JP McManus justified his decision to get his chequebook out again and purchase I Am Maximus in the build up to Monday’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. He purchased the horse shortly after the Cheltenham Festival and connections clearly had the Irish Grand National in mind. I Am Maximus duly obliged in the big race, landing his new owner a substantial €270,000 prize.
The green & gold McManus silks will be represented by Any Second Now in Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree and he will be looking to complete a famous double. Aintree’s Grand National Festival kicks off on Thursday, with three days of excellent racing to look forward to. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Trained by Ted Walsh, this eleven-year-old has run two absolute crackers in this race before. He was third behind Minella Times in the 2021 renewal and got even closer, when second to Noble Yeats last year. Any Second Now is one horse whose stamina is absolutely confirmed, going into the big race.
The handicapper isn’t making life easy for him however. Walsh’s charge has been given top weight and a rating of 167 this year. That’s an 8lb rise from last year and his trainer has been very vocal about how displeased he is with this mark.
Coming into the race in good form, he won a Grade 2 chase at Navan over an extended 2m4f when last seen. Connections couldn’t have asked for a better preparation, as it would have put him spot on for this. If McManus does go on to claim this famous double, Any Second Now would seem to be his best chance of doing so and the horse deserves his day in the sun.
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