PINEAU DE RE won the 167th staging of the Grand National at Aintree before jockeys refused to attend a stewards' inquiry following a false start.
On a typically dramatic afternoon on Merseyside, the 11-year-old - priced at 25-1 - took advantage of many of the leading lights falling out of the running surprisingly early.
But, even before they were off, there was chaos as a false start brought back memories of the 1993 National that never was.
The jockeys had approached the tape before the starter had invited them to do so, knocking down his assistant. Then there was the false start.
Eventually, 39 runners and riders took part in the contest with only Brendan Powell - the rider of Battle Group - not involved, because his horse planted itself and would not approach the start.
It was proof, if it was further required, that if a horse really does not want to run, it will downright ensure that it doesn't - and there is nothing the jockey can do about it.
Away second time, with Teaforthree and AP McCoy's Double Seven as 10-1 joint favourites, rank outsider Twirling Magnet was first to fall.
It was not long, though, before some of the more fancied horses also dropped out of the running with Burton Port unseating his rider at the second before Big Shu fell at the open ditch third.
Across The Bay led the field over Becher's, where Last Time D'Albain unseated his rider - and there were three who could not make the Canal Turn successfully including the mount of Sam Twiston-Davies, Tidal Bay.
Another three horses were out of the running on the next fence, Valentine's, including former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run, ridden by amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen.
Then, at fence 15 - the Chair - Teaforthree unseated his rider Nick Scholfield.
Across The Bay had held onto the lead throughout the first circuit but he lost it in dramatic fashion after being driven wide by a loose horse who then crashed through a side railing.
Rocky Creek, eventually fifth, took up the front from Mr Moonshine and AP McCoy's horse Double Seven, leading them over Becher's for the second time as One In A Milan fell.
At this point, Pineau De Re was still having a quiet race - and was barely being mentioned in the commentary.
But timing is everything in the National and, as they approached the last two obstacles, the eventual winner had moved onto the shoulder of Rocky Creek.
Pineau De Re jumped it in front as Rocky Creek began to tire with runner-up Balthazar King, Double Seven and Alvarado passing him on the approach to the finish.
At the Elbow, Pineau De Re had stretched his lead to a convincing six lengths and was never in danger of being caught, eventually officially winning by five.
Once again then, the National delivered on the side of sporting romance. Never mind the race that never was, this was almost the victory that never was for jockey Leighton Aspell.
The 37-year-old had even retired a few years ago, the highlight of his career having been a second-placed National finish on Supreme Glory in his debut in the race 11 years ago.
But, within 12 months, Aspell realised he had unfinished business - and the Irishman was right.
Yes, the jockeys' dispute is a story with some legs yet, particularly as they seem unanimous in their decision and yet the reason behind their refusal to attend the inquiry remains unclear.
Paul Struthers, the chief executive of the Professional Jockeys' Association, said: "All of them were in agreement that they weren't to go back in. I can't go into the specifics. We need to go into it a little bit more ourselves.
"I wouldn't want to go into the reasons why they were unhappy but they were very unhappy with the conduct of the inquiry and therefore refused to go back in."
Whatever happens from now with that, though, Aspell can take a back seat regardless - and enjoy a deep sense of satisfaction having landed the big one at last.
GRAND NATIONAL 2014 RESULT
Aintree, 4.15pm (Channel 4)
| 1st | PINEAU DE RE | Leighton Aspell | 25/1 |
| 2nd | Balthazar King | Richard Johnson | 14/1 |
| 3rd | Double Seven | AP McCoy | 10/1 JF |
| 4th | Alvarado | Paul Moloney | 33/1 |
| 5th | Rocky Creek | Noel Fehily | 16/1 |
Other finishers
6th Chance Du Roy (33/1), 7th Monbeg Dude (16/1), 8th Raz De Maree (50/1), 9th Swing Bill (66/1), 10th Kruzhlinin (100/1), 11th Buckers Bridge (66/1), 12th The Package (14/1), 13th Vesper Bell (40/1), 14th Across The Bay (50/1), 15th Mr Moonshine (20/1), 16th Prince De Beauchene (20/1), 17th Hunt Ball (50/1), 18th Hawkes Point (50/1)
Failed to finish
Start Battle Group (refused)
1 Twirling Magnet (fell)
2 Burton Port (unseated rider)
3 Big Shu (fell)
6 (Becher's) Last Time D'Albain (unseated rider)
8 (Canal Turn) Tidal Bay (unseated rider), Our Father (unseated rider), Golan Way (fell)
9 (Valentine's) Long Run (fell), Mountainous (fell), The Rainbow Hunter (unseated rider)
15 (The Chair) Teaforthree (unseated rider)
20 Shakalakaboomboom (pulled up)
21 Quito De La Roque (pulled up)
22 (Becher's) One In A Milan (fell), Tricolo D'Alene (pulled up)
25 (Valentine's) Colbert Station (pulled up)
26 Rose of the Moon (fell), Vintage Star (pulled up)
27 Líon Na Bearnaí (pulled up)
28 Wayward Prince (fell)
29 Walkon (pulled up)
No comments:
Post a Comment