Every year, we wait patiently (or, in my case, very impatiently) for the list of Grand National runners to be announced at the end of January.
It’s a big deal to see which potential runners have been given the green light for a shot at those famous Aintree fences.
2018 was no different except that most of us had no idea that Tiger Roll was about to embark on a journey that would send him straight into the history books.
So let’s look back at how the race unfolded, from the day the entries were announced to the finishing order on race day at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, 14th April 2018.
Entries
It was January 31, 2018, when the list of 105 entries for the Randox Health Grand National was revealed.
That figure was down on that of 2017 when 110 were entered, and even less than in 2016, when 126 got the thumbs up.
The Irish were out in force and clearly looking to raid, with Grand National winning trainers Gordon Elliot and Willie Mullins heading the trainers with ten entries each.
Elliott had included Bless The Wings, Cause of Causes, General Principle, Mala Beach, Noble Endeavor, Out Sam, Outlander, Poormans Hill, Tiger Roll and Ucello Conti.
Six of those also received entries in 2017, with only Ucello Conti and Cause Of Causes actually making it to the starting line-up.
Willie Mullins put Acapella Bourgeois, Arbre de Vie, Bellshill, Bravissimo, Childrens List, Pairofbrowneyes, Pleasant Company, Polidam, Rathvinden and Total Recall into the mix, with Total Recall having the shortest odds with the bookmakers at a general 20/1 ante-post with the bookmakers.
2017’s fourth-place finisher and the 2018 Grand National ante post favourite Blaklion secured his entry and was one of six entries for dual Grand National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Still searching for his first Grand National win, trainer Nicky Henderson had three contenders in Gold Present, who wore down Frodon to land a Listed handicap chase at Ascot before Christmas, Vyta Du Roc and O O Seven.
Gigginstown House Stud, the owner of 2016 winner Rule the World, led the owners with 11 entries, including Road To Riches, Outlander and Thunder And Roses.
John Baker, Regional Director North West, The Jockey Club, said at the time:
“We are delighted with the excellent quality of entries for the 2018 Randox Health Grand National, which once again offers a total prize fund of £1 million.
“It is also pleasing to break the 100-barrier for the fourth time in five years in terms of the number of entries, and we continue to receive very strong support from Ireland.
“The 2018 Randox Health Grand National Festival offers record prize money of £3.21 million and preparations are well underway at Aintree for what will be an outstanding three days of racing.
“We are now eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the weights for the world’s greatest chase, with the surroundings of BAFTA in London providing a suitably dramatic backdrop.”
The Weights
On February 14th, 2018, the weights for the Grand National were officially revealed by the BHA Handicapper Phil Smith, and it was Brian Ellison’s Definitly Red who led the pack on top weight of 11-10.
Though he ran but pulled up in the 2017 event, Definitely Red had been on fantastic form, notching up back-to-back winners at Aintree in December and Cheltenham in January and was a general 20/1 ante-post with most bookmakers.
But the runner garnering all of the attention was Blaklion from Nigel Twiston-Davies. Blaklion was handed 11-06, and although that statistically made his chances of winning more difficult, it didn’t stop most of the bookmakers from inserting him as the ante-post favourite at odds as low as 8/1.
He had previously run in the race in 2017, finishing in fourth spot, eight lengths adrift of One For Arthur, having led at the 26th fence before being bumped by the eventual winner.
Speaking to Racing UK, Twiston-Davies advised “He’ll be ridden differently, no blame on Noel (Fehily) at all, but he kicked on a mile from home. If we don’t kick on a mile from home then that eight lengths can be found.
“He’s a bit like Red Rum. He’s small and very neat over his fences. Twice he’s been round there, he doesn’t seem to make a mistake, is agile, and nips around horses who have fallen ahead of him. He’s a clever little horse.
“He doesn’t compare to any of them. At this stage he is more natural than the others. Earth Summit was a real slogger, and Bindaree was a very talented horse but didn’t try that hard. He was clever on his way around.”
With ten potential runners entered, Irish trainer Willie Mullins didn’t rule any of his contenders in or out.
However, following the weights, three didn’t make the cut – Bravissimo, Abre De Vie and Pairofbrowneyes – leaving seven still in the mix.
Total Recall had the shortest ante-post odds from the Mullins hand as second favourite on 14/1, just behind Blaklion.
However, even assistant trainer Patrick Mullins conceded that the task would be challenging.
“With over 11st is going to be very hard,” he said.
“Only two horses in the last four years have finished in the first four, but he has an improving profile that makes him very interesting.
“He is fantastic jumper, handles big handicaps and should stay. It is just going to be hard to go win two handicaps in one season”.
Fellow Irish trainer Gordon Elliott mused that he would have no more than five runners on the day.
Confirming that Outlander would head to the Punchestown Gold Cup, and with General Principal, Out Sam and Poormans Hill ruled out because they didn’t make the cut, his team then consisted of Cause Of Causes, who was second in 2017, Ucello Conti, Tiger Roll, Noble Endeavor and possibly the veteran Bless The Wings.
Once the weights were announced the table looked like this:
| Horse | Age | Wgt | Rating | Owner | Trainer | |
| 1) | DEFINITLY RED (IRE) | 9 | 11-10 | 165 | Phil & Julie Martin | Brian Ellison |
| 2) | BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) | 7 | 11-09 | 164 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 3) | EDWULF | 9 | 11-09 | 164 | J P McManus | Joseph O’Brien IRE |
| 4) | OUTLANDER (IRE) | 10 | 11-08 | 163 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 5) | MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) | 8 | 11-07 | 162 | J P McManus | Jonjo O’Neill |
| 6) | BLAKLION | 9 | 11-06 | 161 | Simon Such & Gino Paletta | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 7) | SUB LIEUTENANT (IRE) | 9 | 11-05 | 160 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| 8) | ANIBALE FLY (FR) | 8 | 11-04 | 159 | J P McManus | Tony Martin IRE |
| 9) | THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) | 10 | 11-04 | 159 | Paul & Clare Rooney | Kim Bailey |
| 10) | MALA BEACH (IRE) | 10 | 11-03 | 158 | Chris Jones | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 11) | VALSEUR LIDO (FR) | 9 | 11-03 | 158 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| 12) | AMERICAN (FR) | 8 | 11-02 | 157 | The Jago Family Partnership | Harry Fry |
| 13) | TOTAL RECALL (IRE) | 9 | 11-01 | 156 | Slaneyville Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 14) | ALPHA DES OBEAUX (FR) | 8 | 11-00 | 155 | Gigginstown House Stud | Mouse Morris IRE |
| 15) | GOLD PRESENT (IRE) | 8 | 11-00 | 155 | John & Barbara Cotton | Nicky Henderson |
| 16) | NOBLE ENDEAVOR (IRE) | 9 | 10-13 | 154 | Chris Jones | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 17) | PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) | 11 | 10-13 | 154 | ISL Recruitment | Fergal O’Brien |
| 18) | SIZING CODELCO (IRE) | 9 | 10-13 | 154 | Ann & Alan Potts Limited | Colin Tizzard |
| 19) | CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) | 10 | 10-12 | 153 | J P McManus | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 20) | SHANTOU FLYER (IRE) | 8 | 10-12 | 153 | Carl Hinchy | Richard Hobson |
| 21) | CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) | 12 | 10-11 | 152 | J P McManus | John Kiely IRE |
| 22) | O O SEVEN (IRE) | 8 | 10-11 | 152 | Christopher Hanbury | Nicky Henderson |
| 23) | TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) | 11 | 10-11 | 152 | Boultbee Brooks Ltd | Venetia Williams |
| 24) | GO CONQUER (IRE) | 9 | 10-10 | 151 | Paul & Clare Rooney | Jonjo O’Neill |
| 25) | TRAFFIC FLUIDE (FR) | 8 | 10-10 | 151 | Galloping On The South Downs Partnership | Gary Moore |
| 26) | VICENTE (FR) | 9 | 10-10 | 151 | Trevor Hemmings | Paul Nicholls |
| 27) | ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS (FR) | 8 | 10-09 | 150 | Slaneyville Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 28) | RATHVINDEN (IRE) | 10 | 10-09 | 150 | Ronnie Bartlett | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 29) | REGAL ENCORE (IRE) | 10 | 10-09 | 150 | J P McManus | Anthony Honeyball |
| 30) | TIGER ROLL (IRE) | 8 | 10-09 | 150 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 31) | VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) | 9 | 10-09 | 150 | Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent | David Pipe |
| 32) | A GENIE IN ABOTTLE (IRE) | 7 | 10-08 | 149 | Gigginstown House Stud | Noel Meade IRE |
| 33) | AS DE MEE (FR) | 8 | 10-08 | 149 | The Stewart Family & Judi Dench | Paul Nicholls |
| 34) | CHASE THE SPUD | 10 | 10-08 | 149 | Christine Banks | Fergal O’Brien |
| 35) | ROCK THE KASBAH (IRE) | 8 | 10-08 | 149 | Diana Whateley | Philip Hobbs |
| 36) | SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT | 10 | 10-08 | 149 | Quona Thomson | Sandy Thomson |
| 37) | WARRIORS TALE | 9 | 10-08 | 149 | Michelle & Dan Macdonald | Paul Nicholls |
| 38) | BELLSHILL (IRE) | 8 | 10-07 | 148 | Andrea & Graham Wylie | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 39) | FLYING ANGEL (IRE) | 7 | 10-07 | 148 | Rob Rexton | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 40) | GAS LINE BOY (IRE) | 12 | 10-07 | 148 | The Three Graces | Ian Williams |
| 41) | PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE) | 10 | 10-07 | 148 | Malcolm C Denmark | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 42) | THE DUTCHMAN (IRE) | 8 | 10-07 | 148 | SprayClad UK | Colin Tizzard |
| 43) | BEEVES (IRE) | 11 | 10-06 | 147 | Paul & Clare Rooney | Jennie Candlish |
| 44) | SAINT ARE (FR) | 12 | 10-06 | 147 | David Fox | Tom George |
| 45) | UCELLO CONTI (FR) | 10 | 10-06 | 147 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 46) | VYTA DU ROC (FR) | 9 | 10-06 | 147 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nicky Henderson |
| 47) | CAROLE’S DESTRIER | 10 | 10-05 | 146 | Carole Skipworth | Neil Mulholland |
| 48) | LONG HOUSE HALL (IRE) | 10 | 10-05 | 146 | Carl Hinchy | Dan Skelton |
| 49) | POLIDAM (FR) | 9 | 10-05 | 146 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 50) | RAZ DE MAREE (FR) | 13 | 10-05 | 146 | James Swan | Gavin Cromwell IRE |
| 51) | ABOLITIONIST (IRE) | 10 | 10-04 | 145 | Mark Albon, John Provan & Chris Stedman | Dr Richard Newland |
| 52) | BAIE DES ILES (FR) | 7 | 10-04 | 145 | Zorka Wentworth | Ross O’Sullivan IRE |
| 53) | BUYWISE (IRE) | 11 | 10-04 | 145 | T Hywel Jones | Evan Williams |
| 54) | CHILDRENS LIST (IRE) | 8 | 10-04 | 145 | Susannah Ricci | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 55) | I JUST KNOW (IRE) | 8 | 10-04 | 145 | M B Scholey & the late R H Scholey | Sue Smith |
| 56) | MAGGIO (FR) | 13 | 10-04 | 145 | Douglas Pryde/James Beaumont | Patrick Griffin IRE |
| 57) | PENDRA (IRE) | 10 | 10-04 | 145 | J P McManus | Charlie Longsdon |
| 58) | VIRGILIO (FR) | 9 | 10-04 | 145 | C J Edwards, D Futter, A H Rushworth | Dan Skelton |
| 59) | CAPTAIN REDBEARD (IRE) | 9 | 10-03 | 144 | Stuart Coltherd | Stuart Coltherd |
| 60) | HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) | 11 | 10-03 | 144 | Mrs Julian Blackwell | Venetia Williams |
| 61) | LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) | 12 | 10-03 | 144 | Dr Ronan Lambe | Jim Culloty IRE |
| 62) | SILSOL (GER) | 9 | 10-03 | 144 | Michelle & Dan Macdonald | Paul Nicholls |
| 63) | THIRD INTENTION (IRE) | 11 | 10-03 | 144 | Robert & Sarah Tizzard | Colin Tizzard |
| 64) | THREE FACES WEST (IRE) | 10 | 10-03 | 144 | Paul & Clare Rooney | Philip Hobbs |
| 65) | WILD WEST WIND (IRE) | 9 | 10-03 | 144 | Simon Clarke | Tom George |
| 66) | BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) | 13 | 10-02 | 143 | Adrian Butler & S P O’Connor | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 67) | DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) | 12 | 10-02 | 143 | Options O Syndicate | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 68) | FINAL NUDGE (IRE) | 9 | 10-02 | 143 | Corbett Stud | David Dennis |
| 69) | MILANSBAR (IRE) | 11 | 10-02 | 143 | Robert Bothway | Neil King |
| 70) | MORNING ASSEMBLY (IRE) | 11 | 10-02 | 143 | Clipper Logistics Group Ltd | Pat Fahy IRE |
| 71) | DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR (IRE) | 8 | 10-01 | 142 | McGoldrick Racing 3 | Sue Smith |
| 72) | ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) | 11 | 10-01 | 142 | Gigginstown House Stud | Noel Meade IRE |
| 73) | THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE) | 10 | 10-01 | 142 | Gigginstown House Stud | Mouse Morris IRE |
| 74) | SAMETEGAL (FR) | 9 | 10-00 | 141 | John & Barbara Cotton | Paul Nicholls |
| 75) | VINTAGE CLOUDS (IRE) | 8 | 10-00 | 141 | Trevor Hemmings | Sue Smith |
| 76) | WALK IN THE MILL (FR) | 8 | 10-00 | 141 | Baroness Harding | Robert Walford |
| 77) | GENERAL PRINCIPLE (IRE) | 9 | 9-12 | 139 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 78) | VIC DE TOUZAINE (FR) | 9 | 9-12 | 139 | Andrew Brooks & G Moore | Venetia Williams |
| 79) | VIEUX MORVAN (FR) | 9 | 9-12 | 139 | M L Bloodstock | Joseph O’Brien IRE |
| 80) | WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE) | 9 | 9-12 | 139 | Gigginstown House Stud | Noel Meade IRE |
| 81) | ARBRE DE VIE (FR) | 8 | 9-11 | 138 | Susannah Ricci | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 82) | BALLYALTON (IRE) | 11 | 9-11 | 138 | John Westwood | Ian Williams |
| 83) | BONNY KATE (IRE) | 8 | 9-11 | 138 | Patricia Hunt | Noel Meade IRE |
| 84) | COGRY | 9 | 9-11 | 138 | Graham & Alison Jelley | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 85) | MISSED APPROACH (IRE) | 8 | 9-11 | 138 | Alan & Andrew Turner | Warren Greatrex |
| 86) | MYSTEREE (IRE) | 10 | 9-11 | 138 | Mrs Lynne Maclennan | Michael Scudamore |
| 87) | SIR MANGAN (IRE) | 10 | 9-11 | 138 | Frank McAleavy | Dan Skelton |
| 88) | SPLASH OF GINGE | 10 | 9-11 | 138 | John Neild | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 89) | BRAQUEUR D’OR (FR) | 7 | 9-10 | 137 | Corsellis & Seyfried | Paul Nicholls |
| 90) | MINELLA DADDY (IRE) | 8 | 9-10 | 137 | Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar | Peter Bowen |
| 91) | PAIROFBROWNEYES (IRE) | 9 | 9-10 | 137 | Fibbage Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 92) | RELENTLESS DREAMER (IRE) | 9 | 9-10 | 137 | Nigel Morris | Rebecca Curtis |
| 93) | KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) | 9 | 9-09 | 136 | Tim Leslie | Donald McCain |
| 94) | THE YOUNG MASTER | 9 | 9-08 | 135 | Mike Burbidge & The Old Masters | Neil Mulholland |
| 95) | ALFIE SPINNER (IRE) | 13 | 9-06 | 133 | Alan Beard & Brian Beard | Kerry Lee |
| 96) | HENRI PARRY MORGAN | 10 | 9-06 | 133 | Ednyfed & Elizabeth Morgan | Peter Bowen |
| 97) | PHIL’S MAGIC (IRE) | 8 | 9-06 | 133 | Lyreen Syndicate | Tony Martin IRE |
| 98) | BRAVISSIMO (FR) | 7 | 9-05 | 132 | Susannah Ricci | Willie Mullins IRE |
| 99) | DANCING SHADOW (IRE) | 9 | 9-05 | 132 | The Dancing Shadows | Victor Dartnall |
| 100) | ROGUE ANGEL (IRE) | 10 | 9-05 | 132 | Gigginstown House Stud | Mouse Morris IRE |
| 101) | THEBARROWMAN (IRE) | 8 | 9-04 | 131 | D Keys | Adrian Keatley IRE |
| 102) | OUT SAM | 9 | 9-03 | 130 | D Charlesworth | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| 103) | KRACKATOA KING | 10 | 9-00 | 127 | JC Harrison Lee & T Howard Partnership | Kerry Lee |
| 104) | GOODTOKNOW | 10 | 8-13 | 126 | Burling Lee MacEchern Nolan Potter | Kerry Lee |
| 105) | POORMANS HILL (IRE) | 7 | NQ | 120 | V Caldwell/Mrs K Caldwell | Gordon Elliott IRE |
Scratching Stages
Two weeks after the weights, the first scratching stage took place (February 27th) and from the original 105 Grand National entries, 90 were confirmed as going forward.
Last year’s fourth, and joint ante-post favourite Blaklion, was one of five entries going forward for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies as he aimed for a third winner in the race following the victories of Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002).
The Willie Mullins-trained Total Recall was the other 10/1 market leader, having landed the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury and a competitive Leopardstown handicap hurdle on his previous two starts.
Ireland’s champion Jump trainer, successful at Aintree with Hedgehunter in 2005, had six other entries remaining in the £1-million contest, including Bobbyjo Chase winner Bellshill and Pleasant Company, who was ninth in the 2017 renewal.
Gordon Elliott, who landed the Grand National with Silver Birch in 2007 in his first season with a training licence, had eight remaining entries headed by Gigginstown-owned Outlander as well as Mala Beach and Cause Of Causes.
Abolitionist was scratched by trainer Dr Richard Newland due to injury. The 10-year-old had shown some high-class form earlier in the season, finishing second to Empire Of Dirt in the Troytown Chase at Navan before landing the Leinster National at Naas and finishing third in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Newland told Press Association Sport: “He had a little problem earlier in the season, and we’ve been trying to get him right, but unfortunately we’ve just run out of time.
“We entered him over hurdles at Ascot earlier in the month, but it’s just in the last week or two that we’ve discovered he isn’t quite right, and we’ve got to back off and give him time.
“He’ll have the rest of the season off and we’ll have another go with him next season.”
Abolitionist was just one of 15 entries scratched and was joined by:
Arbre De Vie, Ballyalton, Bravissimo, Bristol De Mai, Missed Approach, Noble Endeavor, Polidam, Poormans Hill, Sametegal, Silsol, The Barrowman, Three Faces West, Vieux Morvan and Vyta Du Roc.
Trainers Have Their Say
As expected, most trainers were quite optimistic about their chances, while some were more cautious and played their cards close to the chest.
Ian Williams, who was sending Gas Line Boy to Aintree said: “Gas Line Boy is in great form at home and everything has gone well with him since his last run at Sandown.
“He has schooled over Grand National-type fences at home and his work has been good.
“He’s been really well in the build-up to the race and he was an excellent fifth in last year’s Grand National.
“Robbie Dunne, who rode him in both last year’s Grand National and the Grand Sefton, will ride him once again as he knows the horse well – we’re looking forward to the day.”
Jim Culloty was bringing 12 -year-old Lord Windermere to Aintree for his third attempt in four years.
He pulled-up in 2015 but was back in 2017 to finish in 7th place. Culloty, when speaking to Chris Cook at The Guardian, said: “He boils over progressively more as the season goes on.
“Over the years, the further we’ve got into the season, the worse he does it. So I’m trying to bring him there fresh, as if it was his first run of the season. He always runs well first time out.
“He’s in good form. I think he’s fit. I’m very, very happy with him.”
Lord Windermere can now be backed at odds of around 50/1 for the Grand National.
Gordon Elliott was still riding high from an epic Cheltenham Festival and an Irish Grand Win, so all eyes were on his three runners and he looked to bring the 2018 Grand National trophy back to Ireland.
Speaking about Tiger Roll, Elliott said: “Tiger Roll is in very good form and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“I think he’ll love the National, the fences will light him up.
“It’s the Grand National, and you need a lot of luck and for everything to go right, but I think the race will suit him.
“The one worry would be the weather and what sort of ground they get.
“The better the ground at Aintree the better his chance, but there’s still nearly two weeks until the race and with a dry week the ground should start to dry.”
Colin Tizzard, trainer of Gold Cup winner Native River, planned to field The Dutchman and signs from the yard were positive. Joe Tizzard, the assistant trainer said: “The Dutchman is in good form.
“We have been easy on him since Haydock and he seems to be really well in himself at the moment.
“I think the Grand National should suit.”
Jonjo O’Neill, winning trainer with Don’t Push It in 2010, had just one runner in Minella Rocco and it looked like he was pulling out all the stops to get him ready.
He said “Minella Rocco wants the ground to dry up badly, and it is due to improve a bit.
“He’s never at his best in the mud, and if we get the ground, you would be excited. We live in hope.”
Gavin Cromwell had the opposite problem to Jonjo O’Neill and badly needed it to rain. With Raz De Maree heading to the starting line, Cromwell said: “I think I’m the only man around who wants it to carry on raining but I’ll be doing a rain dance until National day!”
And They’re Off
Another incredible Grand National in 2018 saw quite a lot of changes on the run up, including last-minute withdrawals from Regal Encore and Walk In The Mill, which meant that only 38 runners took to the starting line.
Despite the heavy going all runners and riders were in good form, and with no false starts, the race went off without a hitch.
Tiger Roll won by one of the narrowest margins in the history of the race, and a photo finish was needed to determine the winner as he beat Pleasant Company by a head.
A delighted Davy Russell, who had never won the race, reigned victorious as trainer Gordon Elliott bagged his second win.
It was also a second win for Gigginstown House and Michael O’Leary, who won the race in 2016 with Rule The World, ironically with jockey David Mullins, who was on Pleasant Company for trainer Willie Mullins.
The Finishing Order:
1. Tiger Roll – Davy Russell
2. Pleasant Company – David Mullins
3. Bless the Wings – Jack Kennedy
4. Anibale Fly – Barry Geraghty
5. Milansbar – Bryony Frost
6. Road to Riches – Sean Flanagan
7. Gas Line Boy – Robert Dunne
8. Valseur Lido – Keith Donoghue
9. Vieux Lion Rouge – Tom Scudamore
10. Raz De Maree – Robbie Power
11. Seeyouatmidnight – Brian Hughes
12. Baie Des Iles – Ms Katie Walsh
Rest of the Field
1st fence:
Blaklion – Sam Twiston-Davies – brought down
Perfect Candidate – Alain Cawley – fell
6th fence:
I Just Know – Danny Cook – fell
Houblon Des Obeaux – Charlie Deutsch – fell
Virgilio – Harry Skelton – fell
7th fence:
Captain Redbeard – Sam Coltherd – unseated rider
8th fence:
Lord Windermere – A E Lynch – unseated rider
Buywise – Adam Wedge – unseated rider
Final Nudge – Gavin Sheehan – unseated rider
15th fence:
Chase The Spud – Paddy Brennan – pulled up
Alpha Des Obeaux – Rachael Blackmore – fell
Saint Are – Ciaran Gethings – brought down
17th fence:
Delusionofgrandeur – Henry Brooke – pulled up
18th fence:
Maggio – Brendan Powell – pulled up
23rd fence:
The Dutchman – Harry Cobden – unseated rider
26th fence:
Thunder And Roses – J J Slevin – pulled up
The Last Samuri – David Bass – pulled up
Tenor Nivernais – Tom O’Brien – pulled up
Shantou Flyer – James Bowen – pulled up
27th fence:
Ucello Conti – Daryl Jacob – unseated rider
29th fence:
Total Recall – Paul Townend – pulled up
Warriors Tale – Sean Bowen – pulled up
Pendra – Aidan Coleman – pulled up
Double Ross – Jamie Bargary – pulled up
Non-finishers:
Carlingford Lough with Mark Walsh and Childrens List with Jonathan Burke pulled up before the finish line.
Summing Up 2018
The 2018 Grand National will long be remembered as a thrilling spectacle that showcased the very best of National Hunt racing.
38 horses lined up at the start on a heavy Aintree course, facing the daunting challenge of 30 fences over 4 miles and 514 yards.
As the race unfolded, it became a test of endurance and heart, with many of the pre-race favourites falling by the wayside.
In the end, it was the diminutive Tiger Roll, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by veteran jockey Davy Russell, who crossed the finishing post first in a heart-stopping finish that had us on the edge of our seats.
Little did we know that he would be back in 2019 to do it all over again!
