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One Grand National punter has scooped just under £1million after I Am Maximus triumphed at Aintree this afternoon. It ranks among the largest ever wagers on a horse in the race, with the lucky punter walking away with a staggering £900,000.

Bookmaker Johnny Dineen revealed on ITV that someone had staked £100,000 on I Am Maximus at 8-1. The horse claimed victory in the National in 2024 before finishing as runner-up in last year's edition.

This year, however, the Willie Mullins-trained horse delivered the punter an extraordinary £800,000 profit by storming to victory, with Paul Townend guiding him home. Speaking on ITV ahead of the race, Dineen admitted it was the largest bet he had ever taken on.

He said: "We've laid a whopping bet on I Am Maximus, and it's the biggest bet we've ever laid by a mile." Betting ring presenter Brian Gleeson was left visibly stunned, responding: "Oh my God."

Mullins became the first trainer since Vincent O'Brien in the 1950s to win three consecutive runnings of the iconic Aintree spectacular. Mullins, who joins Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain and Fred Rimell as a four-time National-winning handler, said: "It was a good call from JP, I'd been going down the Gold Cup route with him, but he said to stay in Aintree with him as he felt he was well handicapped. Paul just executed it so well.

"It is (hard to win off top-weight), but maybe the modern-day National is changing and we're looking at it a bit differently. It's the race we aspire (to win). It's the race you want to win and be a part of - just to have a runner is a tremendous sensation. He is just a superstar - nothing fazes him. He comes out, does what he has to do and wins Nationals."

Iroko came in second place as JP McManus secured a 1-2 finish in the race, while Jordans was and Jonnywho crossed the line in fourth. Townend, speaking to ITV, said of his win: "He's tough isn't he? He still didn't travel with the enthusiasm of the first year but the cheekpieces helped in the middle of the race.

"He's a really, really good horse, that's why. He wasn't telling me not to ride him. He's so good. He's got such an engine and will gallop to the end of the world for you."