A very big moment for me personally as I attended Aintree racecourse for the first time and more significantly, the Grand National race day. An event which inspires the younger generation on the television and a yearly tradition for the older racing fans. Grand National day is one of Liverpool's biggest sporting events of the year; beaten only by the Merseyside Derby. Tens of thousands of racegoers descended on Aintree to create a festival atmosphere on this special day. 
The main feature of the day was obviously the Grand National itself, but the action on the track was of the highest quality and provided plenty of talent and excitement. Three Grade One races took place during the big race build up along with valuable handicaps. Plenty of high class names were present in Liverpool after competing at the Cheltenham Festival the previous month. It would be a beautiful Spring day with bright sunshine and only minimal cloud cover and acceptable temperatures. The grandstands would be jam-packed with spectators all looking to sample a part of history on the track. 

Race One: The Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade One) (Two miles) 
Winner: JONBON (#4) - A. Coleman - N. Henderson - Walk In The Park x Star Face. 
Next up on the card came the turn of the speedsters as the two mile Maghull novice chase provided a follow up to Cheltenham's Arkle Chase. In recent years, some of this generation's best two mile chasers have landed this race in easy fashion such as Douvan, Sprinter Sacre and Shishkin, while Edwardstone suffered a shock reversal twelve months ago but has proven himself at the highest level. 
This year's renewal attracted a small field for the Grade One, but one of national hunt's star names was present to start the day with a bang. The very exciting Jonbon was rerouted to the Maghull Novices' Chase instead of an alternative entry on the Thursday. A high class novice hurdler and chaser, he could only muster second in the Arkle at Cheltenham behind El Fabiolo and returned to the scene of his Grade One hurdle win last year. The full brother to also high class Douvan faced three rivals after the late defections of Banbridge and Notlongtillmay. Elsewhere in the field, Calico; who infamously gave Jonbon a fright when they last faced each other, progressive Fusain and Marvel de Cerisy completed the lineup.  
The early pace looked very honest as the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Marvel de Cerisy galloped ahead in front. Aidan Coleman was content to keep the leader in his sights while Calico followed in third and Fusain struggled to keep up. Entering the final stages of the race, Marvel de Cerisy began to fade and paddle backwards as Jonbon saw clear daylight ahead of him. Calico and Dan Skelton had made stealthy progress into second and it looked like a repeat of Warwick's scare was on the cards. The Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon seemed to have the race sewn up at the final fence as Calico came crashing down in a brutal fall. Thankfully he got up again but it left Marvel de Cerisy to inherit second, some forty seven lengths behind and Fusain took home some decent prize money for completing in third. 
It was a spectacular display from the seven year old and a step in the right direction after losing nothing in defeat at Cheltenham. It would be another Maghull Novice Chase for Nicky Henderson following his other star two mile chasers in recent times. It will be expected of Jonbon to compete in the championship races next year. 

Race Two: The Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle (Class One) (3 miles, 1 furlong)
Winner: WEST BALBOA (#12) - H. Skelton - D. Skelton - Yeats x Rostellan 
A valuable and competitive handicap over the staying distance of an extended three miles, the race is akin to the Pertemps Final Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival and many runners from that festival lined up once again at Aintree in this contest. Last year's race was won by the Ian Williams-trained Party Business who was appropriately named for the occasion at Aintree and this year's running saw another big field. 
The defending champion was amongst those lining up in a large field on the Aintree turf as the Cheltenham's Pertemps Final Handicap played a role in the line up too. Emphatic winner Good Time Jonny was aiming for a spring festival double while Mill Green and Walking On Air, third and fifth respectively at Cheltenham, joined in the action. It would prove a very tricky puzzle for punters to solve. 
As expected the field was very tightly grouped heading to the final two hurdles with many in with a chance. As the race changed complexion many times, early leaders Glimpse of Gala and Outlaw Peter began to drop away which set it up for those held up. The pink and blue silks of West Balboa was spotted travelling very smoothly on the far side. The mare bounded clear on the quick ground, looking far better than her handicap rating. She crossed the line five lengths clear of Pounding Poet and the game Mill Green who finished third for the fourth time in a row. Joint favourite Good Time Johnny attempted to weave his magic like he did at Cheltenham with the last gasp win under Liam McKenna, but he could only take fourth this time; finishing strongly. It would be a popular victory for punters as Harry Skelton produced one of his "no hands" celebrations once again. 

Race Three: The Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade One) (Two miles, four furlongs) 
Winner: IRISH POINT - D. Russell - G. Elliott (Ire) - Joshua Tree x Burkina
The second of three Grade One races on the card took place and it was the turn of the youngsters for the Mersey Novice Hurdle over the intermediate trip of 2 miles and 4 furlongs. A regular feature of the meeting, the showcase for the future has seen some hall of fame names on the list of previous winners. Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Wayward Lad and Best Mate both won renewals of this race as well as future Champion Hurdle winner Morley Street. 
The class of 2023 would feature many more names from the Cheltenham Festival after the four week break between meetings and the race lived up to its highest calibre status. Leading contender would be Hermes Allen, who was looking to put a disappointing Cheltenham run behind him after winning at Grade One level previously. One who did win at the Cotswold festival lined up at Aintree in opposition. The mare You Wear It Well, a rapidly improving type for Jamie Snowden, won the Mares' Novice Hurdle comfortably and added a new dimension to the race. Highly promising types for the future included Dark Raven, Irish Point, Crambo and Kateira to name a few. 
As the sun beat down, the horses gleamed in their coats and it was won in the style of a high class horse for years to come. In the early stages, the mare You Wear It Well and Hermes Allen cut out the early running and it would be set up for a horse coming from off the pace once again. Approaching the second last, the dark grey Irish Point arrived on the scene travelling well and came clear from his rivals. The five year old met the final hurdle on a good stride and had the race in keeping, seeing out the trip well. The filly Kateira chased Irish Point home in vain, but could never get close. Hermes Allen held on for third in a return to form. 
The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding has always been highly touted and looks set to be a high class chaser in the coming seasons for his owners Robcour. It will be no surprise to see the grey return to Aintree again, next time over the bigger obstacles.  

Race Four: The JLT Liverpool Hurdle (Grade One) (Three miles)
Winner: SIRE DU BERLAIS (#9) - M. Walsh - G. Elliott (Ire) (Poliglote x Royale Athenia) 
A relatively new race for the Aintree racecourse, but a one which has a deep history in the staying hurdle division. Originally held at Ascot, the race was switched to Aintree in 2004 and extended in distance by a furlong. The change to a flat galloping track has seen plenty of returning winners, none more so than the brilliant Big Buck's, who won this race four times in an 18 race winning streak. Winners of Cheltenham's World Hurdle have regularly landed the Liverpool feature subsequently including Solwhit, Thistlecrack and Iris's Gift. 
Plenty of regular faces in the staying hurdling division took part in the race, including four of the first five home in Cheltenham's feature event; Sire Du Berlais, Dashel Drasher, Flooring Porter and Home By The Lee. Of those who skipped the Festival in March, Champ was the highest profile name as a Grade One winner over fences and hurdles and Aintree specialist Brewin'upastorm made a return to Merseyside. The once-highly promising Monmiral reverted back to hurdles here after a chasing career this season failed to go as planned. 
The race would provide an exciting finish between the winner and runner up, in which the outcome wasn't so certain in the early stages. Regular front runner Flooring Porter, twice a Cheltenham Stayers' Hurdle winner, set out on his usual merry way and Cheltenham runner up Dashel Drasher followed him early on. Sire Du Berlais raced at the rear and gave his supporters a few worrying moments when Mark Walsh began to push his mount along at an early stage. As the field passed the packed grandstands three times during the race, the order saw little change for most of the race. Heading towards the final hurdle, Marie's Rock travelled powerfully into contention and looked set to bound clear on her first attempt at three miles. Sire Du Berlais had made some ground up and came to challenge the mare at the last. Landing just in front, the Irish-trained eleven-year-old dug in deep to repel Maries Rock and land the race for a second year in a row. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding has enjoyed a long career but has often been underrated by many. He is now a three time Grade One winner and high class on his day. 

Race Five: The William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Three miles, one furlong)
Winner: MIDNIGHT RIVER (#2) - H. Skelton - D.Skelton - Midnight Legend x Well Connected
Another valuable and competitive handicap which also served up as the appetiser for the big one, the Grand National. The handicap not only precedes the biggest race of the season, but it provides clues for runners in the future. Don't Push It landed the 2009 renewal before landing the following year's Grand National on a memorable day for jockey A P McCoy. Eleven years ago, Saint Are took home the prize before returning to Aintree to finish second and third in the 2015 and 2017 Grand Nationals. 
Many were stepping up in trip for the first time, but Aintree's flat nature negated the emphasis on stamina. Midnight River, winner at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, lined up for the Skeltons while Nassalam, Karl Philippe and Shakem Up'Arry all lined up after bold efforts at the Cheltenham Festival. Heading the weights was the popular grey Eldorado Allen, who was taking a drop in class having contested the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time out. Irish runner Darrens Hope came oh so close to competing in the following Grand National, but the mare would end up being two below the cut off point. A bitterly disappointing outcome for her connections, but it would be a nice alternative prize to win. 
The race would see another dramatic finish which the order changed numerous times in the final stages. The grey veteran Eldorado Allen led through the early part and jumped fences like a stag on occasions as Shakem Up'arry kept the leader honest. Many travelled smoothly in contention and that included the red silks of Midnight River for the Skeltons once again. The first five came clear of the remainder and the lead changed hands three times on the long run in. The Ben Pauling-trained Bowtogreatness appeared from nowhere and looked set to cause another shock in the race. He and Midnight River surged forward under maximum effort and it would be Midnight River who was the stronger finisher, enjoying the emphasis on speed here. It would be another high profile handicap win for the son of Midnight River and there was big celebrations in the parade ring once again from connections. It would be cap a great day for the Dan Skelton stable with two winners on the day. 

For coverage of the Grand National race in its entirety, please follow the link below.

Race Seven: The Weatherbys nhstallion.co.uk National Hunt Flat Race (Grade Two) (Two miles)
Winner: FLORIDA DREAMS (#8) - D. McMenamin - N. Richards - Doyen x First Line
The finale of the meeting came late in the day once the celebration and appreciation of the Grand National winner had died down. The Grade Two flat race has regularly produced a star of the future with multiple grade one winners amongst the roll of honour. The New One, Barters Hill, Bacardys and Lalor all went on to win at the highest level over hurdles.
The race was once again well supported by leading trainers on both sides of the Irish Sea and many followed up their run at Cheltenham with a trip to the North-West. 
For punters who stayed behind after welcoming the latest winner of the Grand National, there was a tricky yet informative bumper to solve. The field was filled with plenty of last time out winners and highly promising sorts for the novice hurdle scene next year. The Cheltenham Festival bumper form was represented by Captain Cody, sixth that day, and he would be highly respected for the Willie Mullins stable. Other debutant winners lining up included Go To War, Centara and Florida Dreams amongst a bumper field for the flat race. 

The field of twenty were tightly bunched throughout and each horse would have every chance towards the finish. Rounding the bend into the home straight, some minor scrimmaging caused interference to the Paul Nicholls-trained Centara who was quickly pulled up, thankfully unhurt. At the business end of the race, there was a familiar sight in a 'bumper', a Willie Mullins-trained horse travelling powerfully with his jockey still upright. Blizzard Of Oz looked menacing and appeared on the scene looking like he would bolt up, but on the far side rail, the pink and black silks of Florida Dreams had been grinding away and gaining ground. The pair came clear of the remainder again and Blizzard Of Oz found less than anticipated off the bridle. Danny McMenamin would be rewarded for his tenacity in the saddle as the Nicky Richards-trained five-year-old bravely landed the Grade Two on just his second start. The son of Doyen had won first time out at Musselburgh at the start of this year and was clearly well touted. It would be a win on his only ride of the day for McMenamin and a poignant moment for winner owner Jimmy Fyffe, who had so cruelly lost one of his stars Hill Sixteen in the Grand National just an hour before.