Express reporter Chris Riches with Johnnywho and trainer AJ O’Neill (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
The Daily Express has proved we are a winning newspaper – after a top jockey exclusively told our readers to back champion I Am Maximus to win the Grand National. In Saturday’s paper and online, legendary Irish jockey Barry Geraghty, 42, who won the National in 2003 on Monty’s Pass, sat down with your Express to urge our readers to pile onto I Am Maximus.
A fortnight ago, the Express also visited Jonjo O’Neill’s yard in Cheltenham to meet Johnnywho and wish him luck – only for the nine-year-old to battle through the muddy marathon and finish fourth, out of 34 runners. Meanwhile, our award-winning racing tipster Melissa Jones, AKA The Scout, also highlighted I Am Maximus among her top three horses to perform well in the Aintree sporting spectacular.
I Am Maximus wins the Grand National (Image: Paul Greenwood/Shutterstock)
Read more: Grand National ace tells our readers the horse all the others ‘have to be beat’
Read more: ‘I spent 6 hours at Grand National legend’s yard – one thing stood out’
Melissa is the current Racing Post National Press Challenge champion after leading the field of 11 tipsters to the finish in 2025. The stamina-sapping competition was based on more than 9,600 selections throughout the year.
Only days ago, Barry Geraghty suggested I Am Maximus could achieve an unlikely Grand National consecutive placing treble – after the horse won in 2024, came second in 2025, and ended up winning again on Saturday.
Days before the big race, chatting to the Express in the parade ring at Aintree, William Hill ambassador Barry, told us: “I think the horse to finish second last year, I Am Maximus – who won it the year before – is the horse to have to beat.
“His preparation has gone better this year. He’s probably shown a higher level of form, too. The fact that Paul Townend rides tells you everything about his chance.
“The more I look at it, the more I keep coming back to him. I think he is the one to beat.”
Chris Riches with Barry Geraghty (Image: Andrew Stenning/Daily Express)
A fortnight ago the Express was invited to the Jackdaw Castle yard in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, belonging to training father and son Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, to see how horses are pampered and trained for the big 30-fence race.
While there, AJ, 26, introduced us to Grand National runner Johnnywho, and during our chat we wished the horse all the best in the race ahead.
At the time, when we asked AJ about Johnnywho’s chances of winning, he said: “It’s a long-distance race, so getting into a nice rhythm is very key and stamina then kicks in. We’re really looking forward to seeing him run – it’s an amazing sight!”
So we were thrilled for AJ and Jonjo to see Johnnywho expertly navigate past falling horses, show his grit and determination and eventually finish fourth out of a starting field of 34 runners.
After the race AJ said: “He ran an absolute cracker. We are absolutely delighted. It maybe got a little bit congested in the later stages, but it didn’t hamper him too much.
“Richie (McLernon the jockey) gave him a lovely ride and had him in a lovely spot all the way through. He jumped away well all the way and enjoyed himself.”