Many had expected a fairy tale ending for the man in green and gold in Saturday’s Grand National, but the one we got came right out of the blue. It was Leighton Aspell on the Oliver Sherwood-trained Many Clouds who rode to victory in the race, coming in ahead of Saint Are, Monbeg Dude, Alvarado and the Shutthefrontdoor and AP McCoy in his final appearance at Aintree.
Grand National 2015 Result
- Many Clouds – 25/1
- Saint Are – 25/1
- Monbeg Dude – 40/1
- Alvarado – 20/1
- Shutthefrontdoor – 6/1F
Check out the full Grand National 2015 results.
The eight-year-old became the youngest winner of the National since 2002, and it was the perfect way for him to bounce back from a disappointing sixth placed finish at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Nathan Horrocks, who is Many Clouds’ regular work rider, said, “We’re absolutely over the moon with him. He’s only an eight-year-old so he’s got a big future and it will be great looking forward to him running next year.”
That sealed back-to-back Grand National victories for Aspell, as his 25/1 shot held off the chasing pack to secure the prestigious triumph. He also became the first person to win back-to-back Nationals since 1974, which will make this win even sweeter for him. He actually retired from racing back in 2007, before coming back in 2009. After the last couple of years, it’s certainly turned into a fantastic decision to have returned to the sport for the 38-year-old.
He held off the challenge of Saint Are (25/1) to take the win by just short of two lengths, with Monbeg Dude (40/1) and Alvarado (20/1) making up a very high priced top four. McCoy ended up coming in fifth after a good start, which means he’s putting off retirement until the end of this month.
It was McCoy and Shutthefrontdoor who came into the Grand National as favourites, being priced as short as short as 7/1 to win with many bookies, and many punters expected (or at least hoped) McCoy would have a fairy tale finish to his incredible career. For a time it looked like that was possible, and the Northern Irishman believed he was on course for the win. “I genuinely thought I was going to win,” McCoy said. “I was travelling well, he seemed a safe jumper. I did think up until four out that the dream was on.”
One of the early favourites behind Shutthefrontdoor was Balthazar King (17/2), but he never really got to challenge on Saturday, after he fell at the Canal Turn. The horse suffered broken ribs from the fall, which unseated jockey Ruby Walsh. The chequered flag was waved to clear the field away from the fallen horse and the worst was feared, but he is currently recovering in University of Liverpool Equine Hospital.
Of the 39 horse to start the 2015 Grand National, 19 finished the race, nine were pulled up, eight fell, two unseated their rider and one was brought down. Further details can be found by consulting the full Grand National 2015 result. All in all it was a cracking renewal of the most famous steeplechase of them all, and we’re already starting to think about next year’s event!
