Fairyhouse a venue of such magnitude and history in Irish Horse Racing once again hosted up a
scintillating Grand National spectacle as Paul Townend on board I Am Maximus pipped Gevrey and Brian
Hayes to land the accolades in the famous Green and Yellow silks of JP McManus. A first win for the
horse in the iconic silks since being sold by Mike Grech. The magician Mullins once again lands a major prize to add to the trophy cabinet and his illustrious record.

The ride by Townend won praise and was alike a football team on the back foot for much of the game
but found enough in the tank to secure victory. True Perseverance kept the duo in the race and from a
seemingly hopeless position swooped to win the race. Defi Blue and Dolcita completed the placing in
third and fourth respectively. Townend noted it was extra special to land the prize in the JP McManus silks due to his recent health battles.

The win completes a remarkable couple of weeks for Mullins, who became the all-time leading trainer at
the Cheltenham Festival with his 73rd victory there last month. I Am Maximus jumping early on looked far
from fluid, but rallied after a circuit when the jockey manoeuvred him to the outside from a left position.
On the swing for home I Am Maximus was latched onto the heels of a nine-strong group. Gevrey led over
two out but I Am Maximus produced a late late show and won by a length. Willie Mullins praised the rider
for such a dogged and determined ride after the trainer’s instructions went out the window with Mullins acknowledging same.

The late surge by I Am Maximus was a bitter blow for Brian Hayes, who rode the Gordon Elliott-trained
Gevrey. Hayes looked all but certain to clinch the race, after taking a similar deep position. Brian can be
immensely proud of the placing in the race having only been drafted in to ride for the injured Kevin
Section at short notice. The favourite Amirite at 6-1 was pulled up by Rachael Blackmore on the final circuit.

Alas, once again the accolades belong to Willy Mullins and JP McManus with 15 and 7 wins, respectively
over the festival. McManus beloved Limerick GAA Hurling team also clinched the league title on Sunday.

In a final note it was with great sadness to hear of Mighty Potter suffering a fatal fall during the
WilliamWarm Gold Cup. The 6 year old was described by trainer as ‘a proper horse’ and we at the
Grassroots Gazette which to send our condolences and thoughts to connections and Caldwell
Construction who are such big supporters of the sport.