SOUL OF SPORT: Crowds flock to Aintree to enjoy a Grand National Festival of fashion, frivolity and racing which culminated in Saturday’s epic… with ANDY HOOPER capturing all the emotion


  • Racegoers were pictured enjoying the festivities at Aintree as crowds descended on Liverpool
  • Punters dressed to impressed, enjoyed a tipple and were seen enjoying a dance at this weekend’s races
  • Willie Mullins claimed his second Grand National win as I Am Maximus powers to victory on Saturday  

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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