A Grand National that was in the balance until after the final fence was decided by an irresistible burst of finishing speed. I Am Maximus, who takes his name from a fictional gladiator, landed the decisive blow with half a furlong to run under an impeccable, ground-saving ride by Paul Townend.
The 7-1 joint-favourite did not hit the front until just past the Elbow, but finished to such effect that he was seven and a half lengths clear of Delta Work at the line, with Minella Indo, a former Gold Cup winner himself, back in third.
