TEENAGE jockey David Mullins landed in dreamland after he rode the aptly-named Rule The World to victory in the 169th renewal of the Grand National at a sodden Aintree racecourse.
Mullins powered home in the final straight of his maiden National to finish six lengths clear of joint favourite The Last Samurai and 100/1 shot Vics Canvas.
For trainer Mouse Morris too, this was an emotional triumph over the hurdles. Morris's son Christopher - nicknamed Tiffer - died last year aged just 30 of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Argentina.
And while victory on Merseyside cannot bring his son back, Morris immediately turned his thoughts towards him, saying: “Tiffer was looking down on me today. He helped me there."
For 19-year-old Mullins, a nephew of champion trainer Willie, this was an incredible start to his Grand National career.
But, for others in the starting field of 39, this was a very short race indeed. That was certainly true for Hadrian's Approach who unseated his rider at the first, while First Lieutenant and the fancied Holywell fell at the second.
At the front, Aachen took up the early lead from The Romford Pele, Double Ross and last year's runner-up Saint Are.
Meanwhile, Many Clouds - aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of the National since Red Rum in the 1970s - took up a good early position.
The Romford Pele then unseated his rider at the Canal Turn - but Aachen, Double Ross and Saint Are continued to lead the race as they headed back towards the grandstands.
A loose horse caused some bother at the Chair where On His Own and Sir Des Champs both fell.
Nonetheless, a large part of the field remained in with a chance of the big prize as they crossed the Melling Road to begin the second circuit.
They included still, of course, the history-chasing Many Clouds and his history-chasing jockey Leighton Aspell - and, as they jumped the 19th, they hit the front once more.
Excitement built as they retained their lead heading over Foinavon, around the Canal Turn and onto Valentine's.
But it was still too early to be rewriting the history books - and, at the 26th fence of 30, Many Clouds duly made a terrible error which completely took the wind out of his sails.
Thereafter, he and Aspell understandly went backwards - and, instead, it was the other joint favourite The Last Samurai who took the lead ahead of Morning Assembly and Vics Canvas.
As Morning Assembly faded just as quickly, Rule The World finally moved into a threatening position, taking the last fence in third behind The Last Samurai and Vics Canvas.
It was clear as they rounded the Elbow that this had indeed turned into a three-horse race - and, ultimately, it was Mullins who had timed his mount's ride to perfection.
Steaming past the other two contenders, nine-year-old Rule The World completed what was remarkably his first ever win over fences.
And it all means Mullins wakes up this morning knowing life will never be quite the same again.
GRAND NATIONAL 2016 RESULT
Aintree, 5.15pm (Channel 4). Going: Soft, heavy in places. 39 ran.
| 1st | RULE THE WORLD | David Mullins | 33-1 (6 lengths) |
| 2nd | The Last Samurai | David Bass | 8-1JF |
| 3rd | Vics Canvas | Robert Dunne | 100-1 |
| 4th | Gilgamboa | Robbie Power | 28-1 |
| 5th | Goonyella | Jonathan Burke | 12-1 |
Other finishers
6th Ucello Conti (25/1), 7th Vieux Lion Rouge (66/1), 8th Morning Assembly (16/1), 9th Shutthefrontdoor (12/1), 10th Unioniste (28/1), 11th Le Reve (50/1), 12th Buywise (33/1), 13th Pendra (50/1), 14th Triolo d'Alene (50/1), 15th Just A Par (40/1), 16th Many Clouds (8/1JF)
Failed to finish (pulled up unless stated)
1st Hadrian's Approach (unseated rider)
2nd First Lieutenant (fell), Holywell (fell)
8th (Canal Turn) The Romford Pele (unseated)
12th Rocky Creek
14th Silviniaco Conti
15th (The Chair) On His Own (fell), Sir Des Champs (fell)
18th Gallant Oscar (unseated)
19th Ballynagour (unseated)
21st Soll, The Druid's Nephew, Home Farm, Black Thunder
22nd (Becher's Brook) Katenko (fell), Boston Bob, Aachen, Onenightinvienna (unseated)
24th (Canal Turn) Wonderful Charm
26th Double Ross
27th Kruzhlinin
29th Ballycasey (unseated)
30th Saint Are
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