2015 Grand National

Last updated

2015 Grand National
Grand National
2015 Grand National logo.png
Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg
Location Aintree Racecourse
Date11 April 2015
Winning horse Flag of Ireland.svg Many Clouds
Starting price 25/1
Jockey Flag of Ireland.svg Leighton Aspell
Trainer Flag of England.svg Oliver Sherwood
Owner Flag of England.svg Trevor Hemmings
Conditions Good to soft
  2014
2016  
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Full replay of the 2015 Grand National Racing TV, YouTube

The 2015 Grand National (officially known as the 2015 Crabbie's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 168th annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase took place on 11 April 2015, the final day of a three-day meeting. A field of 39 runners competed for a share of the £1 million prize fund, and all returned safely to the stables following the race. [1]

Contents

The 2015 National was won by Many Clouds, ridden by Leighton Aspell and trained by Oliver Sherwood. This was Aspell's second consecutive Grand National victory, having won aboard Pineau de Re in 2014. Many Clouds is owned by Trevor Hemmings, who also owned the winners in 2005 and 2011.

The race was sponsored by ginger-beer producer Crabbie's for the second year. It was broadcast live on television by Channel 4, which took over the television rights after 2012; and on radio by BBC Radio, which has held the radio rights since 1927, and Talksport, which was covering the race live for the second time.

Race card

Entries for the 2015 Grand National closed on 3 February 2015 and 98 entrants were announced the following day, down from the record 115 that had been received for the 2014 race. Prior to the handicap announcement one horse was scratched, while another was ruled out as unqualified. Handicap weights were announced by the British Horseracing Authority in London on 17 February. A scratching deadline on 3 March saw the total number of horses reduced to 87; the second scratching deadline on 24 March reduced the field to 74. The five-day confirmation stage took place on 6 April and left 65 potential runners, reduced to 40 on 9 April.

One horse, number 14 Carlito Brigante, was subsequently declared a non-runner, reducing the field to 39 – the first time since 2004 that the maximum 40 did not start. [2] [3]

NoColoursHorseAgeHandicap (stlb) SP Jockey Trainer
1 Lord Windermere (IRE)911–10 Brian O'Connell Jim Culloty (IRE)
2 Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg Many Clouds (IRE)811–09 Leighton Aspell Oliver Sherwood
3 Owner Mr J Hales.svg Unioniste (FRA)711–06 Noel Fehily Paul Nicholls
4 Owner The Johnson and Stewart Families.svg Rocky Creek (IRE)911–03 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls
5 Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg First Lieutenant (IRE)1011–03Ms. Nina Carberry Mouse Morris (IRE)
6 Owner The Brushmakers.svg Balthazar King (IRE)1111–02 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs
7 Owner Mr John P McManus.svg Shutthefrontdoor (IRE)811–02 Tony McCoy Jonjo O'Neill (IRE)
8 Owner Mr J A Provan.svg Pineau de Re (FRA)1211–00 Daryl Jacob Richard Newland
9 Owner Mrs S Ricci.svg Ballycasey (IRE)810–13 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins (IRE)
10 Owner Dr R Lambe.svg Spring Heeled (IRE)810–12 Nick Scholfield Jim Culloty (IRE)
11Rebel Rebellion (IRE)1010–12 Ryan Mahon Paul Nicholls
12Dolatulo (FRA)810–11 Dougie Costello Warren Greatrex
13Mon Parrain (FRA)910–11 Sean Bowen Paul Nicholls
14Non-RunnerN/AN/AN/AN/A
15Night in Milan (IRE)910–09 James Reveley Keith Reveley
16Rubi Light (IRE)1010–09 Andrew Lynch Robert Hennessy (IRE)
17The Druids Nephew (IRE)810–09 Aidan Coleman Neil Mulholland
18 Owner Mr John P McManus star on cap.svg Cause of Causes (USA)710–09 Paul Carberry Gordon Elliott (IRE)
19Godsmejudge (IRE)910–08 Wayne Hutchinson Alan King
20Al Co (FRA)1010–08 Denis O'Regan Peter Bowen
21 Owner Oydunow.svg Monbeg Dude (IRE)1010–07 Liam Treadwell Michael Scudamore
22Corrin Wood (IRE)810–07 David Casey Donald McCain
23 Owner Mr Kevin T Clancy.svg The Rainbow Hunter1110–07 David Bass Kim Bailey
24 Owner Mr D W Fox.svg Saint Are (FRA)910–06 Paddy Brennan Tom George
25 Owner Scotch Piper Syndicate.svg Across the Bay (IRE)1110–06 Henry Brooke Donald McCain
26Tranquil Sea (IRE)1310–05 Gavin Sheehan Warren Greatrex
27 Owner Mr Robert Waley-Cohen.svg Oscar Time (IRE)1410–05Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen
28Bob Ford (IRE)810–04 Paul Townend Rebecca Curtis
29 Owner Mr Andrew Dick.svg Super Duty (IRE)910–04 Will Kennedy Ian Williams
30 Owner Mr John P McManus red cap.svg Wyck Hill (IRE)1110–04 Tom Cannon David Bridgwater
31Gas Line Boy (IRE)910–04 James Best Philip Hobbs
32 Owner Miss I D Du Pre.svg Chance Du Roy (FRA)1110–04 Tom O'Brien Philip Hobbs
33Portrait King (IRE)1010–03 Davy Condon Maurice Phelan (IRE)
34Owega Star (IRE)810–03 Robbie Power Peter Fahey (IRE)
35River Choice (FRA)1210–03 David Cottin Richard Chotard (FRA)
36Court by Surprise (FRA)1010–03 Richie McLernon Emma Lavelle
37 Owner Mr and Mrs William Rucker.svg Alvarado (FRA)1010–03 Paul Moloney Fergal O'Brien
38Soll1010–02 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
39Ely Brown (IRE)1010–02 Jonathan Burke Charlie Longsdon
40Royale Knight910–02 Brendan Powell Richard Newland

Robbie McNamara was due to ride Lord Windermere but withdrew due to injury.

Race overview

Winning jockey Leighton Aspell pictured in 2014 aboard Many Clouds Leighton Aspell riding Many Clouds.jpg
Winning jockey Leighton Aspell pictured in 2014 aboard Many Clouds

The race saw a larger than usual number of fallers on the first lap, including the favoured Balthazar King, whose fall at the Canal Turn led to the field being diverted around that fence on the final lap. Jockey Ruby Walsh (whose horse Ballycasey was brought down) helped stewards alert the field to the diversion. [4] Balthazar King suffered broken ribs in the fall. [5]

Many eyes were on Tony McCoy on the favourite Shutthefrontdoor on what was his last Grand National. He told the media he would retire immediately after the race if he won but his mount ran out of stamina on the home turn and eventually finished fifth. [6]

It was left to Many Clouds, ridden by Leighton Aspell, to come through to win the race. [7] [8] Aspell became the first rider to win successive Nationals since Brian Fletcher rode Red Rum to victory in 1973 and 1974. Saint Are finished second, with Monbeg Dude third, and Alvarado fourth for the second time. Pineau de Re, the previous year's winner and now ridden by Daryl Jacob, finished 12th. [9]

Finishing order

Placed horses
Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg
1: Many Clouds
Owner Mr D W Fox.svg
2: Saint Are
Owner Oydunow.svg
3: Monbeg Dude
Owner Mr and Mrs William Rucker.svg
4: Alvarado

Nineteen runners completed the course as follows: [10]

PositionHorseJockey SP DistancePrize money
1st Many Clouds Leighton Aspell 25/1Won by 1+34 lengths £561,300
2ndSaint Are Paddy Brennan 25/16 lengths£211,100
3rdMonbeg Dude Liam Treadwell 40/13+12 lengths£105,500
4thAlvarado Paul Moloney 20/11+12 lengths£52,700
5th Shutthefrontdoor Tony McCoy 6/1 F2+14 lengths£26,500
6thRoyale Knight Brendan Powell 25/110 lengths£13,200
7thTranquil Sea Gavin Sheehan 33/12+14 lengths£6,800
8thCause of Causes Paul Carberry 14/114 lengths£3,600
9thSoll Tom Scudamore 9/110 lengths£2,000
10thChance Du Roy Tom O'Brien 40/15 lengths£1,000
11thMon Parrain Sean Bowen 33/11+12 lengths
12th Pineau de Re Daryl Jacob 25/16 lengths
13thOwega Star Robbie Power 50/125 lengths
14thSpring Heeled Nick Scholfield 25/12+12 lengths
15thOscar TimeMr. Sam Waley-Cohen 20/13+34 lengths
16thFirst LieutenantMs. Nina Carberry 14/15 lengths
17thRocky Creek Sam Twiston-Davies 8/12+12 lengths
18thNight in Milan James Reveley 20/13+14 lengths
19thDolatulo Dougie Costello 66/1Last to complete

Non-finishers

FenceHorseJockey SP Fate
1Ely Brown Brian Hughes 100/1Fell
1Gas Line Boy James Best 66/1Fell
1Al Co Denis O'Regan 18/1Unseated rider
3 (open ditch)Rubi Light Andrew Lynch 50/1Unseated rider
4Corrin Wood David Casey 66/1Pulled up
5Unioniste Noel Fehily 16/1Fell
6 (Becher's Brook)River Choice David Cottin 100/1Fell
8 (Canal Turn)Balthazar King Richard Johnson 17/2Fell
8 (Canal Turn)Ballycasey Ruby Walsh 25/1Brought down
19Court by Surprise Richie McLernon 33/1Pulled up
25 (Valentine's)Across the Bay Henry Brooke 33/1Pulled up
25 (Valentine's)Super Duty Will Kennedy 66/1Pulled up
25 (Valentine's) Lord Windermere Brian O'Connell 33/1Pulled up
26The Rainbow Hunter David Bass 33/1Fell
26The Druids Nephew Aidan Coleman 10/1Fell
27 (open ditch)Rebel Rebellion Ryan Mahon 33/1Pulled up
28 (ditch)Portrait King Davy Condon 50/1Fell
29Godsmejudge Wayne Hutchinson 18/1Pulled up
29Wyck Hill Tom Cannon 66/1Pulled up
29Bob Ford Paul Townend 50/1Pulled up

Broadcasting and media

They make the long run-in now, and Many Clouds still out in front by two or three lengths to Saint Are. Monbeg Dude still stays on, then Shutthefrontdoor. A furlong left to go, passing the elbow. Many Clouds by three lengths to Saint Are. Many Clouds is getting tired. Saint Are stays on down the outside. Many Clouds by two lengths, by a length and a half! Here comes the line, it's Leighton Aspell! Back to back Grand Nationals, he wins on Many Clouds! Many Clouds has won the National.

Channel 4 lead commentator Simon Holt describes the climax of the race.

With Clare Balding unavailable to present Channel 4's coverage, due to her BBC commitments as The Boat Race was unusually held on the same day, Nick Luck therefore led the coverage, being the first male lead presenter of the race since 1999. [11] Luck's usual role of anchoring the event from the trackside studio was filled by Emma Spencer, supported by Jim McGrath and Graham Cunningham. Reports were provided by Mick Fitzgerald and Alice Plunkett and betting updates by Tanya Stevenson and Brian Gleeson. To broaden the scope of its coverage, flat racing jockey Frankie Dettori joined the team as a guest reporter for race day and more emphasis was placed on style and fashion of racegoers and celebrities, with fashion expert Gok Wan presenting segments on both race day and the preceding 'Ladies Day' on the festival meeting. [12]

The commentary team was by Richard Hoiles, Ian Bartlett and Simon Holt, who called the winner home for the third time. Following the race, Spencer, Fitzgerald and Hoiles guided viewers on a fence-by-fence analysis of the race. [12]

Further Channel 4 programming in the build-up to the race included special editions of chatshow Alan Carr: Chatty Man and Sunday Brunch, the latter being shown under the title of Weekend Brunch, with segments of the programme coming direct from Aintree. [12]

The BBC continued an unbroken run of 83 consecutive renewals of the race to be broadcast live on radio, dating back to 1927. The race was part of its 5 Live Sport broadcast, presented by Mark Pougatch with pre-race build-up from former National riders Andrew Thornton and Luke Harvey. Cornelius Lysaght interviewed connections in the ring and Rob Nothman provided market updates. The commentary team for the race itself was Malcolm Tomlinson, Darren Owen, Gary O'Brien and John Hunt, who called the finish. [13]

See also

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References

  1. "Order of Running". The Crabbies Grand National. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  2. "Grand National 2015: Horses, owners and trainers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  3. "Carlingford Lough and Lord Windermere top weights for 2015 Crabbie's Grand National". The Crabbies Grand National. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  4. "Ruby Walsh to the rescue after Balthazar King's Grand National fall". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  5. "Grand National 2015: Balthazar King 'steady' after breaking ribs". BBC. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  6. Wright, Chris (8 April 2015). "AP McCoy on first Grand National memories, his involvement at Aintree and more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  7. Tyers, Alan (12 April 2015). "Grand National 2015 winner and results: Many Clouds triumphs at Aintree". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  8. "Grand National 2015: as it happened". BBC Sport. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  9. "Many Clouds gives Leighton Aspell back-to-back Grand National wins". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  10. "Results From The 4.15 Race at Aintree | 11 April 2015". Racing Post. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  11. "Channel 4 Racing confirms Nick Luck will anchor Grand National broadcast". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 Grand National (TV production). Channel 4. 11 April 2015.
  13. Grand National 2015 (TV production). BBC. 11 April 2015.