2018 Grand National

Last updated

2018 Grand National
Grand National
2018 Grand National logo.jpeg
Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg
Location Aintree Racecourse
Date14 April 2018
Winning horse Flag of Ireland.svg Tiger Roll
Starting price 1010 10/1
Jockey Flag of Ireland.svg Davy Russell
Trainer Flag of Ireland.svg Gordon Elliott
Owner Flag of Ireland.svg Gigginstown House Stud
Conditions Heavy
  2017
2019  
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Full replay of the 2018 Grand National Racing TV, YouTube

The 2018 Grand National (officially known as the Randox Health 2018 Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 171st annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase was the pinnacle of a three-day festival which commenced on 12 April 2018. [1] The event was sponsored by Randox Health for the second time. [2]

Contents

The race was won by 10/1 shot Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell, in a photo finish from Pleasant Company. All 38 runners returned to the stables, although Saint Are required veterinary attention on the course and Charlie Deutsch, riding Houblon Des Obeaux, was treated on the track after a fall leading to Becher's Brook being bypassed on the second circuit. [3] [4]

Race card

From an initial 105 entries, the final field of 40 runners was declared on 13 April, after Minella Rocco, Vicente and Beeves were all withdrawn from the race and replaced by Thunder And Roses, Delusionofgrandeur and Walk In The Mill. [5] Two contenders, Regal Encore and Walk In The Mill a day after securing its position in the race, were withdrawn on the morning of the race, leaving 38 starters, [6] the smallest field since 1999.

2018 also marked the first National for 30 years to feature three female jockeys in the line-up. [7] 2012 third-placed jockey Katie Walsh paired Baie Des Iles for her sixth ride in the race, whilst Rachael Blackmore and Bryony Frost were both handed their first National rides on Alpha Des Obeaux and Milansbar respectively.

NoHorseAgeHandicap
(stlb)
SP Jockey Trainer
1Thunder And Roses* (IRE)1010-0533/1James SlevinMouse Morris
2 Blaklion 911-1014/1 Sam Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies
3Anibale Fly (FR)811-0810/1 Barry Geraghty Tony Martin (IRE)
4The Last Samuri (IRE)1011-0820/1David BassKim Bailey
5Valseur Lido (FR)911-0766/1 Keith Donoghue Henry de Bromhead (IRE)
6Total Recall (IRE)911-057/1 Paul Townend Willie Mullins (IRE)
7Alpha Des Obeaux (FR)811-0433/1 Rachael Blackmore Mouse Morris (IRE)
8Perfect Candidate (IRE)1111-0340/1Alain Cawley Fergal O'Brien
9Shantou Flyer (IRE)811-0225/1James BowenRichard Hobson
10Tenor Nivernais (FR)1111-0166/1 Tom O'Brien Venetia Williams
11Carlingford Lough (IRE)1211-0133/1 Mark Walsh John Kiely (IRE)
12Delusionofgrandeur* (IRE)810-0550/1Henry BrookeSue Smith
13 Tiger Roll (IRE)810-1310/1 Davy Russell Gordon Elliott (IRE)
15Vieux Lion Rouge (FR)910-1325/1 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
16Chase The Spud1010-1225/1 Paddy Brennan Fergal O'Brien
17Warriors Tale910-1228/1 Sean Bowen Paul Nicholls
18Seeyouatmidnight1010-1211/1 Brian Hughes Sandy Thomson
19Gas Line Boy (IRE)1210-1125/1Robbie DunneIan Williams
20The Dutchman (IRE)810-1125/1 Harry Cobden Colin Tizzard
21Pleasant Company (IRE)1010-1125/1 David Mullins Willie Mullins (IRE)
22Ucello Conti (FR)1010-1016/1 Daryl Jacob Gordon Elliott (IRE)
23Saint Are (FR)1210-1050/1Ciaran GethingsTom George
25Raz De Maree (FR)1310-0920/1 Robbie Power Gavin Cromwell (IRE)
26I Just Know (IRE)810-0816/1Danny Cook Sue Smith
27Virgilio (FR)910-0866/1Harry SkeltonDan Skelton
28Baie Des Iles (FR)710-0816/1 Katie Walsh [a] Ross O'Sullivan (IRE)
29Maggio (FR)1310-0866/1Brendan PowellPatrick Griffin (IRE)
30Pendra (IRE)1010-0840/1 Aidan Coleman Charlie Longsdon
31Buywise (IRE)1110-0840/1Adam WedgeEvan Williams
32Childrens List (IRE)810-0840/1Jonathan BurkeWillie Mullins (IRE)
33 Lord Windermere (IRE)1210-0750/1 Andrew Lynch Jim Culloty (IRE)
34Captain Redbeard (IRE)910-0720/1Sam ColtherdStuart Coltherd
35Houblon Des Obeaux (FR)1110-0733/1Charlie DeutschVenetia Williams
36Bless The Wings (IRE)1310-0640/1 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott (IRE)
37Milansbar (IRE)1110-0625/1 Bryony Frost Neil King
38Final Nudge (IRE)910-0633/1Gavin SheehanDavid Dennis
39Double Ross (IRE)1210-0640/1Jamie BargaryNigel Twiston-Davies
40Road To Riches (IRE)1110-0540/1Sean Flanagan Noel Meade (IRE)
  1. amateur rider

Race overview

Placed horses
Owner Gigginstown House Stud.svg
1: Tiger Roll
Owner Mr Malcolm C Denmark.svg
2: Pleasant Company
Owner Mr Adrian Butler.svg
3: Bless The Wings
Owner Mr John P McManus.svg
4: Anibale Fly

The first fence claimed Perfect Candidate who in turn brought down one of the favourites, Blaklion. I Just Know led the field until falling at Becher's Brook, which also saw Houblon Des Obleaux and Virgilio out of the race. Houblon Des Obeaux's jockey Charlie Deutsch was treated for injuries at the scene, resulting in Becher's being bypassed on the second circuit. Captain Redbeard unseated its rider at the Foinavon fence as Ucello Conti led the field from Double Ross, with The Dutchman, Milansbar and Pleasant Company also prominent. The Canal Turn saw the end of Lord Windermere, Buywise and Final Nudge. Chase The Spud pulled up before The Chair, which claimed Alpha Des Obeaux and Saint Are. [8]

Delusionsofgrandeur and Maggio were pulled up at the beginning of the second circuit, and The Dutchman unseated its rider at Foinavon as Pleasant Company took over the lead. Ucello Conti lost its rider three fences from home, while Seeyouatmidnight challenged Pleasant Company for the lead. Tiger Roll made its move and hit the lead on the 29th fence. On the run-in, Pleasant Company fought back and almost caught Tiger Roll, losing by a head. [9]

There were no fatalities, although Saint Are was treated by veterinarians after being brought down at The Chair. A few days later, Saint Are's retirement from racing was announced. [10] Jockey Charlie Deutsch was kicked in the back by a horse following his fall at Becher's Brook, [11] but recovered and rode a winner at Plumpton the following day. [12]

Finishing order

Twelve runners completed the course as follows: [13]

PositionHorse Jockey SP DistancePrize money
1 Tiger Roll Davy Russell 10/1Head£500,000
2Pleasant Company David Mullins 25/111 lengths £200,000
3Bless The Wings Jack Kennedy 40/1Neck£100,000
4Anibale Fly Barry Geraghty 10/121 lengths£65,000
5Milansbar Bryony Frost 25/112 lengths£40,000
6Road to RichesSean Flanagan33/17 lengths£30,000
7Gas Line BoyRobert Dunne25/14 lengths£20,000
8Valseur Lido Keith Donoghue 66/134 length£15,000
9Vieux Lion Rouge Tom Scudamore 25/134 length£10,000
10Raz De Maree Robbie Power 20/129 lengths£5,000
11Seeyouatmidnight Brian Hughes 11/12+34 lengths
12Baie Des Iles Katie Walsh 16/1Last to complete

Non-finishers

The runners who failed to complete were as follows: [13]

FenceHorse Jockey SP Fate
1stPerfect CandidateAlain Cawley50/1Fell
1st Blaklion Sam Twiston-Davies 14/1Brought down
6th (Becher's Brook)I Just KnowDanny Cook14/1Fell
Houblon Des ObeauxCharlie Deutsch25/1Fell
Virgilio Harry Skelton 50/1Fell
7th (Foinavon)Captain RedbeardSam Coltherd20/1Unseated rider
8th (Canal Turn) Lord Windermere Andrew Lynch 50/1Unseated rider
BuywiseAdam Wedge50/1Unseated rider
Final NudgeGavin Sheehan33/1Fell
15th (The Chair)Chase The Spud Paddy Brennan 25/1Pulled up
Alpha Des Obeaux Rachael Blackmore 33/1Fell
Saint AreCiaran Gethings50/1Brought down
17thDelusionofgrandeurHenry Brooke50/1Pulled up
18thMaggioBrendan Powell66/1Pulled up
23rd (Foinavon)The Dutchman Harry Cobden 20/1Unseated rider
26thThunder And RosesJames Slevin33/1Pulled up
The Last SamuriDavid Bass16/1Pulled up
Tenor Nivernais Tom O'Brien 66/1Pulled up
Shantou FlyerJames Bowen20/1Pulled up
27th (open ditch)Ucello Conti Daryl Jacob 16/1Unseated rider
29thTotal Recall Paul Townend 7/1 FPulled up
Warriors Tale Sean Bowen 33/1Pulled up
Pendra Aidan Coleman 80/1Pulled up
Double RossJamie Bargary66/1Pulled up
Run-inCarlingford Lough Mark Walsh 33/1Pulled up
Childrens ListJonathan Burke66/1Pulled up

Broadcasting and media

Tiger Roll is over in front, and is trying now to stream away. Pleasant Company in second, Bless The Wings and Anibale Fly in an Irish clean sweep. And it's Tiger Roll who is in full cry, leading by 5 lengths towards the Elbow Plesant Company in second, Bless The Wings and Anibale Fly. Towards the final two hundred yards, the diminutive Tiger Roll senses a place in history, Pleasant Company in second, Bless The Wings and Anibale Fly. They're finishing well strung out, but it's Tiger Roll for Gordon Elliott and is the long wait for a National winner about to end for Davy Russell? Pleasent Company's coming back, Tiger Roll hanging on, Just may have lasted.

ITV lead commentator Richard Hoiles describes the climax of the race.

As the Grand National is accorded the status of an event of national interest in the United Kingdom and is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events, it must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. The race was broadcast live on TV by ITV, in the second year of its four-year deal as the exclusive terrestrial broadcaster of horse racing in the UK. [14]

The coverage was co-anchored by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani. Analysis was provided by former Grand National winning jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Ruby Walsh, the latter having been ruled out the Aintree meeting through injury. Reports were provided by Oli Bell, Alice Plunkett and Luke Harvey with updates from the betting ring by Matt Chapman and Brian Gleeson. The commentary team was Mark Johnson, Ian Bartlett and Richard Hoiles. [15]

See also

References

  1. "Grand National 2018: What date is the race, what TV channel is it on and when is the running list announced?". The Telegraph. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  2. Chris Clark (8 March 2016). "Grand National sponsored by Randox Health in five-year deal from 2017". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  3. "Tiger Roll edges out Pleasant Company in Grand National". Sporting Life. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  4. "Tiger Roll wins Grand National thriller". TheNews. Retrieved 15 April 2018..
  5. "Grand National 2018: Quick guide to the big Aintree race". BBC. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  6. "Duo Regal Encore and Walk In The Mill miss Grand National". Sky Sports. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  7. Frank Keogh (14 April 2018). "Grand National 2018: Aintree ready for big race as three female jockeys seek history". BBC. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  8. "Grand National: Tiger Roll lands thrilling photo-finish victory at Aintree". BBC Sport. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  9. "Grand National 2018: Tiger Roll wins in dramatic finish – as it happened". Guardian. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  10. Sky Sports,Saint Are retirement confirmed, 16 April 2018
  11. Jack de Menezes (14 April 2018). "Grand National 2018: One horse killed over three-day Aintree meeting as Peta hit out at ITV for showing race" . The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  12. Lucy Elder (17 April 2018). "Grand National jockey has wrist slapped for directing runners around fallen rider". Horse and Hound . Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  13. 1 2 "Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  14. "ITV to replace Channel 4 as horse racing broadcaster from 2017". BBC Sport. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  15. "Watch the Grand National Festival live on ITV". itv.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.