The world’s most famous horserace attracted great international interest again and delivered a newsworthy winner, Sam Waley-Cohen having announced this would be his final ride days before the race. It was a polished performance from horse and jockey until late on, when Waley-Cohen exceeded the guidelines for whip use, resulting in a £400 fine and a pointless (in the circumstances) nine-day ban. The Grand National had become safer after modifications to fences at the end of 2012 but has now claimed the lives of four horses in its last three runnings. One factor is field size – as it demonstrably is across all jump racing – though a reduction in that has been stubbornly resisted by certain influential commentators. Another may have been early speed, which in this instance saw the fastest run to the first fence in the race’s history (the start having been moved forward at the same time as fence modifications). Things settled down thereafter and the finishing speed % (in a section where there are far fewer fences than earlier) of 106 is about average.
NOBLE YEATS (c154 here, 148 previously) took to this like a duck to water, kept away from the hot early pace, jumping notably well on the whole, switched to the inner and tracking from halfway, coming through to edge ahead 2 out and rallying gamely having briefly looked to be coming off second-best on the run-in. This was also a fine training performance from Emmett Mullins, who has a horse with time on his side to attempt future repeats, the first winning 7-y-o since 1940 (though there were plenty of that age and even younger prior to that).
ANY SECOND NOW (c165 here, 162 previously) came into this in form, and with handy experience of this race (third 12 months ago), and ran an absolute belter, one of the best Grand National performances of recent years under a big weight. He raced in mid-field and gradually took closer order in the last mile, looking to be labouring for a while but leading narrowly at the last and a length or two up briefly before the winner rallied (touched nearly 5/1 on). He would be an interesting contender against some of the better staying chasers outside A Plus Tard but will presumably be targeted specifically at this race again in 2022/2023.
DELTA WORK (c153 here, 162 previously) was far from discredited, for all that he was beaten a fair way in the end, making a few mistakes early and some way back before improving well after 3 out and briefly looking like playing a more major part. He could do even better 12 months from now with this under his belt.
SANTINI (c146 here, 153 previously) ran at least respectably, beaten a fair way but outperforming his odds in terms of finishing position, taking to it well and improving from mid-field to have a chance before 2 out then one paced, though seeing it out better than most others.
FIDDLERONTHEROOF (c143 here, 158 previously) was not discredited but might not have got home fully, not that much of a surprise for one who has form at much shorter fairly recently, just behind the leaders for a long way but no extra from the second-last.
LONGHOUSE POET (c141+ here, 154 previously) shaped a lot better than the result, tanking along in the front rank for much of the way, making a couple of serious errors on the final circuit but bang there until between the last 2.
FREEWHEELIN DYLAN (c122 here, 147 previously) showed up prominently for a long way, disputing the lead/leading briefly for much of the final mile until weakening between the last 2.
COKO BEACH (c117 here, 146 previously) took to this with gusto, leading for much of the way but paying for his exertions late on at a trip probably beyond him (at least ridden in this manner).
ESCARIA TEN (c113 here, 154 previously) showed up OK for a long way before weakening after 2 out and should be of interest back at a bit shorter.
ROMAIN DE SENAM (c92 here, 145? previously)
SAMCRO (c97 here, 150 previously)
COMMODORE (c0 here, 143 previously)
CLASS CONTI (c0 here, 132 previously)
BLAKLION (c0 here, 145 previously)
LOSTINTRANSLATION (c0 here, 152 previously) failed to stay, having taken to the fences well and travelled well close up for a long way.
MINELLA TIMES (c0 here, 159 previously)
RUN WILD FRED (c0 here, 157 previously)
BRAHMA BULL (c0 here, 153 previously)
BURROWS SAINT (c0 here, 156 previously)
MOUNT IDA (c0 here, 153 previously)
TWO FOR GOLD (c+ here, 160 previously) failed to stay but showed up well in the vanguard for a long way, his initially sound jumping deteriorating later on. This should not be taken to indicate that he was out of form.
GOOD BOY BOBBY (c0 here, 148 previously)
DE RASHER COUNTER (c0 here, 143 previously)
KILDISART (c0 here, 148 previously)
DISCORAMA (c0 here, 152 previously)
TOP VILLE BEN (c0 here, 143 previously)
ENJOY D’ALLEN (c0 here, 148 previously)
ANIBALE FLY (c0 here, ? previously)
DINGO DOLLAR (c0 here, 146 previously)
MIGHTY THUNDER (c0 here, 147? previously)
CLOTH CAP (c0 here, 147? previously)
SNOW LEOPARDESS (c0 here, 150 previously)
AGUSTA GOLD (c0 here, 133 previously)
DEISE ABA (c0 here, 146 previously)
POKER PARTY (c0 here, 138? previously)
DEATH DUTY (c0 here, 144 previously)
DOMAINE DE L’ISLE (c0 here, 138 previously)
ECLAIR SURF (c0 here, 146 previously)
FORTESCUE (c0 here, 147 previously)
SCHOOL BOY HOURS (c0 here, 139 previously)
