Sell-out crowd cheers on Grand National as punters return to races
Crowds cheered on the winner for the first time in three years.

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Your support makes all the difference.A sell-out crowd of 70,000 people cheered on Grand National winner Noble Yeats as punters were allowed back at Aintree racecourse for the steeplechase for the first time since 2019.
Rain and hail showers on Saturday failed to dampen the spirits of racegoers arriving for the final day of the three-day Grand National Festival at the Merseyside course, and the sun came out for the world-famous race.
The Duchess of Cornwall presented the Randox Grand National trophy to owner Robert Waley-Cohen and congratulated his son Sam Waley-Cohen, who won his final race before retirement.
Crowds cheered on the winner for the first time in three years, after the race meet was cancelled due to coronavirus in 2020 and held behind closed doors last year.
Gabriella Nielson, 27, from Prescot, Merseyside, said: āWe have missed it so much. Itās such a good day for everyone to get together.
āWhen you win it is the best feeling ever.ā
Her friend Rachel Carhart, 30, who was returning to Aintree for the 10th time, said: ā I love it, itās my favourite day. The atmosphere is amazing.ā
Nicky and Steven Baird were at the racecourse with their father George, after the family originally planned to come for his 70th birthday in 2020.
Mr Baird, from Glasgow, who wore a checked suit and bow tie with sparkly loafers, said: āWe ended up having a Zoom call for his birthday instead so not quite the same as Aintree.
āToday is going to be electric. We want to see Rachael Blackmore win in person this year.ā
Ms Baird added: āWeāre so excited to be here. I think itās 100% going to be extra special this year, it has to be.ā
Among those attending were Zara Tindall, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, and former Liverpool FC manager Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton said: āItās always lovely to be here and Iām thrilled to be back, especially given the last two years that everybody has had. Itās just nice to be out of the house.ā
Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter, at the races with fiance Ollie Piotrowski, said: āYou can feel the buzz here today that everybody is excited that weāre all out in this situation
āItās a huge thing, but I think particularly this year, because weāve missed it so much.ā
Football pundit Chris Kamara said: āItās unbelievable. I know thatās my catchphrase but I have never been to the National before, so thanks to Betway, who invited me, Iāve ticked it off the bucket list, so itās great.ā
Carl and Laura Gallimore had travelled from Birmingham to Aintree for the first time.
Mr Gallimore, 38, said: āWe just had to duck for cover to miss the big rain shower but the sunglasses are back on now so fingers crossed it is going to be a nice day.ā
Ian Hares, 36, and friends, from Andover, Hampshire, were also visiting the racecourse for the first time.
He said: āIt is amazing. Iāve been watching the Grand National on the television all through my life and I have always wanted to be here so it is a massive thrill.ā
Judith Beckett, 69, from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, returned to the course after attending Ladies Day on Friday.
She said: āThis is the big one. It is wonderful to be back, it was so lovely yesterday.
āItās been a long two years.ā