Grand National 2011 – in pictures

It's a beautiful sunny day up at Aintree – will a new name be etched into the winners' board? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Racegoers leave tributes at Red Rum's grave Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Though Ladies' Day was yesterday, there's plenty of big hats on display today Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The punters enjoy the sunshine before the racing starts Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A woman posing as a statue of a jockey enjoys a joke with some punters Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Due to the sunshine, there aren't too many takers for the thick scarves in famous colours Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Jonjo O'Neill, wearing the famous colours of JP McManus, comes out of the weighing room to lead off a special Aintree Legends charity race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Former winner Bob Champion squeezes into the thick woollen colours that he wore on Aldaniti when winning the Grand National 30 years ago Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

There's quite a bit of interest in the Aintree Legends race, the proceeds of which will go to the Bob Champion Cancer Trust Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Members of the armed forces admire The Chair Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

John McCririck takes a break from his presenting duties on Racing UK Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

...whilst Rafa Benítez is on Football Focus interviewing duty, quizzing trainer Paul Nicholls Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

It's a sell out at Aintree and the stands are packed as the first race gets under way Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

There are jet streams and high wispy clouds in the blue sky as the runners pass by the stands for the first time Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Barry Geraghty on Oscar Whiskey clears the last fence and wins the Aintree Hurdle Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Time for the main event as the runners and riders make their way to the start Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Where they mill about in front of the packed stand ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... and they're off! Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Jason Maguire on Ballabriggs jumps the huge ditch in front of The Chair Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... and lands cleanly on the other side Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

With Oscar Time and Sam Whaley-Cohen breathing down their necks, Maguire urges Ballabriggs on down the home straight Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Maguire celebrates victory as Ballabriggs crosses the finish line Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The winning horse gets oxygen from a vet after being worked so hard during the race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Santa's Son gets sprayed with water to cool down Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Ballabriggs is splashed with water to cool him down as he is led to the stables to recover, rather than going to the winner's enclosure Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Meanwhile, the winning jockey is dwarfed by the mounted riders as he is escorted to the winner's enclosure minus his mount Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Donald McCain, left, the trainer of the winner, Ballabriggs, embraces his father Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum to victory three times in this race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Maguire gets a hug from Ballabriggs' owner, Trevor Hemmings Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer