New Grand National favourite as doubts surface over Willie Mullins’ defending champ I Am Maximus
New Grand National favourite as doubts surface over Willie Mullins’ defending champ I Am Maximus
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A NEW Grand National favourite has emerged - as doubts surface over whether Willie Mullins' I Am Maximus can defend his crown. Iroko is now the marginal favourite on the Betfair Exchange, with almost £50,000 having been matched on the £1million race.
![[Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr. riding Iroko in a muddy race.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/23-11-2024-iroko-jonjo-967109418_a15b49.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The JP McManus-owned and British-trained horse, who had his most recent ride at Cheltenham probed by stewards, is currently 13.5 - between 12-1 and 13-1 in fractions. The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure (UK only).
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While I Am Maximus, who was a thumping winner of the world's most famous race last April, is a point bigger at 14.5 - between 13-1 and 14-1. Although it doesn't take much to move markets this far out from a race, the switch could be seen as significant given a recent quote about I Am Maximus' chances of running.
Mullins said he wants to make the nine-year-old, who is also owned by McManus, the first three-time winner of the Aintree race since the great Red Rum. It's no secret that trainers try to protect a horse's rating throughout the season so they run off the lowest possible in the National.
