The Grand National, one of the most celebrated events in horse racing, is drawing considerable attention as I Am Maximus is currently tipped to defend his title in the highly anticipated 2025 race. Following a virtual simulation run by the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT, analysts have predicted that I Am Maximus will emerge victorious once again, building on his success in 2024.

The virtual race, which pitted a field of 34 horses against each other, concluded with I Am Maximus placing first. Bravemansgame, rated at 50/1, was predicted to finish second, while Minella Indo, ridden by the renowned jockey Rachael Blackmore at 25/1, secured third place. Stay Away Fay and Royale Pagaille rounded out the top five at odds of 80/1 and 100/1, respectively.

Bookmakers corroborate this prediction, with I Am Maximus being listed as the favourite to win again at odds of 13/2. David Stevens from Coral commented on the horse's strong position, stating, "I Am Maximus was a brilliant winner of the race last year, and it’s not just the virtual world that thinks he can win back-to-back Nationals... he’s trained by the champion trainer, Willie Mullins, so he really does tick all the boxes."

If successful, I Am Maximus would join an elite group of horses, including Tiger Roll and Red Rum, as a back-to-back Grand National winner. His jockey will carry a weight of 11st 12lbs, which is 6lbs more than he had in 2024, and would mark him as the first horse to secure victory while carrying such a burden since Red Rum's triumph in 1974.

I Am Maximus is owned by the prominent figure in horse racing, JP McManus. A second consecutive win would not only be a significant achievement for the horse but would also grant McManus his fourth Grand National victory, having previously won with Don’t Push It in 2010 and Minella Times in 2021.

As the race day approaches, betting activity is expected to peak, with up to 100,000 bets placed per minute and an estimated £150 million wagered on the Grand National overall. Sportscasting.com remarked on the virtual predictions, noting that the excitement surrounding I Am Maximus has garnered support from several leading horse racing betting sites in the UK.

Overall, the anticipation for the 2025 Grand National continues to grow, with all eyes on I Am Maximus as he attempts to cement his legacy at the Aintree racecourse once more.

Source: Noah Wire Services