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14/11/2024 12:00

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    Grand National sixth places Downpatrick amateur David Maxwell's Aintree dream on another level
Grand National sixth places Downpatrick amateur David Maxwell's Aintree dream on another level
Grand National sixth places Downpatrick amateur David Maxwell's Aintree dream on another level. Source: thesun.co.uk/sport

Grand National sixth places Downpatrick amateur David Maxwell's Aintree dream on another level

David Maxwell characterised competing in the Randox Grand National this year as “better than anything I could ever have dreamed of” after finishing sixth on Ain’t That A Shame at Aintree.

The 10-year-old Henry de Bromhead-trained horse finished seventh in the hands of Rachael Blackmore when favoured for the race in 2023. After being bought by the real estate developer to realise his lifelong dream of competing in the National, the horse returned to Liverpool for another chance at the most renowned steeplechase in the world.

The Thyestes Chase scorer, who started at 40-1, was still in the running at the second last, admitting for a split second that he had entertained the thought that he would one day become one of the illustrious number of amateur pilots to win the National.

“It was way better than anything I could ever have dreamed of and there was no way I could ever have dreamed of still being in touch at the Melling Road with two to jump,” mentioned Maxwell. “You look around and there were plenty of good horses who had cried enough and although there were still plenty of good horses going well, my fella was going as well as anything at that point”.

He continued: “I just looked around and thought I was exactly where I wanted to be and then I looked around again and thought there are still a lot of horses still cruising here. After that, I was aiming to get home and see if I could get in the first six.“The National now is such a grade of race that you’ve basically got Gold Cup horses running in front of you and properly graded horses running in a handicap.”

Maxwell is accustomed to competing over the Grand National fences, having placed fourth in the amateur-only Foxhunters' event four times. However, his first attempt at running an additional lap in the renowned Aintree marathon more than met his expectations.

Additionally, Maxwell is actively attempting to surpass Dick Saunders' record and become the oldest jockey to win the event.

“One hundred per cent we’re going back next year. It will be Becher Chase, Thyestes Chase, Grand National,” said Maxwell. “The oldest winner of the National was 48 and I need to get a few more years of experience in before I can think of winning it. If I aim to win it in 2028 then I will be 49. Then I would be the oldest winner of the National!

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