Aintree Grand National

“We will see if he enjoys the fences,” says trainer Polly Gundry of Santini, second place in the Gold Cup of 2020, an absolute boat of a horse, HMS Santini they ...

Mark Walsh, on a double for the day, pays another tribute to Sire Du Berlais’ trainer Gordon Elliott. “He had him in tip-top shape.” That was a surprise win but one from a class horse that’s won two Pertemps Hurdles at Cheltenham, even if he did struggle in the same race this year. This music, from the film Champions, can bring a tear to the eye of even the hardest-hearted punter. Carried his rider into the history books 12 months ago as a flawless, ground-saving ride by Rachael Blackmore kept him out of trouble and in the right place to strike for home two out. William Lynn, its founder, was an Aintree landlord who wanted to attract customers to his hotel, and created a steeplechase run over local fields and obstacles that guaranteed a decent payout for anyone who could find the winner. Anibal Fly and Eclair Surf go at the second. Mount Ida and Enjoy d’Allen fall at the first fence. Top Ville Ben in midfield as Cloth Cap is pulled up before Becher’s. Noble Yeats goes to the last in the lead, Any Second Now giving chase, Waley-Cohen versus Mark Walsh, and Noble Yeats has done it as he speeds to the line, in his, Sam Waley-Cohen’s, very last race. I’ve got to say thank you, as it’s my last ever ride, to my dad [Robert Waley-Cohen, owner], for unwavering belief and love,” said the jockey afterwards. Sam Waley-Cohen, the winning jockey, a close pal of Prince William and Kate Middleton, has been a top rider for many years now, an amateur in only the sense that he didn’t get paid. And many congratulations to the Waley-Cohen clan and trainer Emmet Mullins. Noble Yeats goes to the last in the lead, Any Second Now giving chase, Waley-Cohen versus Mark Walsh, and Noble Yeats has done it as he speeds to the line, in his, Sam Waley-Cohen’s, very last race.