Money comes in for ‘leading Grand National contender’ Willie Mullins labelled ‘a touch of class’

MONEY is coming in for a ‘leading Grand National contender’ – whose victory would be a bitter pill to swallow for Nicky Henderson.

Coral report the money is down for Willie Mullins’ former Irish Grand National king I Am Maximus.

I Am Maximus is being backed for the Irish Grand NationalSportsfile

Having been available at 12-1 with some firms just two weeks ago, the eight-year-old is into as short as 7s with some bookies.

Coral report a move from 10-1 to 9-1 and make the JP McManus-owned runner the biggest threat to Corach Rambler in the £1million Aintree race.

Spokesperson David Stevens said: “Having won an Irish Grand National, and being trained by Willie Mullins, I Am Maximus has been a leading contender for Aintree glory all season.

“He’s currently the closest market rival to last year’s big race winner, Corach Rambler, after a fresh wave of money came in.”

Lucinda Russell’s defending champ is 4-1 to retain his crown on Saturday, April 13.

But while success for I Am Maximus would be massive for Mullins, spare a thought for Henderson.

The Seven Barrows boss has been rocked by Constitution Hill’s emergency visit to hospital for suspected colic.

The unbeaten superstar was forced to miss his Champion Hurdle defence with an infection and William Hill have pushed him out to 2-1 to win the day one feature in 2025.

Fortunately he has now returned home and the hope is he can regain full health as quickly as possible.

However, add that horse’s woes to the fact that Henderson used to train I Am Maximus, and it could be a grim month or so for the legendary trainer.

I Am Maximus was previously owned by the late Michael Grech.

The horse officially switched to Mullins’ Closutton yard in November 2022, before coming under JP’s ownership in March 2023.

Henderson, 73, has famously never won the Grand National.

And his hopes look slim this year with 100-1 Fantastic Lady his only runner entered.

Currently 42 in the list of possible runners, the nine-year-old mare needs a few to come out to have any hope of taking part.

Grand National odds via Coral

4-1 Corach Rambler
9-1 I Am Maximus
10-1 Vanillier
12-1 Panda Boy
14-1 Kitty’s Light, Mahler Mission, Meetingofthewaters
16-1 Minella Indo, Noble Yeats
20-1 Capodanno, Galvin, Mr Incredible
25-1 Ain’t That A Shame, Chemical Energy, Latenightpass, Limerick Lace, Nassalam
33-1 Bar

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