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Another legend was born after three wonderful days of racing at Aintree as I Am Maximus was victorious in the Randox Grand National, regaining the crown he won two years ago.
The sell-out crowd enjoyed an afternoon of high-quality racing on the track, before legendary DJ, Pete Tong, headlined an epic afterparty in Red Rum Garden. It was a Randox Grand National Day packed with highlights...
I AM MAXIMUMS REGAINS HIS CROWN
I Am Maximus (9-2 Fav) defied top weight to win his second Randox Grand National and became the first horse to regain the crown since the great Red Rum in 1977.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins, talking after securing a record-equalling fourth win in the race said: “Anyone would be emotional. Wow. It was a good call from JP (McManus), I wanted to go for the Gold Cup and he said we’re going to stay for Aintree as he felt he was well handicapped. Paul just executed it so well, didn’t he?
“It’s very hard (to win off top weight), but maybe the modern day National is changing and we have to look at it differently.”
Watching on from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital was The Jockey Club’s honorary 35th runner in the race, Oliver Christie, who was joined by friends and family in their incredible cinema room. Five-year-old Oliver, who lives with a life-limiting condition Congenital Heart Disease, with his main condition Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, was cheering for Grangeclare West, ridden by one of his favourite jockeys, Patrick Mullins.
A QUADRUPLE FOR SKELTON
Dan Skelton had a Randox Grand National Day to remember with a stunning 10,581 -1 four-timer as Mirabad (50-1), Bossman Jack (11-4 Joint-Fav), Mr Hope Street (4-1) and Forthfactor (10-1) all scored to take him closer to a first trainer’s championship.
It capped a brilliant Randox Grand National festival for the Alcester-based trainer who also took home the Holland Cooper leading trainer title, with brother Harry Skelton crowned the Holland Cooper leading jockey.
Speaking about Mr Hope Street Dan Skelton said: “He’s named after the Hope Street Hotel [where Dan and many other trainers stay during Aintree] - it’s meant to be, sometimes, isn’t it? That’s life. And Polly, our head girl, who looks after him and rides him. She’s come up here for three days, she’s nearly given herself liver failure, and if she hasn’t done that in three days, she’ll accomplish it tonight!”
MIRABAD SPRINGS A 50-1 SUPRISE
Tristan Durrell got Grand National Day underway in style as he piloted 50-1 chance Mirabad to victory in the opening Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull.
Picking up 8-11 Favourite Salvator Mundi going to the last, Mirabad ran on strongly for a convincing six-length success, landing Durell his first Grade One and taking him a step closer to winning the conditional jockeys’ title.
Speaking about potentially winning the conditional jockey’s title, Tristan Durrell said: “I’m not counting my chickens yet but it’s looking that way now and I’ll hopefully get across the line. Coming here and winning a Grade One is topping off an amazing season.”
