Champion Trainer Willie Mullins has admitted it will be “tough” for I Am Maximus to repeat his 2024 Aintree heroics as he attempts to win this year’s Randox Grand National with 6lb more on his back than 12 months ago.

Paul Townend partnered JP McManus’s gelding to a seven and a half length victory in the world’s greatest steeplechase last April, giving Mullins a second career victory in the race.

The Closutton trainer has come a long way since watching his first Grand National runner, Micko’s Dream, fall at the first fence in 2000 and has now saddled 61 horses in the Aintree showpiece.

He has another 10 entries this year and although not all are likely to line up on April 5^th, Mullins is hopeful that the majority of them will and that he can add to his Randox Grand National roll of honour after I Am Maximus’s success last year and Hedgehunter’s 2005 victory.

Mullins ran the rule over his contenders after discovering their weights:

I AM MAXIMUS

At number one on the list he is rated 167 and has been given a weight of 11st 12lb.

“It was huge to win it last year for the second time. I felt very spoilt winning a second Grand National.

“It’s top weight and it’s tough but we had an idea that it would be tough. He’ll probably run in the Bobbyjo and we’ll see how he is.

“He likes the track (Aintree). Sometimes when horses go back a second time they don’t like it and we’ve got all that to take into account. Horses go round it once and the second time it can be different, but he had a good experience last year and I’m hoping that it won’t be a problem.”

GRANGECLARE WEST

At number four on the list he is rated 163 and has a weight of 11st 8lb.

“I was very pleased with his run (when second in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on February 1^st) and if he can put in a performance like that … however, he paid the penalty by being raised in the weights so it’s going to be tougher, but he might take his chance (in the Randox Grand National).

“I’m not sure he’ll run before (the Grand National) but I’ll think about that.”

NICK ROCKETT

At number six on the list he is rated 163 and has been allocated a weight of 11st 8lb.

“I thought he was very good winning the Thyestes and that’s always a very good pointer towards the National, so hopefully he’ll take up the engagement.”

APPRECIATE IT

At 13^th on the list he is rated 157 and has a weight of 11st 2lb.

“He’s shown a nice change of form on nice ground in Thurles to win (in January). Aintree ground is usually lovely so he has his chance and plenty of 11-year-olds have won in the recent past.”

CAPODANNO

At 14^th on the list with a rating of 157 and a weight of 11st 2lb.

“Capodanno was running a good race last year. The handicapper’s given him a chance and he jumps those fences no problem so I’m happy enough.”

MINELLA COCOONER

At 17^th on the list with a rating of 157 and a weight of 11st 2lb.

“He jumps well. He won the Whitbread (bet365 Gold Cup) at Sandown last year. It’s going to be a tough assignment to win another big handicap within the calendar year but he’ll take his chance.”

MEETINGOFTHEWATERS

At 43^rd on the list with a rating of 148 and a weight of 10st 7lb.

“I think Meetingofthewaters has a lovely weight. He ran very well last year and I think my eye was drawn to him when I saw his weight. He’s one I like.”

HORANTZAU D’AIRY

At 48^th on the list with a rating of 147 and a weight of 10st 6lb.

“He has a lovely weight and loves jumping. If he gets in we’d like to take our chance on nicer ground with him.”

MACDERMOTT

At 63^rd on the list with a rating of 143 and a weight of 10st 2lb.

“We’d need a lot of luck to get in but after the way he ran in the Scottish Grand National last year I’d love to see him get into the race.”

SPANISH HARLEM

At 78^th on the list with a rating of 138 and a weight of 9st 11lb.

“He would need a lot of luck to get in. We’d probably look to run him in the Topham, I’d say.”