The pre race betting had Barry Geraghty
and Tony McCoy riding the two 10-1 joint favourites going into the
2010 Aintree Grand National and a smooth start saw an unfortunate
moment for St John’s Castle, as the horse ridden by Paul Carberry
refused to leave the start area.
28-1 shot, Eric’s Charm fell at the
1st and a tight field was still yet to produce a clear leader running
towards the second fence. Grey skies did nothing to temper the
atmosphere as the cheering crowd were full of voice, each cheering on
their own particular favourite.
100-1 outsider Conna Castle reached
Becher’s Brook first with a clear 4 length lead, with Black
Apalachi and Hello Bud following ahead of a now stretched field.
Conna Castle turned wide at Canal Turn, sporting his easily
identifiable white nose band, but he recovered to retain his place at
the front, with 35 of the 40 starters still running.
This is how it remained for the next
few fences and it was only at the Chair that the pack made some
headway towards the leading trio. The pace quickened and it was
outsider Conna Castle ridden by Sean Flanagan that drew neck and neck
with Denis O’Regan on Black Apalachi some 5 lengths clear at the
front, leaving Hello Bud a distant 3rd.
Heading over Becher’s for the second
time, Black Apalachi had seized the initiative, stealing a 7 length
lead, with Conna Castle fading badly. AP McCoy’s Don’t Push It
accelerated to close in on the leaders from a good distance behind
and draw alongside.
Heading For Home
Over the Melling Road, it was a four
horse race, with Don’t Push It now level with Black Apalachi, Big
Fella Thanks and Hello Bud running round the final bend. McCoy’s
presence at the front began to draw a enthusiastic roar from the
assembled crowd as these four were well clear of the rest.
Irish Joy
The last fence saw McCoy hit the front
and Hello Bud drop away, leaving a straight sprint for the line for
the remaining trio. Despite a strong challenge from Black Apalachi,
McCoy managed to get up in the final furlongs, getting to the line
first on Don’t Push. Despite winning multiple champion jockey
titles, this was his first Grand National win at the fifteenth
attempt and you could see it written across his face.
His joy was obvious, as it was for J P
McManus and Jonjo O’Neill. It was another great day at Aintree for
the Irish and a day of firsts, not least for the punter’s
favourite, Tony McCoy.
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