Tony McCoy finally won the John Smith’s Grand National as Don’t Push It – his 15th ride in the race – provided the champion jockey with a famous win at Aintree.
Black Apalachi was prominent throughout but McCoy was always stalking him on the second circuit. As they jumped the last together, McCoy galvanised his mount to take up the running before the Elbow and the relief the record-breaking rider showed immediately afterwards was immense.
An almighty gamble in the minutes before the four-and-a-half-mile marathon saw the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It sent off the 10-1 joint-favourite along with Big Fella Thanks, with the latter ridden by Barry Geraghty in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh.
Geraghty was another still going well approaching the second-last, along with 17-year-old Sam Twiston-Davies on Hello Bud.
But Black Apalachi and Don’t Push It pulled clear and it was McCoy who took the plaudits as he won by five lengths.
State Of Play went one better than last year to stay on for third, with Big Fella Thanks fourth and Hello Bud fifth.
Legendary owner-gambler JP McManus had been trying to win the Aintree spectacular for years but his ambition finally came true.
Nina Carberry, attempting to become the first woman to win the race on Character Building, had a great spin round to finish seventh with Snowy Morning sixth to add to his good record in the race.
Last year’s winner Mon Mome still appeared to be going well when he fell at the 26th fence.
A tearful McCoy said: “I’m being a big wuss. It means everything to me to win the Grand National.
“I’ve won lots of big races and I’m supposed to be a good jockey, but to not win the Grand National would be a bit of a negative on the CV.
“I’m delighted for my mum and dad as they’ve been great for me throughout the years, and for my wife Chanelle and my daughter Eve, who is two and a half.
“Hopefully now she’ll be proud of me when she grows up.”
