Noble Yeats has won this year’s Grand National – the first in front of a cheering crowd at Aintree for three years.
The seven-year-old 50-1 horse won out over two laps and 30 fences at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, leaving 15/2 favourite Any Second Now in second. Delta Work (10-1) was third and Santini (33-1) fourth.
It was a dream retirement ride for amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, 39, riding a horse owned by his father Robert Waley-Cohen and trained by Emmet Mullins – watched by stars and royalty, including the Duchess of Cornwall.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was present for the race
Last year’s winner Minella Times fell early in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
Noble Yeats was second-last at the first fence but over four and a quarter miles (6.4km) won out by about three lengths.
It is the first time a seven-year-old horse has won the National since 1940.
Sam Waley-Cohen celebrates on Noble Yeats after winning the Grand National
Talking to ITV Racing, Waley-Cohen, who works full-time as a dentist, said: “It’s a dream. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve got to say thank you, as it’s my last ever ride, to my dad, for unwavering belief and love.
“Over 23 years and never a cross word, never been anything but a dream. It’s been a love affair. To my wife, long-suffering, they aren’t all good days, there are bad days in this sport,” he added.
Robert Waley-Cohen, the owner, and father of the jockey, said: “It’s a dream come true. I can’t speak, I shouted too much!
“You can’t go round without the horse but the horse can’t get round without the jockey. Sam used to ride the National on his rocking horse, that’s how far back it goes!” the father joked.
It was the first Grand National runner for trainer Emmet Mullins, who said: “There was a long term plan and it seems to have come off.
“A month ago we were probably more confident but the more it went on, other people’s chances were being talked up and we went a bit cold. But we knew the form was there,” Mr Mullins added.