LIVERPOOL, England – One of the most anticipated events in Britain’s sporting calendar is set to take place on Saturday as the Grand National horse race commences at Aintree in northwest England. The front-runner for the challenging steeplechase featuring 30 fences is Maximus, the reigning champion from 2024 aiming to achieve a rare back-to-back victory, a feat accomplished only by Red Rum in the 1970s. Despite carrying the top weight in the race, Maximus is determined to replicate his impressive 7½-length win from last year. Owned by JP McManus, who is vying for a record-breaking fourth National title, Maximus leads a field of 34 competitors for the 177th edition of the prestigious 4¼-mile (6.9 kilometers) race that garners widespread attention through office sweepstakes and scrutiny from animal rights advocates. Notorious for its formidable hurdles, the Grand National has implemented new safety measures in recent years to mitigate risks. The race is scheduled to kick off at 1500 GMT. ___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
