06 April 2023 , 14:31
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A one-year-old child born with a rare condition has been announced as the honorary 41st runner in next week’s Randox Grand National.
Frankie and his mother Jessica will be guests at Aintree after receiving their tickets for the world famous race from record-breaking jockey Rachael Blackmore.
Frankie was diagnosed with gastroschisis and was born with his bowels on the outside of his stomach which meant he had to undergo surgery within hours of birth at the world renowned Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.
It is the continuation of a 21 year link between Aintree’s owners The Jockey Club and Alder Hey, which will also be the headline sponsor of the Aintree Bowl this year.
During the Grand National meeting jockeys pay an annual visit to the hospital with Harry Skelton, Bridget Andrews, Henry Brooke, Nico de Boinville and ITV ’s Mick Fitzgerald confirmed attendees which will also include an appearance by Neptune Collonges, winner of the 2012 Grand National.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the Grand National on Minella Times in 2021, said: “Frankie and his mum Jessica are truly inspirational in the way they have faced up to the challenges life has presented them with. It was a privilege to meet them both and witness the unwavering support they have received from all the team at Alder Hey.
“It’s fantastic to have Frankie as the 41st runner this year and I look forward to catching up with them both again on Randox Grand National Day.”
Gastroschisis is a rare condition which affects only one in 3,000 babies. The surgery can only be carried out in a specialised children’s hospital like Alder Hey which meant Frankie was separated from his mother until she was discharged from her own local hospital the following day.
The 41st runner initiative began in 2017 when five-year-old Neuroblastoma campaigner Bradley Lowery, who sadly died three months later, was awarded the honour.
In 2018, it was given to three-year-old Edie Molyneux, who suffered from a rare brain tumour called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). "Spider-Ede" - as she was affectionately known due to her love of Spiderman - sadly passed away in October of 2018.
The most recent 41st runners were Liverpool teenager Lydia Barker, who struggled with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Betty Batt, four who was born prematurely and spent the first 13 months of her life in hospital, primarily at Alder Hey.