He came, he saw, he conquered, and then he checked his notifications. After a historic win at Aintree yesterday (April 11, 2026), I Am Maximus became the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to regain the Grand National title.
While the punters are busy counting their literal bags of cash, here is the “exclusive” look at the WhatsApp group chat from the Aintree stables.
The Group Chat: Aintree Avengers 🐎
I Am Maximus: [Sent at 17:45] Still out of breath, but mostly from carrying that 11-st 6-lb weight. Paul, you owe me a massage. 💅🏆
Iroko (2nd Place): Great race, Max. I was breathing down your neck at the last, but you’ve got gears I didn’t know existed. Drinks are on you?
Johnnywho (4th Place): I’m just happy to be here. JP McManus is going to need a bigger trophy cabinet for us. 🟢🟡
Minella Indo: [Left the group] Corach Rambler: Imagine actually finishing the race. Can’t relate. I prefer the “scenic unseat” route at the first fence. 10/10 for the tumble, though. 🤸♂️
Tiger Roll (Legend Status): Welcome to the Multi-Win Club, kid. Don’t let it go to your head. I still have the better hair.
I Am Maximus: @TigerRoll Respect. Also, to the punter who put £100k on me… I hope you’re buying the high-grade carrots for the rest of the year. 🥕💰
Grand National 2026: The Official Placings
The 178th running of the Grand National was a bloodbath for the bookmakers. Sent off as the 9/2 favorite, I Am Maximus led home a historic 1-2-4 for owner JP McManus.
🏆 1st Place: The Immortal
You didn’t just win a race; you survived a stampede.
The Reward: A massive trophy, a permanent spot in the history books, and enough prize money to buy a small island (or at least pay off your bar tab in Liverpool).
The Vibe: Smugness. Pure, unadulterated smugness. You’ll be dining out on this story until 2050.
🥈 2nd Place: The “So Close, Yet So Far”
The most heartbreaking spot on the turf. You did everything right, jumped 30 fences perfectly, and then got pipped at the Elbow by a horse whose name you can’t even pronounce.
The Reward: A decent check and the distinct feeling that you’re the “Buzz Aldrin” of the afternoon.
The Vibe: Polite clapping while internally screaming.
🥉 3rd & 4th Place: The Each-Way Heroes
These are the most important horses in Britain because they’ve just saved the general public’s bank accounts.
The Reward: You’ve kept the dream alive for Grandma, who bet £2 on you because she “liked the jockey’s silks.”
The Vibe: Quiet dignity and a sigh of relief from everyone except the bookies.
🎖️ 5th & 6th Place: The “Wait, Did I Win?”
In any other race, 6th is a failure. In the National, it’s a miracle. Depending on which bookmaker you used, this might still pay out.
The Reward: A pat on the neck and a “participation trophy” in the form of a small slice of the prize pool.
The Vibe: Checking your betting app 14 times to see if your 1/5th odds payout actually cleared.
🏆 2026 Grand National Placings
I Am Maximus
Iroko
Jordans
Johnnywho
High Class Hero
A Message to the £100k Punter
If you really did drop 100 grand on I Am Maximus at 7/1, your bag (as seen in the photo) should contain roughly £800,000 (your £700k profit plus your stake back).
Pro-Tip: Don’t leave that bag in the back of a Corsa. Get it to a vault, buy Maximus a gold-plated bucket of oats, and maybe retire before Monday morning. 🏛️🐎💰
It is Sunday, April 12, 2026, and we are coming off the back of a huge Grand National weekend at Aintree. Today’s action across the UK and Ireland features a mix of Flat and Jump racing, with Leopardstown hosting the standout card of the day.
Here is your guide to today’s meetings:
🇮🇪 Ireland
Ireland has two primary meetings today, featuring high-quality Flat action and competitive National Hunt racing.
Leopardstown (Flat): The premier meeting of the day.
Highlights: The Group 3 Ballylinch Stud Red Rocks Stakes (3:55 PM) is the feature.
Going: Good to Yielding.
Down Royal (Jumps): A solid seven-race card.
Highlights: Competitive handicaps featuring runners from the top yards like Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott.
Going: Good.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
There are three meetings in the UK today, split between the Flat and the Jumps:
Wincanton (Jumps)
First Race: 1:47 PM
Feature: Sunday Afternoon Handicap Chase (4:00 PM)
Going: Good
Ffos Las (Jumps)
First Race: 2:03 PM
Feature: West Wales Handicap Hurdle (3:50 PM)
Going: Good to Soft
Musselburgh (Flat)
First Race: 3:45 PM
Feature: Sky Bet Club British EBF Novice Stakes (3:45 PM) / Holyrood Handicap
Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
Best Rated & Verdicts, “top-rated” horses based on their adjusted performance figures, Here are the key selections for today:
Leopardstown (5:25 PM): Madbadanddangerous note Timeform Verdict: Finished his juvenile season with a useful third and is expected to thrive over today’s 1m 2f trip. Narrowly preferred over the Aidan O’Brien-trained Cape Cod.
Musselburgh: Blues and Royals (4:15 PM) is the “consensus” pick of the day, appearing as a NAP for multiple publications including the Sunday Telegraph.
Leopardstown: Watch Thundering On (2:10 PM); it’s a strong fancy for the opening maiden and could be a significant market mover.
Star Selection: Adonius (15:45) holds a high Timeform rating after posting an impressive speed figure on debut. He carries a penalty but is considered “destined for better company.”
Trainer to Watch: K.R. Burke has a high strike rate (29%) at Musselburgh and saddles Penny Arcade (15:45), who is noted as the main danger to the favorite.
Silks and Shenanigans 