Well what a race the 2011 Grand National was - full of incident and full of great efforts. Well done to Ballabriggs for winning in the style of an Aintree professional. He was given the most marvellous ride by Jason Maguire. The pull he took at the third was brave and he had a great recovery on the way too.
Trained by Donald McCain Jr this was a training performance out of the top drawer. Since he won at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival he was been earmarked as a National horse. Subsequently he only ran over hurdles to protect his handicap rating and it is fair to say the plan worked as another couple of pounds on his back would have had him beaten by Oscar Time who chased him home. McCain's father is of course the great Donald "Ginger" McCain who trained Red Rum to three victories and Amberleigh House to another so the family certainly know how to prepare one for the race.
Ballabriggs was owned by Trevor Hemmings who was enjoying his second victory in the race and was so delighted in interviews. Hemmings had always dreamt of winning the national and the self made Millionaire had his dream sown when working for Fred Pontin and his boss won the National in the seventies. After numerous runners in the race he had now won it twice. He also owns John Smiths the sponsor and it was fitting he won the race he has supported so resolutely.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winning amateur Sam Waley-Cohen was second on his father's recent purchase Oscar Time for trainer Martin Lynch. Horses really seem to run for Sam and his amateur status only hides the fact he makes his money as an astute businessman running dental practices. They were so delighted with the performance and his father Robert commented "it is strange to be so happy in defeat but we are delighted".
Last year's winner Don't Push It ran a courageous race in third under the Champion Jockey AP McCoy and sadly the weight just did for his chances. State Of Play was fourth and it was the third year in a row he had made the frame. It was some training performance by Evan Williams who was running the horse for the first time since the previous season's race. In total 19 horses finished and it was a terrific spectacle.
The post script to the race reads not so well in that two horses died in action. This is all over the UK press today but the two horses that died at the flat races and the other horse that died jumping yesterday do not get a mention. These papers that criticise the race because of fatalities will once again be fighting to cover the race again next year and this must not be forgotten. It is very sad but horses dying is a part of racing that happens on a daily basis whether on the course or at home.
Jockey Jason Maguire received a five day ban for overuse of the whip in the home straight. I personally did not feel he was over the top and if you are about to win the biggest race of your life it is not surprising a little bit of adrenalin kicks in. The horse finished exhausted and after being watered down and given water recovered adequately.
The race was a great race and although there was attrition it must not be forgotten that this is an extreme test of the horse. Something does give occasionaly as with any endurance event.
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