Tiger Roll became the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals since the legendary Red Rum after romping to victory at Aintree on Saturday.
Davy Russell’s mount went off at 4-1, the hottest favourite in years, and stayed in midfield until the last few fences before strolling home by three lengths to send the crowd into raptures.
Magic of Light, a 66-1 shot, finished as runner-up and Rathvinden, the second favourite which led for much of the race, came third.
Grand National 2019 result – in full
1st: Tiger Roll
2nd: Magic of Light
3rd: Rathvinden
4th: Walk In The Mill
5th: Anibale Fly
6th: One For Arthur
7th: Regal Encore
8th: Singlefarmpayment
9th: Outlander
10th: Valseur Lido
11th: Livelovelaugh
12th: A Toi Phil
13th: Bless The Wings
14th: Ultragold
15th: Vieux Lion Rouge
16th: Captain Redbeard
17th: Folsom Blue
18th: Valtor
19th: Don Poli
Did not finish: Mala Beach, Pleasant Company, Up For Review, Joe Farrell, Lake View Lad, Noble Endeavour, Dounikos, Rock The Kasbah, Ramses De Teillee, Monbeg Notorious, Just A Par, Blow By Blow, Jury Duty, Vintage Clouds, Ballyoptic, Tea For Two, Step Back, Minella Rocco, Go Conquer, Warriors Tale, General Principle
It is 46 years since Red Rum claimed the first of his three victories in the world’s most famous steeplechase – successfully defending his crown in 1974 before adding a third in 1977.
‘Wow’
“I can’t believe it,” said jockey Russell, who also rode the horse last year.
“At my age now to win two Grand Nationals… wow.
“Gordon [Elliott, trainer] has been so good to me over my career. What can I say?”
Winning owner Michael O’Leary said: “It’s unbelievable. It’s a phenomenal training performance by Gordon. It’s brilliant that he keeps bringing this horse back at Cheltenham better than ever and Aintree better than ever.
“And what a ride by Davy – fantastic. It’s unbelievable, to win two Grand Nationals is just incredible.
“It’s a great result for the punters as well.”
Peerless Tiger
For much of the way it looked like Ruby Walsh might seal his third National success as his mount Rathvinden raced and jumped with zest on the front end, along with stablemate and last year’s narrowly beaten runner-up Pleasant Company.
However, Tiger Roll was always in their slipstream and it was clear on the run to the final fence that barring accidents he would seal victory, with Russell still motionless in the saddle.
Jessica Harrington’s mare Magic Of Light attempted to chase him down, but Tiger Roll was not for catching and passed the post comfortably ahead.
It was a third National success for Elliott – having first struck gold as a fledgling trainer with Silver Birch in 2007.
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