Shakalakaboomboom and Seabass were the
hot favourites in the lead up to the 2012 Aintree National, with both
backed into 8-1 joint favourites. Overcast skies were thankfully not
accompanied by rain, as the excitement of the race reached fever
point. It was this excitement that may have played its part in Tony
McCoy’s mount Synchronised unseating the jocky at the tape,
escaping the clutches of the stable hands and running free onto the
course.
This was followed by further delays, as
two false starts ensued from the over keenness of several riders. The
anticipation reach fever pitch, as well as the fear that a repeat of
the 1993 ‘non-race’ debacle could be realised.
They’re Underway!
Fortunately, that was not the case, as
the race got under way to enormous cheers from the Aintree crowd.
The 80-1 outsider Viking Blond was the
only faller at the first and all but Tom Scudamore on Junior and West
End Rocker managed to clear the second unscathed. Neptune Collonges
was the early front runner, closely followed by almost the entire
field, with the race yet to take shape.
Over Becher’s for the first time, it
was Katie Walsh ahead on Shakalakaboomboom, with the field stretching
out as this tough fence reduced the field down to 33 with the exit of
the ill fated Synchronised after unseating champion jockey A P McCoy.
Going over Canal Turn, the order the remained the same at the front,
with the other favourite Seabass well placed in 3rd.
The race reached its halfway point with
Planet of Sound around 4 lengths ahead of a now 24 strong field and
the pace was proving too much for many of them, causing the remaining
runners to spread out over almost half a furlong.
After much jostling for position and
several more fences, Becher’s was fast approaching with Richard
Johnson on Planet of Sound leading, Shakalakaboomboom second and the
14 year old Hello Bud in third
The National course was really taking
its toll, as Foinavon was cleared with the runners down to 16, who
were themselves spread out, with the same three horses vying for the
title and Neptune Collonges running well a few lengths back. The pace
picked up turning for home with 8 horses within touching distance of
the front and it was promising to be a tight finish.
Over the final fence, there was nothing
to choose between Seabass, Neptune Collonges and Shakalakaboomboom
and the excitement remained right to the line, with the Grey Neptune
Collonge involved in a photo finish with Richie McLernon after making
an amazing comeback to steal it on the line.
One of the most excitingly close
Nationals on record was called in Neptune Collonge’s favour by the
Judge and it was a fairytale for the horse who was running his last
ever race, jockey Daryl Jacob and John Hales who had finally got
himself a winner at the 52nd attempt.
What a day. What a race.
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