Jockey Paul Townend is rewarded with a kiss from his girlfriend after winning the £1million Grand...

I Am Maximus went into the 4pm at Aintree as a frontrunner with odds of 7/1. Jockey plants a kiss on girlfriend Anna Paoletti's cheek after maiden win. READ MORE:Jockey Paul Townend has said he is a 'lucky boy' after riding joint favourite I Am Maximus to an emphatic win in 2024's thrilling Grand National.

The newly rescheduled 4pm at Aintree began with a shock as last year's winner fell at the first hurdle - but organisers will have been relieved animal activists kept their promise of staying away from the course. Paul Townend rides I Am Maximus to victory in the 2024 Grand National at Aintree on Saturday afternoonJockey Paul Townsend said it had been an 'unbelievable race' on an 'unbelievable horse'

'He got careful on the second circuit but I was trying to conserve energy. I didn't get the clearest run between the second-last and last.'READ MORE: Aintree's racegoers down champagne and celebrate bets coming in as they watch the Grand National in six-inch stilettos and high hemlines Advertisement Townend and Mullins add the Grand National to their Cheltenham Gold Cup success with Galopin des Champs in March but for the jockey this was vastly different.

Mullins added: 'He's a tremendous horse. He has his own way of doing things, he's quirky and immature but he's learning all the time. I Am Maximus then broke away, having built up reserves during the race to surge ahead in the final furlongs - to claim the £1million prize pot. Willie Mullins, owner J.P. McManus, his grandchildren and Paul Townend celebrate with the trophy after the win

Jockey Ben Harvey is unseated from Mahler Mission and jockey Brian Hayes is unseated from Mr Incredible after clearing The ChairThe race got off to a surprising start with Corach Rambler taking an early tumble after winning last year's steeplechase Three horses died last year, including one in the signature 5.15pm at Aintree, but two have died after falling at obstacles at the Merseyside track - Giovinco in Friday's first race and Pikar in the last - during 2024's festival.

Corach Rambler won last year's 2023 Grand National and had been among the favourites for the 2024 run - before falling at the first hurdle

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Jockey Paul Townend is rewarded with a kiss from his girlfriend after winning the £1million Grand...Racegoers are enjoying a day out at Aintree despite criticism of the Grand National from animal rights protesters who delayed last year's race. About 80,000 people are expected at the Liverpool racecourse to see the world-famous steeplechase on the final day of the Randox Grand National Festival.
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