3 minute read
And that is a very rare double indeed.
This time he had top weight, cheek pieces, the owner J P McManus with a large family contingent cheering, Willie Mullins happy and Paul Townend in complete harmony with the horse. McManus wouldn't say yet about a third go next year as they were going to celebrate first but he has described the horse as a "perfect Aintree" horse. Red Rum did it three times – can Maxi equal this? 364 sleeps until we find the answer.
Second place went to Iroko on 18/1, with Jordans 28/1 tiring at the end to finish third and Johnnywho 12/1 was fourth. As the UK bookies pay 5th and in some cases 6th places the two next home were High Class Hero 55/1 and Favori de Champdou 40/1.
As for our tips – at least we got the winner – Haiti Coleurs had a rough trip and finished 14th, Banbridge parted company with J J Slevin and Gerri Colombe and Panic Attack fell.
Earlier the Liverpool Hurdle went to Home by the Lee from Take No Chances 18/1 and Honesty Policy.