• What Horse Won The Grand National Last Year Standing
• What Horse Won The Grand National Last Years

• However, looking at previous Grand National winners can prove useful when in the context of their season in the lead-up to the race. Tiger Roll, who won the Randox Grand National in 2017 and 2018 has become the modern-day hero, being the only horse to have won two consecutive Grand National races after racing legend, Red Rum.
• One For Arthur (pictured left) jumps the last on the way to winning the 2017 Grand National Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies teamed up to great effect north of the border last year when getting Vicente home as the king of Ayr, and that was their second victory in as many years. The dream team are chasing a record-equalling hat-trick.

YEAR, HORSE, JOCKEY, TRAINER, OWNER, SP

Trevor Hemmings owned 3 Grand National winners, he has main contenders Cloth Cap and Lake View Lad. Perennial leading owner JP McManus has won the Grand National only once. He does have Kimberlite Candy, Any Second Now, and Anibale Fly as top candidates this time. Potters Corner has won the Welsh Grand National and the Virtual Grand National already.

2018Tiger Roll[full result]
Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Owner: Gigginstown Stud, 10/1

2017 One For Arthur[full result]
Jockey: Derek Fox, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Owner: Two Golf Widows, 14/1

2016 Rule The World [full result]
Jockey: David Mullins, Trainer: Mouse Morris, Owner: Michael O'Leary, 33/1

2015Many Clouds[full result]
Jockey: Leighton Aspell, Trainer: Oliver Sherwood, Owner: Trevor Hemmings, 25/1

2014 Pineau De Re [full result]
Jockey: Leighton Aspell, Trainer: Dr Richard Newland, Owner: J A Provan, 25/1

2013 Auroras Encore [full result]
Jockey: Ryan Mania, Trainer: Sue Smith, Owners: Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont and David van der Hoeven, 66/1

2012 Neptune Collonges [full result]
Jockey: Daryl Jacob, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Owner: John Hales, 14/1

2011Ballabriggs[full result]
Jockey: J M Maguire, Trainer: D McCain Jnr, Owner: Trevor Hemmings, 14/1

2010 Don't Push It [full result]
Jockey: A P McCoy, Trainer: Johnjo O'Neill, Owner: J P McManus, 10/1

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2009Mon Mome [full result]
Jockey: Liam Treadwell, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Owner: Vida Bingham, 100/1

2008Comply Or Die [full result]
Jockey: T J Murphy, Trainer: David Pipe, Owner: David Johnson, 7/1

2007Silver Birch [full result]
Jockey: Robbie Power, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Owner: Brian Walsh, 33/1

2006Numbersixvalverde[full result]
Jockey: Niall Madden, Trainer: Martin Brassil, Owner: Bernard Carroll, 11/1

2005Hedgehunter[full result]
Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins IRE, Trevor Hemmings, 7/1

2004Amberleigh House[full result]
Graham Lee, Donald McCain, Halewood International Ltd, 16/1

2003 Monty's Pass, Barry Geraghty, Jimmy Mangan, Dee Racing Syndicate 16/1

2002 Bindaree, Jim Culloty, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Raymond Mould 20/1

2001 Red Marauder, Richard Guest, Norman Mason, Norman Mason 33/1

2000 Papillon, Ruby Walsh, Ted Walsh IRE, Betty Morgan 10/1

1999 Bobbyjo, Paul Carberry, Tommy Carberry IRE, Bobby Burke 10/1

1998 Earth Summit (bl), Carl Llewellyn, Nigel Twiston-Davies, The Summit Partnership 7/1f

1997 Lord Gyllene, Tony Dobbin, Steve Brookshaw, Stan Clarke 14/1

1996 Rough Quest, Mick Fitzgerald, Terry Casey, Andrew Wates 7/1f

1995 Royal Athlete, Jason Titley, Jenny Pitman, Gary & Libby Johnson 40/1

1994 Miinnehoma, Richard Dunwoody, Martin Pipe, Freddie Star 16/1

1993 VOID RACE

1992 Party Politics, Carl Llewellyn, Nick Gaselee, Patricia Thompson 14/1

1991 Seagram, Nigel Hawke, David Barons, Sir Eric Parker 12/1

1990 Mr Frisk, Mr Marcus Armytage, Kim Bailey, Lois Duffey 16/1

1989 Little Polveir, Jimmy Frost, Toby Balding, Edwards Harvey 28/1

1988 Rhyme 'N' Reason, Brendan Powell, David Elsworth, Juliet Reed 10/1

1987 Maori Venture, Steve Knight, Andrew Turnell, Jim Joel 28/1

1986 West Tip, Richard Dunwoody, Michael Oliver, Peter Luff 15/2

1985 Last Suspect, Hywel Davies, Tim Forster, Anne Duchess of Westminster 50/1

1984 Hallo Dandy, Neale Doughty, Gordon Richards, Richard Shaw 13/1

1983 Corbiere, Ben de Haan, Jenny Pitman, Bryan Burrough 13/1

1982 Grittar, Mr Dick Saunders, Frank Gilman, Frank Gilman 7/1f

1981 Aldaniti, Bob Champion, Josh Gifford, Nich Embiricos 10/1

1980 Ben Nevis, Mr Charlie Fenwick , Tim Forster, Redmond C Stewart Jnr, 40/1

1979 Rubstic, Maurice Barnes, John Leadbetter, John Douglas 25/1

1978 Lucius, Bob Davies, Gordon Richards, Fiona Whitaker 14/1

1977 Red Rum, Tommy Stack, Donald McCain, Noel Le Mare 9/1

1976 Rag Trade, John Burke, Fred Rimell, Pierre Raymond 14/1

1975 L'Escargot, Tommy Carberry, Dan Moore IRE, Raymond Guest 13/2

1974 Red Rum, Brian Fletcher, Donald McCain, Noel Le Mare 11/1

1973 Red Rum, Brian Fletche,r Donald McCain, Noel Le Mare 9/1 Jt F

1972 Well To Do, Graham Thorner, Tim Forster, Tim Forster 14/1

1971 Specify, John Cook, John Sutcliffe, Fred Pontin 28/1

1970 Gay Trip, Pat Taaffe, Fred Rimell, A J Chambers 15/1

1969 Highland Wedding, Eddie Harty, Toby Balding, Thomas McCoy Jnr 100/9

1968 Red Alligator, Brian Fletcher, Denys Smith, John Manners 100/7

1967 Foinavon, John Buckingham, John Kempton, Cyril Watkins 100/1

1966 Anglo, Tim Norman, Fred Winter, Stuart Levy 50/1

1965 Jay Trump, Mr Tommy Smith, Fred Winter, Mary Stephenson 100/6

1964 Team Spirit, George Robinson, Fulke Walwyn, John Goodman 18/1

1963 Ayala, Pat Buckley, Keith Piggott, Pierre Raymond 66/1

1962 Kilmore, Fred Winter, Ryan Price, Nat Cohen 28/1

1961 Nicolaus Silver, Bobby Beasley, Fred Rimel,l Charles Vaughan 28/1

1960 Merryman II, Gerry Scott, Neville Crump, Winifred Wallace 13/2 F

1959 Oxo, Michael Scudamore, Willie Stephenson, John Bigg 8/1

1958 Mr What, Arthur Freeman, Tom Taaffe IRE, D J Coughlan 18/1

1957 Sundew, Fred Winter, Frank Hudson, Mrs Geoffrey Kohn 20/1

1956 E.S.B., Dave Dick, Fred Rimell, Mrs Leonard Carver 100/7

1955 Quare Times, Pat Taaffe, Vincent O'Brien IRE, Mrs W Welman 100/9

1954 Royal Tan, Bryan Marshall, Vincent O'Brien IRE, Joe Griffin 8/1

1953 Early Mist, Bryan Marshall, Vincent O'Brien IRE, Joe Griffin 20/1

1952 Teal, Arthur Thompson, Neville Crump, Harry Lane 100/7

1951 Nickel Coin, John Bullock, Jack O'Donoghue, Jeffrey Royle 40/1

1950 Freebooter, Jimmy Powe,r Bobby Renton, Lurline Brotherton 10/1

1949 Russian Hero, Leo McMorrow, George Owen, Fernie Williamson 66/1

1948 Sheila's Cottage, Arthur Thompson, Neville Crump, John Procter 50/1

1947 Caughoo, Eddie Dempsey, Herbert McDowell IRE, John McDowell 100/1

1946 Lovely Cottage, Capt Bobby Petre, Tommy Rayson, John Morant 25/1

1941/45 No Race

1940 Bogskar, Mervyn Jones, Lord Stalbridge, Lord Stalbridge 25/1

1939 Workman, Tim Hyde, Jack Ruttle IRE, Sir Alexander Maguire 100/8

1938 Battleship, Bruce Hobbs, Reg Hobbs, Marion Scott 40/1

1937 Royal Mail, Evan Williams, Ivor Anthony, Hugh Lloyd Thomas 100/6

1936 Reynoldstown, Mr Fulke Walwyn Noel Furlong, Noel Furlong 10/1

1935 Reynoldstown, Mr Frank Furlong, Noel Furlong, Noel Furlong 22/1

1934 Golden Miller, Gerry Wilson, Basil Briscoe, Dorothy Paget 8/1

1933 Kellsboro' Jack, Dudley Williams, Ivor Anthony, Mrs F Ambrose Clark 25/1

1932 Forbra, Tim Hamey, Tom Rimell, William Parsonage 50/1

1931 Grakle, Bob Lyall, Tom Coulthwaite, Cecil Taylor 100/6

1930 Shaun Goilin, Tommy Cullinan, Frank Hartigan, W H Midwood 100/8

1929 Gregalach, Robert Everett, Tom Leader, Mrs M A Gemmell 100/1

1928 Tipperary Tim, Mr Bill Dutton, Joseph Dodd, Harold Kenyon 100/1

1927 Sprig, Ted Leader, Tom Leader, Mrs M Partridge 8/1 F

1926 Jack Horner, William Watkinson, Harvey Leader, Charles Schwartz 25/1

1925 Double Chance, Major John Wilson, Fred Archer, David Goold 100/9

1924 Master Robert, Bob Trudgill, Aubrey Hastings, Lord Airlie 25/1

1923 Sergeant Murphy, Capt Geoffrey, George Blackwell, Stephen Sanford 100/6

1922 Music Hall, Lewis Rees, Owen Anthony, Hugh Kershaw 100/9

1921 Shaun Spadah, Fred Rees, George Poole, Malcolm McAlpine 100/9

1920 Troytown, Mr Jack Anthony, Algy Anthony IRE, Thomas Collins-Gerrard 6/1

1919 Poethlyn, Ernie Piggott, Harry Escott, Mrs Hugh Peel 11/4 F

What Horse Won The Grand National Last Year Standing

1916-1918 No Race At Aintree

1915 Ally Sloper, Mr Jack Anthony, Aubrey Hastings, Lady Nelson 100/8

1914 Sunloch, Bill Smith, Tom Tyler, Tom Tyler 100/6

1913 Covertcoat, Percy Woodland, Robert Gore, Sir Charles Assheton-Smith 100/9

1912 Jerry M, Ernie Piggott, Robert Gore, Sir Charles Assheton-Smith 4/1Jt F

1911 Glenside, Mr Jack Anthony, R H Collis, Frank Bibby 20/1

1910 Jenkinstown, Robert Chadwick, Tom Coulthwaite, Stanley Howard 100/8

1909 Lutteur III, Georges Parfrement, Harry Escott, J Hennessy 100/9

1908 Rubio, Henry Bletsoe, Fred Withington, Frank Douglas-Pennant 66/1

1907 Eremon, Alf Newey, Tom Coulthwaite, Stanley Howard 8/1

1906 Ascetic's Silver, Mr Aubrey Hastings, Aubrey Hastings, Prince Hatzfeldt 20/1

1905 Kirkland, Frank Mason, E Thomas, Frank Bibby 6/1

1904 Moifaa, Arthur Birch, W Hickey, Spencer Gollan 25/1

1903 Drumcree, Percy Woodland, Sir Charles Nugent J S Morrison 13/2 F

1902 Shannon Lass, David Read, James Hackett, Ambrose Gorham 20/1

1901 Grudon, Arthur Nightingall, Bernard Bletsoe, Bernard Bletsoe 9/1

1900 Ambush II, Algy Anthony, Algy Anthony IRE, HRH Prince of Wales 4/1

1899 Manifesto, George Williamson, Willie Moore, J G Bulteel 5/1

1898 Drogheda, John Gourley, Richard Dawson, C G M Adams 25/1

1897 Manifesto, Terry Kavanagh, Willie McAuliffe, Harry Dyas 6/1 F

1896 The Soarer, Mr David Campbell, Willie Moore, William Hall-Walker 40/1

1895 Wild Man, Mr Joe Widger, James Gatland, John Widger 10/1

1894 Why Not, Arthur Nightingall, Willie Moore, C H Fenwick 5/1 Jt F

1893 Cloister Bill, Dollery, Arthur Yates, Charles Duff 9/2 F

1892 Father O'Flynn, Capt Roddy Owen, Gordon Wilson, Gordon Wilson 20/1

1891 Come Away, Mr Harry Beasley, Harry Beasley IRE, Willie Jameson 4/1 F

1890 Ilex, Arthur Nightingall, John Nightingall, George Masterman 4/1 F

1889 Frigate, Mr Tommy Beasley, M A Maher IRE, M A Maher 8/1

1888 Playfair, George Mawson, Tom Cannon, E W Baird 40/1

1887 Gamecock, W Daniells, James Gordon, E Jay 20/1

1886 Old Joe, Tommy Skelton, George Mulcaster, A J Douglas 25/1

1885 Roquefort, Mr Ted Wilson, Arthur Yates, A Cooper 100/30 F

1884 Voluptuary, Mr Ted Wilson, William Wilson, H F Boyd 10/1

1883 Zoedone, Count Charles Kinsky, W Jenkins, Count Charles Kinsky 100/7

What Horse Won The Grand National Last Years

1882 Seaman, Lord Manners, James Machell, Lord Manners 10/1

1881 Woodbrook, Mr Tommy Beasley, Henry Linde IRE, T Y L Kirkwood 11/2 Jt F

1880 Empress, Mr Tommy Beasley, Henry Linde IRE, P Ducrot 8/1

1879 The Liberator, Mr Garry Moore, J Moore IRE, Garry Moore 5/1

1878 Shifnal, J Jones, J Nightingall, John Nightingall 7/1

1877 Austerlitz, Mr Fred Hobson, Robert l'Anson, Fred Hobson 15/1

1876 Regal, Joe Cannon, James Jewitt, James Machell 25/1

1875 Pathfinder, Mr Tommy Pickernell, W Reeves, Herbert Bird 100/6

1874 Reugny, Mr John Richardson, John Richardson, James Machell 5/1 F

1873 Disturbance, Mr John Richardson, John Richardson, James Machell 20/1

1872 Casse Tete, John Page, A Cowley, E Brayley 20/1

1871 The Lamb, Mr Tommy Pickernell, Chris Green, Lord Poulett 11/2

1870 The Colonel, George Stevens, R Roberts, Matthew Evans 7/2 F

1869 The Colonel, George Stevens, R Roberts, John Weyman 100/7

1868 The Lamb, Mr George Ede, Ben Land, Lord Poulett 9/1

1867 Cortolvin, John Page, Harry Lamplugh FR, Duke of Hamilton 16/1

1866 Salamander, Mr Alec Goodman, J Walters, Edward Studd 40/1

1865 Alcibiade, Capt Henry, Coventry Cornell, Cherry Angell 100/7

1864 Emblematic, George Stevens, E Weever, Lord Coventry 10/1

1863 Emblem, George Stevens, E Weever, Lord Coventry 4/1

1862 The Huntsman, Harry Lamplugh, Harry Lamplugh FR, Viscount de Namur 3/1 F

1861 Jealousy, J Kendall, C Balchin, J Bennett 5/1

1860 Anatis, Mr Tommy Pickernell, William Holman, Christopher Capel 7/2 F

1859 Half Caste, Chris Green, Chris Green, Mr Willoughby 7/1

1858 Little Charley, William Archer, William Holman, Christopher Capel 100/6

1857 Emigrant, Charlie Boyce, Charlie Boyce, George Hodgman 10/1

1856 Freetrader, George Stevens, William Holman, W Barnett 25/1

1855 Wanderer, J Hanlon - IRE, Mr Dennis 25/1

1854 Bourton, J Tasker, H Wadlow, William Moseley 4/1 F

1853 Peter Simple, Tom Olliver, Tom Olliver, Joseph Little 9/1

1852 Miss Mowbray, Mr Alec Goodman, G Dockeray, T F Mason n.q.

1851 Abd-EI-Kader, T Abbot, Joseph Osborne, Joseph Osborne 7/1

1850 Abd-El-Kader, Chris Green, Joseph Osborne, Joseph Osborne n.q.

1849 Peter Simple, T Cunningham, T Cunningham, Mr Mason Jnr 20/1

1848 Chandler, Capt Joseph Little, T Eskrett, Joseph Little 12/1

1847 Matthew, Denis Wynne, J Courtenay IRE, Mr Courtenay 10/1

1846 Pioneer, W Taylor, - Mr Adams n.q.

1845 Cure-All, Mr William Loft, William Loft, W Sterling Crawford n.q.

1844 Discount , Mr H Crickmere, - ,Mr Quartermaine 5/1 Jt F

1843 Vanguard, Tom Olliver - Lord Chesterfield 12/1

1842 Gay Lad, Tom Olliver - John Elmore 7/1

1841 Charity, Mr A Powell - Lord Craven 14/1

1840 Jerry, Mr B Bretherton - Mr Villebois 12/1

1839 Lottery, Jem Mason - John Elmore 5/1 F

A race was run at Gatwick from 1916-18, organised by the National Hunt Committee.
There was no input whatever from the Aintree executive.

None of the three races was called the Grand National, runners at Gatwick raced in the opposite direction to that at Aintree (ie right-handed), and no attempt was made to replicate the Aintree fences. In 1916 the race was called The Racecourse Association Steeplechase and in 1917 and 1918 The War National. The winners of these races were:

1918 Poethlyn, Ernie Piggott, Harry Escott, Mrs Hugh Peel 5/1

1917 Ballymacad, Edmund Driscoll, Aubrey Hastings, Sir George Bullough 100/9

1916 Vermouth, Jack Reardon, J Bell, P F Heybourne 100/8

2020

The 2020 Grand National was cancelled due to Covid 19.

2019

The first 6 home including Not only the first back-To-back winner since Red Rum In 1974 but the highest-placed mare since 18 years further back than that, plus the title holder before Tiger Roll, winners Of the Becher And Bobbyjo And no less than the Gold Cup runner-up; it wasn't the lung-bursting affair it normally is, with nothing haring off and so many still going by the time the field had to squeeze around the dolled-off fence that had been the first, double figures still there with some hope as they turned in before stamina and sheer ability did finally begin to tell, a wide route as well as hold-up rides not paying dividends.

2018

There were plenty Of thrills And spills, whilst Aintree's infamous long run-in conjured up a late twist with the rarity of a photo-finish, as a Gordon Elliott horse just edged out one trained by his great rival Willie Mullins in a finish dominated by Irish yards; the pace was a decent one given the conditions, with both jumping and stamina fully tested, so it's perhaps a surprise that 5 of the first 6 home were tackling this unique course for the first time; as usual, nothing got into from the back.

2017

As ever, the Grand National threw up a few hard-luck stories - notably that Of second favourite Definitely Red - but this still appeals As solid form, With victory going To the least exposed horse In the line-up And the frame completed by 3 well-handicapped runners; the pace wasn't an end-to-end one, with the field bunching around halfway after a brief dip in tempo, and it reflects very well on One For Arthur that he could come from so far back - still not in first 20 jumping the second Canal Turn - when one considers that every other runner who raced in the final third of the field never landed a blow; meanwhile, the modified fences again caused relatively few problems, with the average number of finishers in 4 renewals since their introduction now standing at 18, though it's worth noting that the first 3 home all had previous experience over the National course.

2016

An emblematic Grand National, confirmation If any were needed Of the effectiveness Of the much-discussed recent modifications To start position, size Of fences And overall distance, stamina And jumping still tested Like In no other race In the calendar yet With an uplifting subplot Of all 39 participants living To fight another day; the later off time resulted In the track taking more rain than it would have done In a more customary afternoon slot, more pulling up than falling/unseating As conditions took a toll, With 5 Of the first 6 home Irish-trained, As 3 Of the first 4 had been the last time the race was run On ground this testing In 2006; the early pace steadied On the final circuit, And around half the finishers still had a chance entering the straight, the first 3, all from contrasting backgrounds but no less relishing the examination, going clear between the last 2.

2015

A good-quality renewal Of the Grand National, With a healthy share Of highly-rated horses And well-handicapped runners who'd done well since the weights were announced, so it was fitting that the winner posted the highest Timeform rating since the era of triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s - indeed, Many Clouds looks better placed than most during the past 41 years to emulate that Aintree legend as a back-to-back winner, particularly as he was 5 lb well-in here and is likely to receive similar leniency from the BHA handicapper next year due to his dubious policy of compressing the top of the National weights nowadays; it was a well-run affair, with the field quite well strung out before halfway, and the majority of jumping casualties occurred on the first circuit, though the most significant fall came 5 out, where The Druids Nephew departed when seemingly going best at the head of affairs.

2014

Arguably Not the strongest renewal Of the Grand National, With most towards the head Of the weights failing To complete, whilst there was a higher percentage Of non-stayers than usual; that said, Each Of the first 3 came into the race at the top Of their game following successful campaigns, whilst the pace was a sound one And resulted In a slightly quicker time than In 2013 under similar conditions; As For the often-derided New modified fences, there were enough spills here - plus In Friday's Topham - to suggest they still represent a significantly different test to a conventional track, though it could be argued that the winner and third survived blunders on the first circuit that neither would have got away with in the past; no amount of modifications can seem to prevent a shambolic false start, though, which resulted in a rumpus afterwards involving 39 of the jockeys - minus Battle Group's pilot Brendan Powell - refusing to hear the stewards' verdict on the matter.

2013

A surprise winner will no doubt be used As evidence that the Grand National deserves its tag As a 'lottery' by once-a-year punters but, In truth, this result makes plenty Of sense, With Each Of the first 5 home amongst the best-handicapped runners In the field - albeit, both Auroras Encore And Oscar Time had been out Of form On recent starts; the modified fences claimed fewer fallers than usual but still provided a stern test Of jumping which plenty failed To adapt To, whilst stamina was fully tested too thanks To a sound pace On watered ground - indeed, the time was some 5 seconds slower than the 2012 renewal (On good ground) despite a half-furlong shorter trip this time around; despite the sound gallop, it didn't pay to try and come from too far back, as is so often the case around here when the going isn't bottomless.

2012

As thrilling And significant a Grand National As one would expect, providing a terrific spectacle In pure racing terms, Neptune Collonges getting up On the line To prevail by a nose In the tightest ever finish To a National, And his bare performance To defy a mark Of 157 was the best by a winner Of the race In Timeform history (likes Of Suny Bay And Crisp ran To higher figures In defeat); there was plenty Of competition For the lead, Swing Bill, Giles Cross, Planet Of Sound And Shakalakaboomboom all In front at different points On the first circuit, making For a well-run affair And a gruelling test (13 Of the field had departed by the first Canal Turn, the eighth), And For the third year running the time was fast; it's rare for this race to pass without controversy, however, and 2012's National will unfortunately be remembered for some of the wrong reasons as well, most notably 2 fatalities that included last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised; he'd unshipped his rider and run loose going to post, raising questions as to whether he should even have lined up (the vet did pass him fit), whilst the bypassing of the fence before Becher's on the second circuit again rather exposed the injury-element to the wider public it was actually directly due an injured jockey in this instance; modifications made to the fourth fence which had caused problems last year appeared to have worked, with no casualties there, though due to subsequent events the success of the recent alterations to Becher's will doubtless be questioned; the start of the race also came under scrutiny, the field called back after the first attempt and taking some organising again, the race eventually starting almost 10 minutes after the scheduled off time; the starting routine isn't the same as it was for the void National in 1993, but a fuller review of the procedure surely is in order now, with a measure as simple as ensuring the field line up at a fixed point further behind the tape likely to reduce significantly the risk of false starts.

2011

A memorable renewal Of the Grand National, For both the right And wrong reasons; from a racing viewpoint, the form Is well up To the standard Of recent renewals, With last year's winner Don't Push It running to a similar level in finishing third this time around, whilst the combination of a sound pace and drying ground resulted in the third fastest time in this race's long history, behind course-record holder Mr Frisk (1990) and Rough Quest (1996); there was an unwanted piece of history too as fences (the twentieth and second Becher's) were omitted on the second circuit for the first ever time due to fatal falls suffered by Ornais and Dooney's Gate early on, those run-off areas having only been added in 2009 following concerns raised by problems moving the seriously-injured Mick Fitzgerald 12 months earlier in fairness to Aintree, those run-offs worked well in both instances here, though their usage did rather highlight the 2 fatalities to the wider public, which prompted some unwanted coverage in the Sunday papers; from a safety angle, the fourth fence probably does need looking at as no less than 12 horses (including Ornais) departed there in just 3 races at this year's meeting.

2010

A memorable renewal Of the Grand National, With record-breaking champion jockey A. P. McCoy Finally ending his drought In this great race, an achievement that rather mirrored Sir Gordon Richards' much-celebrated win on Pinza in the 1953 Derby towards the end of his riding career; the race itself was a terrific spectacle, too, with pacesetters Conna Castle and Black Apalachi ensuring it was run at a much stronger gallop than for the last 2 renewals (fastest time since 1996); as is often the case with well-run races over these fences, it paid to race handily and previous course experience proved an asset, too, as jumping ability was tested to the full Don't Push It may have been tackling these fences for the first time, but 9 of the 13 other finishers had all completed the course at least once previously.

2009

A shock result, With Mon Mome equalling the biggest SP To win this great race And becoming the first 100/1 winner since Foinavon's success in that freak 1967 renewal Mon Mome didn't need the aid of a mid-race pile-up for his victory and, despite his unflattering odds, actually had a very good chance at the weights on the pick of his form earlier in the season; that said, whilst his performance can be easily explained away, the proximity of several other outsiders notably Cerium and Arteea is much harder to fathom and there must be a chance that this will prove muddling form due to a fairly stop-start gallop, with the runners eventually setting off from a standing start after 2 aborted attempts when the runners had been cantering to the tape (both false starts should probably be blamed on the jockeys rather than the starter); indeed, the pace rather resembled that of a cross-country chase in the second half of the race, particularly after pacesetters Black Apalachi and Silver Birch had departed at second Becher's there were no less than 16 runners still tightly grouped in contention on the home turn, which is an extremely rare sight in the National.

2008

A good renewal Of the Grand National, With Comply Or Die putting up one Of the better winning performances Of this decade In terms Of form, whilst Irish trainers maintained their excellent recent record In the race by saddling the Next 3 home; good ground And a slightly less hectic pace than Is often the Case (things certainly seemed To steady around halfway) contributed To an above-average number Of finishers And it also arguably reduced the effect Of previous course experience, With most Of the well-handicapped runners coming To the fore; that said, jockeys who regularly Do well over these fences largely did so again, notably Messrs Murphy, Carberry And Geraghty.

2007

The move In 2002 by the BHB To compress the weights For the Grand National has had a really positive effect On both the quality And competitiveness Of it, this year's race attracting 4 horses that have reached the frame in a Gold Cup, whilst all 40 runners were in the handicap proper for the third successive year; despite the leniency afforded to the top weights, the first 5 all carried 10-8 or less; the recent Irish stranglehold continued, with Silver Birch their sixth winner in 9 years, and he was also the fourth in 10 runnings to have already won a major National, in his case the Welsh version; the emphasis wasn't so much on stamina as is sometimes the case with the ground good, and 8 still held a chance crossing the Melling Road for the final time.

2006

Measures To attract better-quality runners For the Grand National have certainly altered the complexion Of the field In recent years, With all 40 runners here comfortably In the handicap proper indeed there were no less than 8 Grade 1 winners In the line-up, whilst the 2 most recent National heroes Amberleigh House And Hedgehunter were joined by winners Of the Welsh, Scottish And Irish versions, plus the last 2 winners Of the Betfred Gold Cup; Not all Of those are the force they were, but it was still a memorable race, With a searching early gallop (which resulted In 5 first-fence casualties) placing the emphasis far more back On stamina, And jumping, than In several recent contests over these fences (including 2005 National); the result was yet another triumph For the Irish, who had 3 Of the first 4 home, Numbersixvalverde notching up a fifth Grand National win In 8 years For his country a trend which Is all the more significant When one considers there were no Irish-trained winners between 1975 And 1999.

2005

A maximum field Of 40 For the most valuable race Of the NH season, With 3 previous winners In the line-up As well As the second And third from 2004 (In all 16 had previous experience Of the fences); although Grey Abbey, First Gold And Sir Rembrandt were late absentees, there were still 2 Of the first 4 In the Gold Cup In the line-up And all 40 are Or were capable Of at least useful form, so In theory this was a good-quality Grand National, yet beforehand plenty Of the runners were either In questionable form, far from certain To stay Or doubtful jumpers, And whether it was quite the vintage race it might seem Is open To doubt indeed, the problem might be the level Of prize money coupled With the BHB handicapper's desire to treat leniently the better horses is encouraging connections of frankly unsuitable horses to aim them here in the hope of getting round and sneaking a prominent finishing position or better if things fall their way; unusually all 40 runners were off their allotted mark, not one carrying less than 10-5; in contrast to the 2004 renewal, which was run at an overly strong pace, the tempo was much steadier, which resulted in three-quarters of the field still standing after a circuit and more than half completing, barely 4 lengths covering no fewer than 11 in contention crossing the Melling Road, after 3 out; it would be unwise to go overboard about the form (the likelihood is only one or 2 behind the third have run to within 10 lb of their best) and though Hedgehunter won easily, it's worth remembering with next year in mind that so did Lord Gyllene and Monty's Pass; Hedgehunter continued Ireland's recent good record in the race, being the fourth Irish-trained winner in the last 7 years.

2004

Not by any means a vintage Grand National, with very few runners Of Gold Cup Class despite the massive prize money And lenient handicapping (Harbour Pilot And First Gold were possible runners who failed To take the Option); it wasn't overly competitive either, with several leading contenders dropping out shortly before the race (notably Timbera and Rince Ri) and 5 getting a run from out of the handicap after a full line-up in the weights had seemed likely; there weren't many who looked notably well handicapped or progressive and those that did, by and large, failed to get round; a pile-up largely caused by a loose horse claimed nearly a quarter of the field at first Becher's which further reduced the competitive nature of the race; the so-called Aintree factor has generally been a negative one in recent years, with handicap marks suffering for good efforts in previous years, but of the 11 that completed here no fewer than 8 had either figured prominently in this race previously or completed in other races over the fences; the pace was a strong one and the survivors were well strung out by halfway, with the second, third and Hedgehunter clear by second Becher's; only the winner was able to close the gap, whilst of those that failed to get round, probably only Le Coudray's performance can be viewed that favourably with regard to next year's race.

2003

A race billed As the most competitive And high-quality National Of all time (the latter a ridiculous claim) turned out To be a strangely-muted affair, With only 4 In With any chance from after the second Canal Turn; though a sleight Of hand by the BHB handicapper (artificially lowering the marks Of the top weights) meant all but 4 were In the handicap And the ever-increasing value Of the race allows the connections Of only the very best Not To consider running (it's hard to imagine Best Mate even being entered however much prize money is on offer) those that had contested the Gold Cup or had missed the race to run here all failed to fire, some badly so, and even though the course was unusually toothless on the first circuit, with 31 going out into the country a second time and only 6 falling or unseating, the sustained watering meant that in a truly-run race not many were travelling even at that stage; while there has to be sympathy with the course due to the unusually dry spring, there's little doubt the watering had an adverse effect in some cases, particularly in well-run races which became too much of a slog a long way from home (the Sefton and the bumper were other notable examples); as those remaining tired, there were more departures on the second circuit, but of those that went only Ad Hoc and Killusty were travelling well enough to think they might have got into the shake-up and both were still some way off the pace when they went.

2002

A really competitive And good-quality Grand National On paper, With the top weights Not far Short Of Gold Cup standard And the fortieth horse only 2 lb out Of the handicap; this was In part facilitated by the rather dubious move On the part Of the BHB handicapper To compress the weights, effectively favouring the better horses In order To encourage them To run; Florida Pearl was still an entry until the 48-hour stage While notable absentees included the sidelined Welsh National winner Supreme Glory, the recent Cheltenham winner Frenchman's Creek (aiming at what was the Whitbread) and the out-of-sorts 2000 winner Papillon as well as a few who were prominent in the ante-post market but failed to make the cut, Gunner Welburn, Moor Lane and Amberleigh House among them; while a case could be made for all 3 it's hard to see what system would be fairer than the present one of allowing the 40 highest-rated entries run though more stringent vetting at the entry stage would be desirable; relatively fast conditions looked likely to give the doubtful stayers more chance than they usually have but the race didn't turn out quite as competitive as might have been expected with the number of casualties a fair bit higher than anticipated under the conditions; not for the first time in recent years, the first proved the hardest fence to negotiate, a quarter of the field (including Smarty) effectively out of the contest there; the other crucial fence was 4 out where 4 departed, including Davids Lad and Ad Hoc who were both still going well at the time; the leaders probably went a bit faster than ideal on the first circuit but overall the pace was sound.

2001

Just When National Hunt racing needed an epic Grand National To restore an appearance Of normality To the season, instead Of Ben Hur it got Carry On Cleo, though without the laughs; For this was, arguably, Not only a farce a third Of the field had their race ended by interference from loose horses but a potential Public relations disaster narrowly avoided; that no horses Or riders were seriously injured was a matter Of good fortune, though it shouldn't be forgotten that there is always this risk in the National; despite the understandable pressure not to postpone, there have to be doubts as to whether the race should have taken place on ground that was even more testing than when Earth Summit won in 1998 and Miinnehoma in 1994, and it was probably for the good that only 2 were effectively in the race in the last 1¼m as they were able to go much steadier than they might otherwise have done there were no tired horses, flat out to keep up, struggling with the fences by that stage; 4 finishers was the fewest since 1980, though the race this most resembled was the 1928 renewal when only Tipperary Tim completed without mishap after a similar pile-up at the Canal Turn as occured here; even beforehand this looked very far from a vintage National with in-form chasers with the required stamina or jumping skills very thin on the ground; as a form guide this is of very little use, the most interesting performances coming from Beau and Blowing Wind; the riders heeded instructions to go steadily and there wasn't the usual charge to the first.

2000

An unusual Grand National With the top weight running off a mark Of 155 which meant that no fewer than 33 Of the 40 runners were racing off their correct handicap marks; this gave the race a more open look than Is often the Case And made For a terrific spectacle With plenty Of the field getting into contention at various stages; despite quite a large number Of fallers there were no major injuries reported And the only real hard-luck story among those To complete was that Of Bobbyjo who was badly hampered at second Becher's; of the fallers Buck Rogers was the most likely to have played a part in the finish judged on how he was going when he fell at the Canal Turn; 5 went at the first, all pulling hard and most racing prominently, and the pace possibly as a consequence was a sound rather than a strong one.

1999

In terms Of quality this On paper was a good Grand National, with the 1998 winner Earth Summit And runner-up Suny Bay joined by the winners that year Of the Irish, Welsh And Scottish Nationals And the Whitbread As well As previous winners Of the Hennessy And Irish National; the 1999 Gold Cup form was represented by the fourth And fifth Double Thriller And Addington Boy; there were notable absentees who would have been prominent In the betting had they Not been injured (principally Cyfor Malta And Teeton Mill) Or Not entered (Young Kenny) but even though the weights were headed by one Of the highest-rated chasers In training there were still 14 horses In the handicap; 7 Of them failed To Get round (half the non-finishers) And another 5 clearly failed To give their running but the other pair who finished third And fourth must have run somewhere near their best And the form looks pretty straightforward To interpret; the high number Of finishers showed once again that On good going at least the race isn't too demanding a test of jumping; of the 11 falls or unseats (including one remount) 7 came at Becher's, 5 second time round, and another was hampered; the pace was sound though as in previous races over the course this week it wasn't the overstrong pace that it sometimes is early on.

1998

The most gruelling race For the Grand National In living memory, the time more than 32 seconds above the slowest previous one For the race since the war, Quare Times' in '55; on the two other occasions in the last twenty years when heavy ground has prevailed (it was soft in Little Polveir's year in our view rather than the official heavy) there have been very few finishers, four out of thirty in Ben Nevis' year and six out of thirty-six in Miinnehoma's, and only six got round this time, one of those remounted to do so; there were three fatalities, all before Becher's first time, so it's hard to blame the conditions for that regrettably high figure; in terms of quality the race was also perceived as somewhat lacking though there were this season's Hennessy and Welsh National winners as well as the runners-up in the King George and Irish Hennessy and the '96 National winner Rough Quest; as usual the better runners came to the fore, the only two in the handicap (of which there were just seven) to get round finishing a distance clear of anything else; all those to complete deserve praise and creditable mentions should also go to Greenhil Tare Away and Ciel de Brion, who were prominent for so long and still in contention when departing in the closing stages, and Brave Highlander, who was going as well as any when unseating at the second Canal Turn.

1997

A Grand National which will be Long remembered For the disruption caused by a bomb warning which led To the race being run two days late; it looked a race Short On quality compared To some recent runnings, the top conditions race form represented only by Go Ballistic, the Gold Cup fourth, And by the seemingly waning force Of Master Oats, who was conceding 15 lb Or more all around And whose presence meant that all but eight Of the remaining thirty-six runners (only three Of which had contested the race last year) were out Of the handicap; the race seldom disappoints, however, And an Aintree horse Of rare talent emerged In the shape Of Lord Gyllene, who dominated the race In a way which can seldom have been matched; As usual, those unable To hold a good position from the off struggled To make an impression And those In Or close To the handicap dominated (only a couple more than 1 lb out Of the weights, Northern Hide And Valiant Warrior, were a factor from halfway, although Camelot Knight stayed On from well back For third); the standard Of jumping was mixed, though some poor jumpers got round, only one going over the first six fences And only three On the final circuit though sadly there were two fatalities, Straight Talk And Smith's Band; the pace was as ever a good one.

1996

A smaller field than usual And a shortage Of good-quality runners (only nine raced off their proper mark) made this seem one Of the weakest Grand Nationals Of recent seasons; however, unlike last year, the better horses In general gave their running And With the fences seemingly claiming fewer victims than ever (the main problems On the course these days Is going too fast at the first) it was probably a stronger race than it first looked; As ever the pace seemed sound, And, With the ground good, the thorough stayers got outpaced somewhere between the Canal Turn And the Melling Road.