There was a clear punter’s favourite
going into the 2015 Crabbie Grand National, as AP McCoy was bidding
for a first win in the race since 2010, with his horse
Shutthefrontdoor backed into 6-1. There were just 39 runners for the
first time in 11 years after number 14, Carlito Brigante was declared
as a non-runner shortly before the race and a glorious Aintree,
bathed in sunshine, roared as the starter raised his flag.
They sped towards the first fence,
which was cleared by all but three horses, as outsiders Ely Brown and
Gas Line Boy came a cropper, along with Denis O’Regan on Al Co. Bob
Ford was the lead horse heading towards the second, but it was too
early to tell how the race would pan out.
Becher’s
A clearer picture was forming over
Becher’s for the first time, as Rebel Rebellion took the initiative
to pull 2 lengths ahead of the nearest challenger. By the Canal Turn,
the casualty count had risen to nine, with Richard John and Balthazar
King falling, also taking Ruby Walsh on Ballycasey out of the race as
he did so.
Ryan Mahon was still travelling well at
the front on Rebel Rebellion heading towards the half way point of
the race and the chasing pack included favourite Shutthefrontdoor in
around 6th place. A great cheer rose into the sky as the horses
passed in front of the grandstand with the field beginning to stretch
out and 33-1 shot Rainbow Hunter joined the lead with Aidan Coleman
on The Druid’s Nephew.
Obstruction
The same three shared the lead going
over Becher’s for the second time as an announcement came out over
the tannoy that obstructions at Canal Turn would meant it would be
omitted from the rest of the race. Rebel Rebellion started to tire
shortly after and dropped well away, leaving The Druid’s Nephew,
Soll and Many Clouds contending for the lead, with Shutthefrontdoor
on their shoulder.
The 4th from last saw the end of the
action for The Druid’s Nephew as AP looked to be moving ominously
towards the front, but it was Many Clouds ridden by last year’s
winning jockey Leighton Aspell that was setting the pace.
Irish Joy
This is how it stayed for the rest of
the race and it was Leighton Aspell who provided Trevor Hemmings with
his first National winner since Ballabriggs in 2011. It was the first
time a jockey had won back to back Nationals since the mid 70s when
the feat was achieved by Brian Fletcher on the legend that was Red
Rum.
It had been another great occasion at
Aintree and none thought more so than everyone connected to Many
Clouds.
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