Leighton Aspell on Cloud nine after National

Jockey Leighton Aspell claimed his second consecutive Crabbie’s Grand National win today when coming home first on Many Clouds.

Cloud nine

Twelve months after winning on outsider Pineau De Re, Leighton was victorious on another 25-1 shot.

Many Clouds, who is trained by Oliver Sherwood and owned by Trevor Hemmings, travelled well and moved into the lead five fences from home before crossing the finish line a length-and-three-quarters clear.

“He gave his all, that was some ride,” said Leighton afterwards. “All the way round I was thinking, this is the best ride I’ve had over these fences. I was just hoping the battery life would last and it did.”

For a moment, it had looked like AP McCoy was going to have his dream Grand National finale, having had a fantastic spin and seeming poised to strike for home on Shutthefrontdoor. Butthe firm favourite tired in the closing stages to finish eventual fifth.

Outsiders

The Grand National is famous for shock results, and in recent years outsiders have taken the title. Before Leighton’s two wins there was Auroras Encore in 2013 (66-1) and Neptune Collonges in 2012 (33-1).

In today’s race the top four were all outside chances, with Saint Are (25-1), Monbeg Dude (40-1) and Alvarado (25-1) taking up second, third and fourth place respectively.

Other runners

Out of 39 starters, 19 horses finished the race. Nine pulled up, two unseated their riders, and nine fell, including Ballycasey, who was brought down.

There was a worrying moment for Balthazar King, who had a bad fall at Canal Turn and was treated behind the green screens for some time. He has since been transported to veterinary hospital and early reports suggest he might have broken his ribs.

Many Clouds did finish the race looking tired, but within 10min seemed much brighter, having been taken to the covered washdown area.

There was sad news from earlier in the meeting, when promising Novice Hurdler Seedling had a fatal fall in the 1.30.