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Collonges wins Grand National thriller

Neptune Collonges: Grand National winner © PA Photos

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Neptune Collonges produced a brilliant late run to cut down Sunnyhillboy in a thrilling renewal of the Grand National.

The grey made stealthy headway from a long way back and showed tremendous reserves of stamina to cut down Jonjo O'Neill's runner in the shadow of the post to hand champion trainer Paul Nicholls hiss first Grand National success.

Seabass was punted in to favouritism and gave Katie Walsh a brilliant spin. She looked like being the first lady rider to win the race when leading turning for home, but the tank ran empty between the final two fences, while Gold Cup winner Synchronised fell at Becher's Brook on the first occasion and he was one of two horses put down - the other being According To Pete who was brought down at Becher's Brook on the second occasion.

There was a delay to the start of the race as Synchronised jinked going down to the post and unshipped Tony McCoy before running loose for a short while.

False starts also delayed the start and Neptune Collonges found himself a long way back early on. It arguably played into jockey Daryl Jacob's hands as he was able to pick his way through the field.

There was the usual trouble early, with the fast pace taking a toll as a host of runners, fancied chances such as West End Rocker among them, coming down.

Synchronised jumped the first three fences in sketchy fashion and his chance looked over even before he came down at Becher's.

Grand National result:
1st Neptune Collonges 33/1
2nd Sunnyhillboy 16/1
3rd Seabass 8/1Jt Fav
4th Cappa Bleu 16/1

With Shakalakaboomboom and Planet Of Sound duelling for the lead, the runners were strung out from an early stage. Neptune Collonges got himself into a fine rhythm and his neat fencing took him into the race.

The grey made stealthy headway on the second circuit and avoided the trouble at Becher's on the second circuit where On His Own, who had travelled supremely well for Paul Townend - taking the ride in place of the injured Ruby Walsh, crashed out.

Shakalakaboomboom took up the lead after the Canal Turn, where the key players massed in behind.

Seabass travelled superbly for Katie Walsh and her mount jumped into contention at Valentine's Brook. She looked like scoring at one stage, but the stamina ran out as Sunnyhillboy came to challenge.

Sunnyhillboy jumped to the front at the last, having been given a superb stalking ride by Richie McLernon, and the Cheltenham Festival winner powered to the front. He held a clear lead at the elbow, but started to wander out in front.

This handed Neptune Collonges a chance and the grey stuck out his willing neck and was rewarded following an agonising wait for the photo finish to be called.

Owner John Hales said Neptune Collonges, the first grey to win the National since Nicolaus Silver in 1961, would be retired immediately: "He'll never race again, that's it."

Nicholls, who had saddled 52 previous runners in the National, said: "I kept saying to my wife Georgie that he was probably the best horse we've run in the race - if it wasn't for Kauto and Denman he would have won a Gold Cup.

"He's been placed in Gold Cups, he's won Grade Ones, he stays and he's genuine. Gold Cup form counts for an awful lot and Daryl went the brave man's route, and little short-cuts make all the difference."

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