AINTREE, England – Never mind topweight of 166 pounds.

I Am Maximus made history in the Saturday’s $1.34 million Grand National steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse, becoming the first two-time winner since Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019, and the first horse to win non-consecutive runnings since Red Rum won for the second and third time in his epic career in 1974 and 1977.

I Am Maximus carried more weight than any winner this century in the grueling race at 4 5/16 miles, and gave owner J.P. McManus a record fourth win in the race. 

Sir Delius chased home two of Australia’s leading fillies and mares when he finished third in Group 1 races in February and March.

On Saturday at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Sir Delius was the runner impossible to catch in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 1 1/4 miles. 

Sir Delius, who paid $11.70 in American pools, finished about 2 1/4 lengths in front of 26-1 Lindermann. The previously unbeaten filly Autumn Glow could only finish third at 1-4, losing second in the final strides.

AINTREE, England – In his sixth attempt, the 9-year-old gelding Grey Dawning finally won at Aintree Racecourse in Friday’s Grade 1 Melling Chase at 2 1/2 miles.

The $335,500 Melling Chase was the leading steeplechase on Friday’s second day of the three-day Grand National meeting. The $1.34 million Grand National steeplechase will be run on Saturday.

AINTREE, England – The Ladies Day promotion at the three-day Grand National meeting at Aintree Racecourse will be held on Friday.

On Thursday’s first day, a filly and a mare were the stars in two of the four Grade 1 races for hurdlers and chasers.

Brighterdaysahead, a 6-year-old mare, won the $331,000 Aintree Hurdle for the fifth Grade 1 win of her 16-race career. A few hours earlier, the filly Mange Tout won her Grade 1 debut in a $145,600 Juvenile Hurdle for 4-year-olds.

Both were ridden by Jack Kennedy for Irish-based trainer Gordon Elliott.

Sha Tin Selections
(Sunday, April 12, 2026)

The 9-year-old gelding Grey Dawning has won Grade 1 races in famous events at Cheltenham Racecourse and Haydock Park in Britain in the last two years.

Aintree Racecourse, north of Liverpool, has not been as productive of a venue.

Grey Dawning is winless in five career starts at Aintree, but has run well enough to merit support in Friday’s Grade 1 Melling Chase at 2 1/2 miles. The $335,500 Melling Chase is the leading race on the second of the three-day Grand National meeting.

The famous Grand National steeplechase will be run on Saturday.

By Leo Schlink

Completing a triumphant return to Hong Kong racing with a superb four-timer at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (8 April), Joao Moreira reunited with long-time ally Caspar Fownes in brilliant fashion as the battle for the 2025/26 trainers’ championship intensified.

Taking nine rides for Fownes, Moreira finished the evening with four wins and a second as Fownes erased Mark Newnham’s four-win lead in the championship to join the Australian horseman on 47 wins, and trail only by virtue of minor placings with 31 second placings to Newnham’s 36.

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, April 08, 2026)