The 2018 Grand National (officially known as the Randox Health 2018 Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 171st annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase was the pinnacle of a three-day festival which commenced on 12 April 2018.[1] The event was sponsored by Randox Health for the second time.[2]
| Grand National | |
  | |
| Location | Aintree Racecourse |
|---|---|
| Date | 14 April 2018 |
| Winning horse |  Tiger Roll |
| Starting price | 10/1 |
| Jockey | Davy Russell |
| Trainer | Gordon Elliott |
| Owner | Gigginstown House Stud |
| Conditions | Heavy |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Full replay of the 2018 Grand National Racing TV, YouTube |
The race was won by 10/1 shot Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell, in a photo finish from Pleasant Company. All 38 runners returned to the stables, although Saint Are required veterinary attention on the course and Charlie Deutsch, riding Houblon Des Obeaux, was treated on the track after a fall leading to Becher's Brook being bypassed on the second circuit.[3][4]
Race card
editFrom an initial 105 entries, the final field of 40 runners was declared on 13 April, after Minella Rocco, Vicente and Beeves were all withdrawn from the race and replaced by Thunder And Roses, Delusionofgrandeur and Walk In The Mill.[5] Two contenders, Regal Encore and Walk In The Mill a day after securing its position in the race, were withdrawn on the morning of the race, leaving 38 starters,[6] the smallest field since 1999.
2018 also marked the first National for 30 years to feature three female jockeys in the line-up.[7] 2012 third-placed jockey Katie Walsh paired Baie Des Iles for her sixth ride in the race, whilst Rachael Blackmore and Bryony Frost were both handed their first National rides on Alpha Des Obeaux and Milansbar respectively.
| No | Horse | Age | Handicap (st–lb) |
SP | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thunder And Roses* (IRE) | 10 | 10-05 | 33/1 | James Slevin | Mouse Morris |
| 2 | Blaklion | 9 | 11-10 | 14/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 3 | Anibale Fly (FR) | 8 | 11-08 | 10/1 | Barry Geraghty | Tony Martin (IRE) |
| 4 | The Last Samuri (IRE) | 10 | 11-08 | 20/1 | David Bass | Kim Bailey |
| 5 | Valseur Lido (FR) | 9 | 11-07 | 66/1 | Keith Donoghue | Henry de Bromhead (IRE) |
| 6 | Total Recall (IRE) | 9 | 11-05 | 7/1 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 7 | Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) | 8 | 11-04 | 33/1 | Rachael Blackmore | Mouse Morris (IRE) |
| 8 | Perfect Candidate (IRE) | 11 | 11-03 | 40/1 | Alain Cawley | Fergal O'Brien |
| 9 | Shantou Flyer (IRE) | 8 | 11-02 | 25/1 | James Bowen | Richard Hobson |
| 10 | Tenor Nivernais (FR) | 11 | 11-01 | 66/1 | Tom O'Brien | Venetia Williams |
| 11 | Carlingford Lough (IRE) | 12 | 11-01 | 33/1 | Mark Walsh | John Kiely (IRE) |
| 12 | Delusionofgrandeur* (IRE) | 8 | 10-05 | 50/1 | Henry Brooke | Sue Smith |
| 13 | Tiger Roll (IRE) | 8 | 10-13 | 10/1 | Davy Russell | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 15 | Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) | 9 | 10-13 | 25/1 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 16 | Chase The Spud | 10 | 10-12 | 25/1 | Paddy Brennan | Fergal O'Brien |
| 17 | Warriors Tale | 9 | 10-12 | 28/1 | Sean Bowen | Paul Nicholls |
| 18 | Seeyouatmidnight | 10 | 10-12 | 11/1 | Brian Hughes | Sandy Thomson |
| 19 | Gas Line Boy (IRE) | 12 | 10-11 | 25/1 | Robbie Dunne | Ian Williams |
| 20 | The Dutchman (IRE) | 8 | 10-11 | 25/1 | Harry Cobden | Colin Tizzard |
| 21 | Pleasant Company (IRE) | 10 | 10-11 | 25/1 | David Mullins | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 22 | Ucello Conti (FR) | 10 | 10-10 | 16/1 | Daryl Jacob | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 23 | Saint Are (FR) | 12 | 10-10 | 50/1 | Ciaran Gethings | Tom George |
| 25 | Raz De Maree (FR) | 13 | 10-09 | 20/1 | Robbie Power | Gavin Cromwell (IRE) |
| 26 | I Just Know (IRE) | 8 | 10-08 | 16/1 | Danny Cook | Sue Smith |
| 27 | Virgilio (FR) | 9 | 10-08 | 66/1 | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 28 | Baie Des Iles (FR) | 7 | 10-08 | 16/1 | Katie Walsh[a] | Ross O'Sullivan (IRE) |
| 29 | Maggio (FR) | 13 | 10-08 | 66/1 | Brendan Powell | Patrick Griffin (IRE) |
| 30 | Pendra (IRE) | 10 | 10-08 | 40/1 | Aidan Coleman | Charlie Longsdon |
| 31 | Buywise (IRE) | 11 | 10-08 | 40/1 | Adam Wedge | Evan Williams |
| 32 | Childrens List (IRE) | 8 | 10-08 | 40/1 | Jonathan Burke | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 33 | Lord Windermere (IRE) | 12 | 10-07 | 50/1 | Andrew Lynch | Jim Culloty (IRE) |
| 34 | Captain Redbeard (IRE) | 9 | 10-07 | 20/1 | Sam Coltherd | Stuart Coltherd |
| 35 | Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) | 11 | 10-07 | 33/1 | Charlie Deutsch | Venetia Williams |
| 36 | Bless The Wings (IRE) | 13 | 10-06 | 40/1 | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 37 | Milansbar (IRE) | 11 | 10-06 | 25/1 | Bryony Frost | Neil King |
| 38 | Final Nudge (IRE) | 9 | 10-06 | 33/1 | Gavin Sheehan | David Dennis |
| 39 | Double Ross (IRE) | 12 | 10-06 | 40/1 | Jamie Bargary | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 40 | Road To Riches (IRE) | 11 | 10-05 | 40/1 | Sean Flanagan | Noel Meade (IRE) |
- Great Britain unless stated.
- Horses 1 & 12 were late replacements
- ^ amateur rider
Race overview
edit 
The first fence claimed Perfect Candidate who in turn brought down one of the favourites, Blaklion. I Just Know led the field until falling at Becher's Brook, which also saw Houblon Des Obleaux and Virgilio out of the race. Houblon Des Obeaux's jockey Charlie Deutsch was treated for injuries at the scene, resulting in Becher's being bypassed on the second circuit. Captain Redbeard unseated its rider at the Foinavon fence as Ucello Conti led the field from Double Ross, with The Dutchman, Milansbar and Pleasant Company also prominent. The Canal Turn saw the end of Lord Windermere, Buywise and Final Nudge. Chase The Spud pulled up before The Chair, which claimed Alpha Des Obeaux and Saint Are.[8]
Delusionsofgrandeur and Maggio were pulled up at the beginning of the second circuit, and The Dutchman unseated its rider at Foinavon as Pleasant Company took over the lead. Ucello Conti lost its rider three fences from home, while Seeyouatmidnight challenged Pleasant Company for the lead. Tiger Roll made its move and hit the lead on the 29th fence. On the run-in, Pleasant Company fought back and almost caught Tiger Roll, losing by a head.[9]
There were no fatalities, although Saint Are was treated by veterinarians after being brought down at The Chair. A few days later, Saint Are's retirement from racing was announced.[10] Jockey Charlie Deutsch was kicked in the back by a horse following his fall at Becher's Brook,[11] but recovered and rode a winner at Plumpton the following day.[12]
Finishing order
editTwelve runners completed the course as follows:[13]
| Position | Horse | Jockey | SP | Distance | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger Roll | Davy Russell | 10/1 | Head | £500,000 |
| 2 | Pleasant Company | David Mullins | 25/1 | 11 lengths | £200,000 |
| 3 | Bless The Wings | Jack Kennedy | 40/1 | Neck | £100,000 |
| 4 | Anibale Fly | Barry Geraghty | 10/1 | 21 lengths | £65,000 |
| 5 | Milansbar | Bryony Frost | 25/1 | 12 lengths | £40,000 |
| 6 | Road to Riches | Sean Flanagan | 33/1 | 7 lengths | £30,000 |
| 7 | Gas Line Boy | Robert Dunne | 25/1 | 4 lengths | £20,000 |
| 8 | Valseur Lido | Keith Donoghue | 66/1 | 3⁄4 length | £15,000 |
| 9 | Vieux Lion Rouge | Tom Scudamore | 25/1 | 3⁄4 length | £10,000 |
| 10 | Raz De Maree | Robbie Power | 20/1 | 29 lengths | £5,000 |
| 11 | Seeyouatmidnight | Brian Hughes | 11/1 | 2+3⁄4 lengths | |
| 12 | Baie Des Iles | Katie Walsh | 16/1 | Last to complete |
- Distance measures from smallest to largest winning margin: nose, short head, head, neck, one length, a distance.
Non-finishers
editThe runners who failed to complete were as follows:[13]
| Fence | Horse | Jockey | SP | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Perfect Candidate | Alain Cawley | 50/1 | Fell |
| 1st | Blaklion | Sam Twiston-Davies | 14/1 | Brought down |
| 6th (Becher's Brook) | I Just Know | Danny Cook | 14/1 | Fell |
| Houblon Des Obeaux | Charlie Deutsch | 25/1 | Fell | |
| Virgilio | Harry Skelton | 50/1 | Fell | |
| 7th (Foinavon) | Captain Redbeard | Sam Coltherd | 20/1 | Unseated rider |
| 8th (Canal Turn) | Lord Windermere | Andrew Lynch | 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| Buywise | Adam Wedge | 50/1 | Unseated rider | |
| Final Nudge | Gavin Sheehan | 33/1 | Fell | |
| 15th (The Chair) | Chase The Spud | Paddy Brennan | 25/1 | Pulled up |
| Alpha Des Obeaux | Rachael Blackmore | 33/1 | Fell | |
| Saint Are | Ciaran Gethings | 50/1 | Brought down | |
| 17th | Delusionofgrandeur | Henry Brooke | 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 18th | Maggio | Brendan Powell | 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 23rd (Foinavon) | The Dutchman | Harry Cobden | 20/1 | Unseated rider |
| 26th | Thunder And Roses | James Slevin | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| The Last Samuri | David Bass | 16/1 | Pulled up | |
| Tenor Nivernais | Tom O'Brien | 66/1 | Pulled up | |
| Shantou Flyer | James Bowen | 20/1 | Pulled up | |
| 27th (open ditch) | Ucello Conti | Daryl Jacob | 16/1 | Unseated rider |
| 29th | Total Recall | Paul Townend | 7/1 F | Pulled up |
| Warriors Tale | Sean Bowen | 33/1 | Pulled up | |
| Pendra | Aidan Coleman | 80/1 | Pulled up | |
| Double Ross | Jamie Bargary | 66/1 | Pulled up | |
| Run-in | Carlingford Lough | Mark Walsh | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| Childrens List | Jonathan Burke | 66/1 | Pulled up |
Broadcasting and media
editTiger Roll is over in front, and is trying now to stream away. Pleasant Company in second, Bless The Wings and Anibale Fly in an Irish clean sweep. And it's Tiger Roll who is in full cry, leading by 5 lengths towards the Elbow Plesant Company in second, Bless The Wings and Anibale Fly. Towards the final two hundred yards, the diminutive Tiger Roll senses a place in history, Pleasant Company in second, Bless The Wings and Anibale Fly. They're finishing well strung out, but it's Tiger Roll for Gordon Elliott and is the long wait for a National winner about to end for Davy Russell? Pleasent Company's coming back, Tiger Roll hanging on, Just may have lasted.
As the Grand National is accorded the status of an event of national interest in the United Kingdom and is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events, it must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. The race was broadcast live on TV by ITV, in the second year of its four-year deal as the exclusive terrestrial broadcaster of horse racing in the UK.[14]
The coverage was co-anchored by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani. Analysis was provided by former Grand National winning jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Ruby Walsh, the latter having been ruled out the Aintree meeting through injury. Reports were provided by Oli Bell, Alice Plunkett and Luke Harvey with updates from the betting ring by Matt Chapman and Brian Gleeson. The commentary team was Mark Johnson, Ian Bartlett and Richard Hoiles.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Grand National 2018: What date is the race, what TV channel is it on and when is the running list announced?". The Telegraph. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ Chris Clark (8 March 2016). "Grand National sponsored by Randox Health in five-year deal from 2017". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- ^ "Tiger Roll edges out Pleasant Company in Grand National". Sporting Life. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "Tiger Roll wins Grand National thriller". TheNews. Retrieved 15 April 2018..
- ^ "Grand National 2018: Quick guide to the big Aintree race". BBC. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "Duo Regal Encore and Walk In The Mill miss Grand National". Sky Sports. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Frank Keogh (14 April 2018). "Grand National 2018: Aintree ready for big race as three female jockeys seek history". BBC. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "Grand National: Tiger Roll lands thrilling photo-finish victory at Aintree". BBC Sport. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Grand National 2018: Tiger Roll wins in dramatic finish – as it happened". Guardian. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ Sky Sports,Saint Are retirement confirmed, 16 April 2018
- ^ Jack de Menezes (14 April 2018). "Grand National 2018: One horse killed over three-day Aintree meeting as Peta hit out at ITV for showing race". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Lucy Elder (17 April 2018). "Grand National jockey has wrist slapped for directing runners around fallen rider". Horse and Hound. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ "ITV to replace Channel 4 as horse racing broadcaster from 2017". BBC Sport. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ "Watch the Grand National Festival live on ITV". itv.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.