Leighton Aspell, last year’s winning Grand National jockey, struck again on Many Clouds in Saturday’s Aintree marathon as Tony McCoy’s bid for a fairytale send-off ended in gallant failure.
McCoy, on his 20th and last appearance in the world famous steeplechase before retirement in a fortnight, held every chance over the last on 6-1 favourite Shutthefrontdoor.
But the pair had to settle for fifth as Aspell and a foot-perfect Many Clouds held off the spirited challenge of Saint Are to become the first jockey since the 1950s to win back-to-back editions of the gruelling four-and-a-half mile (7240m), 30-fence spectacle.
Many Clouds, trained by Oliver Sherwood and owned by British tycoon Trevor Hemmings, was returned at 25-1. Saint Are took second, one-and-three quarters lengths back, also at 25-1, with Moonbeg Dude belying his 40-1 odds to claim third, six lengths adrift.
Alvarado (20-1) was fourth with Shutthefrontdoor and McCoy in fifth.
Aspell, who chose to ride Many Clouds in place of last year’s unplaced winner Pineau de Re, said: “Wonderful, we’ll certainly celebrate tonight.
“I asked him big questions and he certainly responded. He’s all heart, I was hoping his battery would last and it did.”
Sherwood cut a distinctly modest figure in the winner’s enclosure, reflecting on his eight-year-old charge’s return to top form after a poor run in the Gold Cup last month.
“The horse has been unbelievable, blossoming all season. I don’t know what happened in the Gold Cup, he got out of the wrong side of the bed that morning.
“I’ve never showed him a fence at the National on purpose. But what do I know about horses!”
Hemmings, owner of third tier English football league side Preston North End, was welcoming home his third National winner after Hedgehunter and Ballabriggs.
He paid tribute to Aspell, saying: “Achievers are normally quiet, confident and experienced, and he’s got all three. Wonderful.”
