Amateur jockey David Maxwell will 'live his dream' when he rides in the Randox Grand National for the first time at Aintree Racecourse this Saturday.
The 45-year-old recently bought the Henry De Bromhead-trained Ain't That A Shame – who was last of the 17 finishers under Rachael Blackmore in last year's Aintree marathon – with the sole intention of partnering in the 176th running of the world's greatest steeplechase.
Although it will be Maxwell's debut, it won't be his first time riding over the famous Grand National fences. And it will also bring back memories of his family's connection to the New Zealand-bred Grand National winner Rhyme 'N' Reason 46 years after his victory. Back in 1988 Rhyme 'N' Reason – despite almost falling at Becher's Brook on the first circuit – eventually came home to triumph under Brendan Powell to beat Durham Edition by four lengths. Having been associated with Rhyme 'N' Reason since birth for the Maxwell family it was an emotional victory. And property developer Maxewll recalled: "My main Grand National memory is Rhyme 'N' Reason. My mother bred the horse, then my dad trained him for his first bumper wins before he went to England to be trained by David Murray Smith and latterly David Elsworth.
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"I remember it like it was yesterday. He was headed in the closing stages by Durham Edition, but he was a bit of an old rogue and as soon as he hit the front, he felt like he'd done enough – and Rhyme 'N' Reason was as game as a badger and won by four lengths. The entire Maxwell family were screaming their heads off, my mother was nine months pregnant with my now 35-year-old sister. Just 10 minutes after the race, the gynaecologist was sitting
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