The pre race favourite Blaklion was
backed into 8-1 with Noel Fehily in the saddle and a fine and bright
Aintree witnessed the opening throws of the race they’d all been
waiting for. Such was the anticipation that two false starts had to
be endured before the 169th Randox Health Grand National got
underway, but it did, much to the delight of the gathered thousands.
Roi de Franc was the early pace setter,
as the first two fences proved too much for Cocktails at Dawn and
Vicente. Sam Waley Cohen was forced out on The Young Master just 5
fences later at Becher’s Brook, along with the Raz de Maree as the
still 36 strong field jumped the Foinavon fence bathed in brilliant
sunshine.
The lead changed hands a number of
times and by the Canal Turn, there was a new leader in the form of
Rogue Angel ridden by Bryan Cooper with Roi de France tucked in
behind closely in 2nd.
The Chair
At the halfway stage, it was ‘as you
were’ with the red nose band of Roi de Franc leading by 3 lengths
from Rogue Angel and the rest of the field were spread over almost a
furlong. Jack Kennedy’s horse was carried out by a riderless horse
around the bend, losing a lot of ground, but the 50-1 shot recovered
strongly to regain the lead before the next fence.
Around Becher’s again and with the
finishing line just 8 fences away, Rogue Angel was looking the
stronger of the leading pair, with many wondering just how much
energy Roi de Franc would have left after having to recover after
nearly exiting the race.
The favourite Blaklion moved with
intent to the head of the field shortly after, with Rogue Angel
beginning to fade, but Roi de Franc was still hanging in in 3rd. Noel
Fehily was really pushing Blaklion over the Melling Road, pulling
away to a 3 length lead, but the chasing pack of 10 or so horses
included One For Arthur who was travelling particularly well.
Blaklion faltered at the 2nd last, as
One For Arthur collided into the back of Noel Fehily’s horse and
seem to come out of it looking the stronger of the two and the
Scottish trained horse, ridden by Derek Fox struck for home with the
crowd seeming to will him home.
Scottish Delight
It would seem to have worked, as One
For Arthur stormed through the elbow, leaving Cause For Causes and
Davy Russell on Saint Are in his wake and winning by almost 5
lengths. The scottish flags were waving in delight across Aintree, as
this Lucinda Russell trained gelding took the accolades and the
£561,300 first prize.
A fantastic National day was made all
the sweeter to find out that despite there being 21 fallers in the
race, all of the horses had returned to their stables safe and sound.
A great day for the sport indeed!
