Rachael Blackmore and Paul Townend suffer nasty falls ahead of Grand National

Rachael Blackmore and Paul Townend both suffered nasty falls at Aintree ahead of their rides in the Grand National.

The pair were in action in the Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle at the Liverpool venue in the build-up to the big race on Saturday.

Townend was riding 100-30 shot Dark Raven when the gelding took a crashing fall at the seventh hurdle to send the Corkman flying to the turf.

The 32-year-old got gingerly to his feet after the fall, but unfortunately, his mount had to be put down after sustaining a fatal injury.

Blackmore was running a big race on 50/1 outsider Cool Survivor when the gelding took a crashing fall at the third last hurdle.

Fortunately, both the Tipperary jockey and her horse were able to get up off the turf.

The race was won by Gordon Elliott's Irish Point who was an impressive winner at odds of 5/1 in the hands of Davy Russell.

Townend is booked to ride the fancied Gaillard Du Mesnil in the Grand National for Willie Mullins, while Blackmore rides the equally-fancied Ain't That a Shame in a race she won in 2021 on Minella Times.