, while it was Mullins' second after Hedgehunter in 2005 and McManus' third triumph after Don't Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021).

It follows last month's Cheltenham victories for Townend and Mullins in the Champion Hurdle with State Man and Galopin Des Champs' successful Gold Cup defense.

The other 7-1 co-favorite, Limerick Lace, also owned by McManus, was hoping to become the first mare to win the race since Nickel Coin in 1951, but made a few early mistakes and slipped to the back of the field. eventually he came tenth.

The win means Mullins is now favorite to win the British Trainers Championship, which ends at the end of this month.

“Aintree is the first race you see, it’s the first race everyone in racing wants to see. Fantastic stuff, you just couldn’t do it,” Mullins said.

Last year the race was delayed by 14 minutes after animal rights activists entered the track, but this time there was no disruption.

The number of runners was reduced to a maximum of 40 after a security check.

Other safety measures included a standing start to the race, which occurred at first call, reducing the height of one of the fences and adding foam and rubber toeboards to each fence.