The race was won by Noble Yeats, trained by Emmet Mullins and ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen, with final odds at 50/1.[3] Waley-Cohen became the first amateur jockey to win the Grand National since Marcus Armytage on Mr Frisk in 1990,[4] while Noble Yeats became the first seven year old to win the race since Bogskar in 1940.[5] The race was Waley-Cohen's last race before retirement.[6][7]
Race card
The 40 runners were finalised at 1pm on Friday 8 April. Three horses declared to run at Thursday's 48-hour declaration stage (Easysland, Lord Du Mesnil and Phoenix Way) were withdrawn before the Friday confirmation, with reserves Commodore, Romain De Seman and School Boy Hours taking their places and racecard numbers.[8] Horses trained in Ireland made up 21 of the 40 runners, the first time more than half the Grand National field were Irish-trained.[9]
Only 29 fences were jumped; what would normally have been fence 19 was bypassed, as medical staff were tending to a horse that had fallen on the first circuit.
Broadcasting and media
"Any Second Now and Noble Yeats land over the last in the National. Noble Yeats on the far side for Sam Waley-Cohen, Any Second Now for Mark Walsh. The two of them race towards the elbow., Delta Work and Santini for the places. As they race inside the final 150 yards, Noble Yeats, Sam Waley-Cohen on his last ride, trying to repel Any Second Now, and he eked out a length advantage! Noble Yeats on the run to the line for the Waley-Cohen's, Any Second Now, Delta Work and Santini, but up towards the line. What a way to go out! Sam Waley-Cohen and Noble Yeats for Emmet Mullins won the National!"
ITV lead commentator Richard Hoiles describes the climax of the race.[14]
The ITV coverage was presented by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani. Analysis was provided by former Grand National-winning jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Ruby Walsh.[16] Reports were provided by Alice Plunkett, Luke Harvey and Matt Chapman, and betting updates were provided by Brian Gleeson. Oli Bell and Chris Hughes covered viewers' comments on social media. The commentary team was Mark Johnson, Ian Bartlett and Richard Hoiles, who called the finish for the fifth time. Following the race, Bell and Walsh guided viewers on a fence-by-fence re-run of the race.[16]
Equine fatalities
Discorama and Eclair Surf were euthanised following injuries sustained in the race. Discorama was euthanised after being pulled up with an injury before the 13th fence; the horse was reported as lame and on Saturday evening trainer Paul Nolan confirmed the horse had been euthanised. Eclair Surf suffered a "traumatic head injury" after falling at the third fence; it was treated on track and at Liverpool University before dying the following morning.[17][18][19]
Two other horses had died earlier at the meeting. Solwara One, who ran in the 1.45pm race on 8 April, was the first to be put down following an injury[20] before Elle Est Belle suffered a suspected heart attack, when finishing fourth in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle on 9 April, before the main race.[21]