The Crabbies Grand National A Faritytale
Images Sebastian Oakley
The later scheduled time of this years Crabbies Grand National held at Aintree Racecourse at 5.15pm paid off big time , with reported figures of ten million TV viewers tuning in from the UK alone and millions of others all over the world . Over 70,000 punters
From the finest field ever in the history of the race Rule The World ridden by 19 year old David Mullins , nephew of the famous Willie Mullins , riding at his debut Grand National clinched the win .
The fairytale doesn ’ t stop there as Rule The World gained his first ever win over the fences romping in to the history books forever . “ This is Just Magic ” said his trainer Mouse Morris “ I ’ m delighted I can ’ t believe it , it ’ s just magic .”
“ Everything was going to plan ” said jockey David Mullins “ I couldn ’ t have had a better start ”
Nine year old Rule The World was bought six years ago for £ 90,000 by Michael O ’ Leary of the Gigginstown House Stud and started at 33-1 He came storming through to the field late on to finish ahead of The Last Samuri ( 8-1 ) and Vics Canvas ( 100-1 ) who was the oldest horse in the race at 13 years old .
The trainer had won the Irish Grand National just 12 days earlier and the owner had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Don Cossack the previous month .
“ This is the cream on top ” said Micheal O ’ Leary “ to win the Gold Cup , the Irish
National and the Grand National in one year , it doesn ’ t get any better than that ”
On arrival in Ireland the next day Rule The World received a huge welcome home as he strolled down the main street proudly wearing his Crabbies Grand National winners rug , where spectators applauded as he took it all in his stride . After breaking his pelvis twice and being nine years old his owner announced he will not race again this season and he may consider retiring him . Rule The World then went on to an evening appearance at the Gigginstown House Stud in County Tipperary .
Two heavy downpours hit the racecourse before the start of the Crabbies Grand National which left the ground soft and quite a challenge , for the 39 runners where only 16 of them past the finishing post . The Last Samuri who finished second visited his local point to point the next day and his trainer confirmed that he will not run again this season
Last years winner Leighton Aspell and Many Clouds went well at the beginning but after Beachers Brook the second time things took a turn for the worse and he faltered in his breathing , finishing last in the field . Trainer Oliver Sherwood said “ He has obviously got some sort of breathing problem that we will address before next season ”
A total 152,665 people attended over the three days of the Crabbie ’ s Grand National Festival , which included a record attendance on the Grand Opening Day and a 70,000 capped sell-out on the Grand National Day . This is the last year that the race will be transmitted on Channel 4 as it moves to ITV in 2017 it is also the last year that Crabbies will be title sponsor as it now passes to global healthcare firm Randox Health . Crabbie ’ s will remain associated with the Grand National Festival as the new sponsor of the Grade 1 Top Novices ’ Hurdle
North West Regional Director John Baker , who runs Aintree for the Jockey Club Racecourses , said ;
“ I should like to thank Crabbie ’ s brand owner , Halewood International , and in particular Judy Halewood and Peter Eaton , for their very generous and beneficial support of the Crabbie ’ s Grand National these past three years . I am very pleased they will remain involved and associated with Aintree through sponsorship of the high value
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