Grand National LIVE: Winner, results and reaction from dramatic race at Aintree
The biggest race in the British horse racing calendar concluded the three-day festival at Aintree
I Am Maximus won the 2024 Grand National at Aintree in a topsy-turvy race where a winner couldn’t be called until the final straight. The 2023 champion Corach Rambler unseated jockey Derek Fox at the first fence which opened up the field for the rest of the riders.
Glengouly set the early pace fighting for the front with Foxy Jacks as the experienced jockeys looked to position themselves in the middle of the pack. Kitty’s Light moved up to third with Latenightpass and Galia Des Liteaux making charges towards the front of the field.
Rachael Blackmore’s Minella Indo and Jack Kennedy’s Delta Work - both 28/1- battled for the lead as Paul Townend and I Am Maximus kicked on.
Blackmore leapt the last slightly ahead but didn’t have the staying power, as I Am Maximus swept past and stormed to the finish line to win with ease – handing trainer Willie Mullins his second Grand National victory after Hedgehunter in 2005.
Follow along with our blog below for all the reaction from Aintree:
AP McCoy names Willie Mullins contender as horse he would choose to ride in Grand National
Sir AP McCoy has nominated I Am Maximus as the horse he would choose to ride in this year’s Randox Grand National.
McCoy, who famously won the National at the 15th attempt on Don’t Push It, is now an ambassador for William Hill, who arranged a video montage on the St John’s Beacon in Liverpool city centre to celebrate the race.
While he may have been champion jockey 20 times, he admits that had he never won the National, he would have retired with a sense of unfulfillment.
McCoy names Mullins contender as horse he would choose to ride in Grand National
McCoy has backed I Am Maximus to go well in Saturday’s showpiece
1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle full results
1. Brighterdaysahead - 6/5F
2. Staffordshire Knot - 20/1
3. Bugise Seagull - 50/1
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD wins the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
That was more than comfortable in the end. Jack Kennedy and Brighterdaysahead ran a perfect race and made their move heading into the final hurdle.
There was a response but this horse was too good and powerful.
1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Heading towards the last, Brighterdaysahead makes his move and pushes out into the lead. He clears the final hurdle and no-one is going to catch him!
1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Three hurdles to go and Esprit Du Potier has taken the lead. Bugsie Seagull is in second with Brightersdaysahead moving out wide into third.
1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
The whole pack are well grouped together with seven hurdles to go. Ile Atlantique is up to fourth and looks to be positioning himself for the latter stages.
Josh The Boss still sets the pace at the front.
1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Josh The Boss set off at 50-1 in this small field and leads over these opening stages with Esprit Du Potier a neck behind in second place.
1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
And they’re off! There’s only eight horses racing in this one. Rachael Blackmore is atop Mahons Way with Paul Townend riding Jimmy Du Seuil.
1.55pm - Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Next up is the Turners Mersey Novices Hurdle. Most of the main jockeys are riding in this one with Brighterdaysahead, ridden by Jack Kennedy, the overwhelming favourite.
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