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7 months ago
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Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For the latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER travelled to Aintree in Liverpool to capture all the sights from the Grand National Festival at Aintree.
Huge crowds flocked to the iconic race meeting on Thursday for the start of the weekend, with fans spotted enjoying all the frivolities that this historic race has to offer.
Next came Ladies Day, and there was plenty of fashion on show, as punters dressed to impress on Friday, with big hats, suave suits and high heels spotted around the race course as Nicky Henderson's Jonbon returned to top form, claiming victory in the My Pension Melling Chase.
The weekend was lit up by Willie Mullins' second Grand National win as as I Am Maximus stormed to a superb seven-and-a-half length victory from runner-up Delta Work in what was a thrilling race.
Our cameraman captured the action using Nikon Z8 and Z9 cameras with 24-70mm and 70-200 lenses.
It was a bit soft underfoot this weekend, as one jockey was seen returning to the paddock with mud splattered all over his face
The riders set off on Thursday, leaping over several fences that were dotted around the lushous green race track at Aintree
A jockey sits on the floor after falling from their horse, as the rest of the field continue on with the race
Aintree boasts a capacity of 75,000 fans, with hundreds of punters lining the gantrys, walkways and stands around the track
Some spectators in the crowds jumped on eachother's shoulders to get a more advantageous view of the race track
The tension was palpable as some punters screamed, shouted and danced in a bid to spur their horses on to victory
A jockey and horse leap over a fence at Aintree. There are 16 individual hurdles dotted around the Grand National course
Aintree is all about fashion, but when the rain comes down sometimes style has to come second to stay dry!
The party begins! Patrons enjoy the festivities at Aintree, with some spotted enjoying a few drinks and a dance
Three-time Grand National winner and legendary Irish champion Red Rum's grave is situated by the winning post at Aintree
There were some brilliant hats being sported this year, but in the windy conditions some had a hard time keeping them on
A seasoned race goer shows off their colourful collection of passes and badges from venues around the country
The festival hosted 21 races across a three-day festival, which culminated in the historic Grand Naitonal on Saturday
Grounds staff take their time to ensure the fences on the track are in emmaculate condition ahead of each race
But their work is shortly undone, with some fences around the course being battered by the horses as they jump over them
Even some younger fans were encapsulated in the action and were seen biting their knuckles as the tension mounted
It was a busy weekend of racing and amid all the action some punters were seen taking a little rest against the fences
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