Pineau De Re wins the Grand National: Horse trained by former GP and ridden by a retired jockey beats the favourites to claim victory by five lengths in race where 22 horses fell... but none are dead
- 25-1 bet Pineau De Re has won the 2014 Grand National by five lengths with 16-1 Balthazar King second
- Scores of racing fans, all in their best attire, gathered at Aintree Racecourse for the start of the 167th Grand National
- 40 horses, including favourites Tidal Bay, Teaforthree and Long Run, to run in race - which kicks off at 4.15pm
- Bookmakers say almost half of Britain's adult population will place a bet this afternoon with £250million spent
By Daily Mail UK, 5 April 2014
Pineau De Re has won the 2014 Grand National by five lengths.
The 25-1 bet was followed by late favourite Balthazar King, who moments before the race began was at 16-1. Double Seven, ridden by Tony McCoy, came in third.
The British Horse Racing Authority confirmed all horses are riders have come home safe and sound - with 18 out of 40 finishing the race.
Winning jockey, Leighton Aspell, came out of retirement to return to the National - and will take home the £1million prize.
He told Channel 4: 'From the Canal Turn the second time we had plenty of daylight. It's a wonderful day. I've been watching the National since I was a young boy. You secretly crave a bit of success. To get a ride in the National is a great thing and to get one with a live chance is even better.'
Leighton Aspell celebrates on Pineau De Re after winning the 2014 Grand National.
Second was Balthazar King, followed by Double Seven - ridden by Tony McCoy
Leighton Aspell leads Pineau De Re across the final fence and on towards victory in the 167th Grand National at Aintree
The jockey celebrated with trainer and former GP Dr Richard Newland (right) - who only has 12 horses in his stable
Leighton Aspell celebrates by kissing the trophy after riding Pineau De Re to victory
The 25-1 shot crosses the finishing line and wins the 2014 Grand National by five lengths in front of a crowd of thousands
The 40 horses and riders line up at the start of the 167th Grand National - finally setting off after a false start
The horses fire over an early fence in the race. The going at the course was good-to-soft and good in places before the runners set off
One of the pre-race favourites Teaforthree, ridden by Nick Scholfield, falls at The Chair. Early suggestions indicate no horses died during the race
A dramatic shot shows Nick Scholfield falling from Teaforthree. 18 out of the 40 horses running finished the course
He added: 'I was very conscious that I didn't want to be in front too soon over four and a half miles. He's a small horse, so he finds jumping hard enough.
'When I got a bit of daylight I knew I'd be fine because that was my only worry, a lack of daylight. Once he was in daylight he really enjoyed that part of the race.'
Pineau De Re was trained by former GP Richard Newland - who has only 12 horses in his stable. Mr Newland, speaking to BBC Sport horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght, said: 'Fantastic. We will do this every year I think!
'We are so lucky to have such a lovely horse. It's a dream come true - a dream that we've have for about 30 years.'
Speaking on the news that no horses were injured during the race, a PETA spokesman said: 'While it's a relief that no horses died at Aintree today, the mere fact that this is a cause for celebration says everything that anyone should need to know about the Grand National and the horse-racing industry.
Double Seven, number 14, leads the way across The Chair with Wayward Prince
ridden by Jack Doyle. Pineau De Re can be seen making jumping the fence mid centre
Sam Waley-Cohen protects his head as he falls from Long Run. Other riders continue to gallop past in dramatic scenes
Seconds later Jamie Moore on Mountainous tumbles next to Sam Waley-Cohen at Valentine's fence
Quito De La Roque (pictured centre) ridden by Brian O'Connell briefly stumbles at the Water Jump
The 40 jockeys - 39 male and 1 female - pose for a photograph before mounting their horses
'Hundreds of horses are killed on British racetracks every year – and for nothing more than a bet. And then there are the unseen victims, the thousands of foals bred for racing who don't make the grade and are either dumped at rescue charities, shot at stables or sold for meat.'
Now in its 167th year, the maximum of 40 horses started the race shortly after 4.15 this afternoon. The going at the course was good-to-soft and good in places.
Unfortunately, race goers - including Colleen Rooney, Gloria Hunniford and Sir Cliff Richards - weren't lucky with the weather this afternoon and were hit with heavy showers.
Bookmakers predict over half the adult population will place a bet on the National, which this year has a prize fund of £1million, this year - with about £250million spent.
Crowds of people gather to watch the runners in the Silver Cross Stayers' Hurdle this afternoon
Moments before the race began, Teaforthree was 10-1 favourite. Long Run and Double Seven are 14-1 with Balthazar King 16-1.
Long run was one of the first to fall at around fence 10. Teaforthree also fell at an early stage in the race.
Tidal Bay, trained by Paul Nicholls, is another one of the favourites to win the steeplechase. If successful, the horse will be the oldest winner for over 90 years.
Mr Nicholls said: 'His form off top weight in his last three handicaps has been very good. He is in good shape and I am looking forward to him running.'
GRAND NATIONAL WINNERS
Grand National final result
1. Pineau De Re (L P Aspell) 25-1
2. Balthazar King (R Johnson) 14-1
3. Double Seven (A P McCoy) 10-1 Jt Fav
4. Alvarado (Paul Moloney) 33-1
5. Rocky Creek 16-1
Aintree 3.25
1 Duke Of Lucca (R Johnson) 12-1
2 Vino Griego (J E Moore) 25-1
3 Gullinbursti (N Fehily) 10-1
Aintree 2.50
1 Whisper (B J Geraghty) 4-1
2 At Fishers Cross (A P McCoy) 11-8 Fav
3 Thousand Stars (P Townend) 11-1
Aintree 2.05
1 Balder Succes (W Hutchinson) 7-2
2 Simply Ned (Brian Harding) 12-1
3 Trifolium (A P McCoy) 11-4 Fav
Aintree 1.30
1 Lac Fontana (A P McCoy) 9-2 Fav
2 Splash of Ginge (Sam Twiston-Davies) 12-1
3 Dell' Arca (T Scudamore) 13-2
'It doesn't matter if he races in last and gradually picks up. He likes being ridden that way.'
Last year's third-placed horse Teaforthree as well as 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run are also top contenders.
Other top picks include Monbeg Dude, trained by Michael Scudamore - who co-owns the horse with Mike Tindall, James Simpson-Daniel and Nicky Robinson.
Tindall, who is married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, bought the horse for £12,000.
Several celebrities have told which horse the will back this year. Dame Judi Dench is backing Shakalakaboomboom, saying: 'This one has a fantastic name and does appeal this year. He missed the race last year due to injury but came ninth in 2012. The odds are 25/1 so I think he could stand a fair chance.
Des Lynam said: 'Chance du Roy. Trained by Phillip Hobbs, ridden by Tom O’Brien who has been second in the race. Has also won over national fences before.'
The race is set over nearly four-and-a-half miles with 30 fences including The Chair and and Becher's Brook.
Experts believe certain changes to fences see all runners and riders return safely. They say changes to fence structures combined with a slightly shorter distance will help in this regard. In 2011 and 2012, there were two equine fatalities.
Veterinary expert Alan Wilson told Channel 4 about the challenge facing the running horses. He said: 'Their binocular vision is not very good so they don't see the fences very well.
'They are a herd of animals so they will take their cue from other horses. If one goes wrong jumping you can see how others do as well.'
There are 39 male jockeys in this year's race and just one female - Katie Walsh.
She said today: 'It is fantastic to be asked. I have ridden him at home, I know him well and fingers crossed. I have ridden Seabass here and this guy is different.
Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall are joined by Princess Anne to watch their horse in the competition this afternoon
Earlier in the day, racing fans participated in a one-minute applause for those who died in the Hillsborough Disaster.
Lord Daresbury, who today steps down after 25 years as chairman of the racecourse was presented with a plaque this afternoon.
During the presentation, it was announced that the County Stand is being re-named the Lord Daresbury Stand.
National-winning jockeys over the past 25 years came forward to celebrate Lord Daresbury's achievements.
PhOtOs-Pineau De Re Wins the Grand National
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