I Am Maximus delights connections ahead of National defence

Willie Mullins believes I Am Maximus could be returning to peak form at exactly the right time ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old was a brilliant winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase 12 months ago, but was pulled up on his return to action in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown and fared only marginally better when eighth in the Irish Gold Cup in early February.

Having since missed a planned outing in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, I Am Maximus will return to Merseyside with something to prove, but Mullins issued an upbeat report on his well-being at Downpatrick on Sunday.

“All our horses in the National, if they get in, they’ll run. I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett, Meetingofthewaters (and) the Cheveley Park horse (Grangeclare West),” he told Racing TV.

“They’re all in good shape. Most of them did their final bit of work yesterday (Saturday) and I’m very happy with them all.

“I Am Maximus is very good. Paul (Townend) got down off him with a big smile on his face yesterday morning, so that means he’s back to where Paul wants him anyway.

“It’s shaping up to be a great race.”

The champion trainer also confirmed star mare Lossiemouth as a likely runner in Thursday’s William Hill Aintree Hurdle, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill.

Galopin Des Champs, who came up short in his bid for a Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick earlier this month, is not part of the Mullins squad bound for Liverpool, but could bid to get back on the winning trail in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Mullins added: “He’s very good. He was a bit disappointed himself for the first few days but he’s getting over that and we’ll see where we go next, whether we go to Punchestown or not.

“He’s in good shape at home and we’ll have a think about it. It’s not his favourite track I think, Punchestown.

“When horses are used to winning and they get beaten, he’d be at the back of his stable, whereas normally he’d be head over the door. They know when it hasn’t gone well.”

State Man, who suffered a crunching fall with a second Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham seemingly within his grasp, was reported to be “in great shape” and on course to bid for a third successive win in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.