Grand National Result: Neptune Collonges claims dramatic win

Results & Reviews / Timeform / 14 April 2012 / 1

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Neptune Collonges wins the Grand National.

"I was on a tough horse and I said to Paul that one day I would ride you a National winner..."

Neptune Collonges gave champion trainer Paul Nicholls his first Grand National winner when getting up on the line to beat Sunnyhillboy in an incident-packed race at Aintree...

Ridden by Daryl Jacob, Neptune Collonges looked booked for minor honours rounding the famous Elbow, with Jonjo O'Neill's Sunnyhillboy holding a clear lead.

But as the line approached, the grey Neptune Collonges lunged late to land the honours by a nose.

There were anxious moments before the start of the race as Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Synchronised unshipped AP McCoy and ran loose for a short period.

The partnership was back intact before the off, but the pair only made it as far as Becher's Brook, the sixth fence, and, sadly, it has been reported that Synchronised was one of two horses, along with According To Pete, who lost their life during or after the race.

Katie Walsh had every chance of becoming the first female winner of the race soon after the turn for home, having had a great spin off Seabass, but he did not finish off his race as well as the first two and had to make do with an honourable third.

Richie McLernon looked to have the race won on Sunnyhillboy, winner of the Kim Muir Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival, but the pair were denied in the final stride.

Cappa Bleu was a gallant fourth.

A clearly overcome Jacob said: "You can't beat this.

"I was on a tough horse and I said to Paul that one day I would ride you a National winner.

"That was two years ago and now I've done it."

Paul Nicholls said: "He's probably the best horse we've run in the race.

"He's got great form, he's been placed in Gold Cups, he stays, he's genuine and Daryl gave him a fantastic ride when you analyse where he went. It's absolutely brilliant.

"It's blown Nicky Henderson out of the water now (in the trainers' championship).

"Any good race would do, but this is the race we wanted."

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The good and the great | 14 April 2012

I said at the time after SYNCHRONISED dumped mccoy and then when he showed him the first fence it was evident the horse was unhappy and was backing off - mccoy should have known better and not run him - Paddy Brenan knew his horse was not travelling well after being bumped by other horses and pulled him up.