LIVERPOOL hero and horse racing fan Ian Rush came face to face with an Aintree legend in the run-up to this year’s Grand National.

Anfield’s all-time top goalscorer met Merseyside Police horse Jaguar, who has regularly played an important role on the big day.

Jaguar will lead the winner of the Grand National into the enclosure after previously having that honour in 2009.

And, to recognise 13 years of service to Aintree, he is also being made a Grand National “People’s Legend” by sponsors John Smiths.

And although Rush was leading Jaguar by the nose – the horse definitely had the former player’s number.

Rush famously wore the number nine shirt – and nine is Jaguar’s number in the force’s mounted section

Yesterday, Rush, who owns a horse stabled in Ireland, fed Jaguar a Polo or two while talking about how much he looks forward to the National.

He told the Daily Post: “It’s the most famous race in the world, I love going to Aintree over the Grand National meeting, it’s always a fantastic day out.

“I first went to the races in Chester with my dad when I was a kid and I’ve been a fan since then.”