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2021 Grand National

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2021 Grand National
Grand National

LocationAintree
Date10 April 2021
Winning horseRepublic of Ireland Minella Times
Starting price11/1
JockeyRepublic of Ireland Rachael Blackmore
TrainerRepublic of Ireland Henry de Bromhead
OwnerRepublic of Ireland J. P. McManus
ConditionsGood to soft
2022 →
External videos
video icon Full replay of the 2021 Grand National Racing TV, YouTube

The 2021 Grand National (officially known as the Randox 2021 Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 173rd annual running of the Grand National horse race, held at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England,[1] on 10 April 2021. The event was once again sponsored by Randox Health, although the name on the race from this year onwards was shortened to simply "Randox". The total prize fund for the race was £750,000, down by £250,000 from the last meeting in 2019.

The race was won by Minella Times, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the Grand National.[2] De Bromhead, who won the race as a trainer for the first time, also trained the second-place finisher Balko des Flos. The winner was owned by J. P. McManus, who had previously won the race as an owner in 2010 with Don't Push It.[3] The Long Mile was euthanised after fracturing a hind leg. Jockey Bryony Frost was treated for injuries after falling from Yala Enki.[4]

Having been cancelled the year before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 race and entire festival meeting took place behind closed doors for the first time in its history, because of continuing restrictions. Despite speculations and calls from some leading figures in racing for the meeting to be pushed back in the calendar so that it could possibly take place when betting shops are open, it was confirmed the race would retain its original date.[5]

The death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was announced shortly before the second day of the meeting. The meeting continued as scheduled, with tributes including a two-minute silence before racing, jockeys wearing black armbands on their silks as a mark of respect and the Union Jack on the Queen Mother Stand being lowered to half-mast.[6]

Race card

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On 3 February 106 entries were announced. The early favourite in ante-post betting was the 2018 and 2019 winner Tiger Roll,[7] but he was withdrawn before the first scratching stage by the Gigginstown House Stud, citing excessive weight allocation. Cloth Cap was left as the favourite.[8][9]

No Horse Age Handicap
(stlb)
SP Jockey Trainer
1 Bristol De Mai 10 11–10 33/1 Daryl Jacob Nigel Twiston-Davies
2 Chris's Dream 9 11–7 80/1 D.J. O'Keeffe Henry de Bromhead
3 Yala Enki 11 11–3 50/1 Bryony Frost Paul Nicholls
4 Ballyoptic 11 11–1 125/1 Sam Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies
5 Definitly Red 12 11–1 66/1 Ryan Mania Brian Ellison
6 Lake View Lad 11 11–0 66/1 Brian Hughes N. W. Alexander
7 Burrows Saint 8 10–13 9/1 Mr. Patrick Mullins Willie Mullins
8 Magic Of Light 10 10–13 16/1 Robbie Power Jessica Harrington
9 Acapella Bourgeois 11 10–12 25/1 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins
10 Talkischeap 9 10–12 50/1 Tom Cannon Alan King
11 Tout Est Permis 8 10–12 150/1 Sean Flanagan Noel Meade
12 Anibale Fly 11 10–12 28/1 Denis O'Regan Tony Martin
13 Mister Malarky 8 10–12 14/1 Jonjo O'Neill Jnr Colin Tizzard
14 Kimberlite Candy 9 10–10 22/1 Richie McLernon Tom Lacey
15 Any Second Now 9 10–9 15/2 Mark Walsh Ted Walsh
16 Balko Des Flos 10 10–9 150/1 Aidan Coleman Henry de Bromhead
17 Alpha Des Obeaux 11 10–9 80/1 Jody McGarvey Denise Foster
18 Ok Corral 11 10–8 80/1 Mr. Derek O'Connor Nicky Henderson
19 Takingrisks 12 10–7 20/1 Sean Quinlan Nicky Richards
20 Shattered Love 10 10–7 40/1 Kevin Sexton Denise Foster
21 Jett 10 10–7 125/1 Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen Jessica Harrington
22 Lord Du Mesnil 8 10–6 66/1 Nick Scholfield Richard Hobson
23 Potters Corner 11 10–6 28/1 Jack Tudor Christian Williams
24 Class Conti 9 10–6 80/1 Brian Hayes Willie Mullins
25 Milan Native 8 10–6 40/1 Mr. Jamie Codd Denise Foster
26 Discorama 8 10–6 16/1 Bryan Cooper Paul Nolan
27 Vieux Lion Rouge 12 10–5 80/1 Conor O'Farrell David Pipe
28 Cloth Cap 9 10–5 11/2 F Tom Scudamore Jonjo O’Neill
29 Cabaret Queen 9 10–5 150/1 S.F. O'Keeffe Willie Mullins
30 Minellacelebration 11 10–5 80/1 Ben Poste Katy Price
31 Canelo 8 10–4 66/1 Tom Bellamy Alan King
32 The Long Mile 7 10–4 50/1 L.P. Dempsey J.P. Dempsey
33 Give Me A Copper 11 10–4 50/1 Sean Bowen Paul Nicholls
34 Farclas 7 10–3 16/1 Jack Kennedy Denise Foster
35 Minella Times 8 10–3 11/1 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead
36 Sub Lieutenant 12 10–3 80/1 Tabitha Worsley Georgie Howell
37 Hogan's Height 10 10–3 150/1 Gavin Sheehan Jamie Snowden
38 Double Shuffle 11 10–2 125/1 Jonathan Burke Tom George
39 Ami Desbois 11 10–2 150/1 Kielon Woods Graeme McPherson
40 Blaklion 12 10–2 50/1 Harry Skelton Dan Skelton
R1 Some Neck 10 John McConnell
R2 Secret Reprieve 7 Evan Williams
R3 Kauto Riko 10 Tom Gretton
R4 Fagan 11 Alex Hales
Sources: Trainers and weights[10] Jockeys[11] Starting prices[12]
  • Note Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms in the jockeys name denotes an amateur.

Race overview

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The race was held without spectators due to COVID-19. The favourite, Cloth Cap, was the first leader in the race, but was quickly caught by Jett, who then built up a large lead, with Cloth Cap remaining in second for much of the race. Any Second Now ran into trouble when Double Shuffle fell in front of him in the first half of the race, costing him several lengths.[13] Cloth Cap was pulled up four fences from the end. On the third-last fence Any Second Now nearly fell. On the second-last fence, a pack of chasing horses, including Minella Times, Any Second Now, Discorama, Burrows Saint and Balko Des Flos caught Jett, as Jett faded. Minella Times took the lead on the second-last fence, and maintained it to the finish, while dark horse Balko Des Flos won second-place on the last fence.[14][15][16]

The Long Mile suffered an injury while running on a flat portion of the race and was euthanised after the race. Bryony Frost fell from Yala Enki and needed hospital treatment.[14][15]

Henry de Bromhead trained the top two finishers in the race, only a few weeks after his horses won the top three races at the Cheltenham Festival. Jockey Rachael Blackmore recorded the best ever finish for a woman jockey, above the third place finish for Katie Walsh in 2012. In her interview after the race, Blackmore stated "I don't feel male or female. I don't even feel human, I feel unbelievable."[14][15]

Finishing order

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Placed horses[17][18]
1: Minella Times
2: Balko Des Flos
3: Any Second Now
4: Burrows Saint


Position Name Age Handicap

(stlb)

SP Jockey Trainer Prize money
1 Minella Times 8 10–3 11/1 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead £375,000
2 Balko Des Flos 10 10–9 100/1 Aidan Coleman Henry de Bromhead £150,000
3 Any Second Now 9 10–9 15/2 Mark Walsh Ted Walsh £75,000
4 Burrows Saint 8 10–13 9/1 Patrick Mullins Willie Mullins £48,750
5 Farclas 7 10–3 16/1 Jack Kennedy Mrs Denise Foster £30,000
6 Blaklion 12 10–2 50/1 Harry Skelton Dan Skelton £22,500
7 Discorama 8 10–6 16/1 Bryan Cooper Paul Nolan £15,000
8 Jett 10 10–7 80/1 Sam Waley-Cohen Jessica Harrington £11,250
9 Cabaret Queen 9 10–5 80/1 Sean O'Keeffe Willie Mullins £7,500
10 Shattered Love 10 10–7 33/1 Kevin Sexton Mrs Denise Foster £3,750
11 Alpha Des Obeaux 11 10–9 80/1 Jody McGarvey Mrs Denise Foster
12 Hogan's Height 10 10–3 100/1 Gavin Sheehan Jamie Snowden
13 Acapella Bourgeois 11 10–12 20/1 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins
14 Sub Lieutenant 12 10–3 50/1 Tabitha Worsley Georgia Howell
15 Class Conti 9 10–6 66/1 Brian Hayes Willie Mullins

Source [19]

Non-finishers

[edit]
Fence Name Jockey SP Fate
1 Lake View Lad Brian Hughes 50/1 Fell
4 Magic Of Light Robbie Power 14/1 Unseated rider
11 Minellacelebration Benjamin Poste 80/1 Unseated rider
12 Double Shuffle Jonathan Burke 66/1 Fell
13 Anibale Fly Denis O'Regan 28/1 Pulled up
15 Canelo Thomas Bellamy 66/1 Fell
15 Ami Desbois Kielan Woods 100/1 Brought down
17 Takingrisks Sean Quinlan 14/1 Pulled up
17 Mister Malarky Jonjo O'Neill Jr. 12/1 Pulled up
20 Yala Enki Bryony Frost 40/1 Unseated rider
20 Vieux Lion Rouge Conor O'Farrell 66/1 Fell
21 Ballyoptic Sam Twiston-Davies 66/1 Refused
21 Ok Corral Mr Derek O'Connor 80/1 Pulled up
21 Lord Du Mesnil Nick Scholfield 50/1 Pulled up
22 Bristol De Mai Daryl Jacob 25/1 Pulled up
22 Potters Corner Jack Tudor 22/1 Pulled up
23 The Long Mile L P Dempsey 50/1 Pulled up
26 Talkischeap Tom Cannon 33/1 Pulled up
27 Chris's Dream D J O'Keeffe 40/1 Unseated rider
28 Cloth Cap Tom Scudamore 11/2 Fav Pulled up
29 Give Me A Copper Sean Bowen 33/1 Pulled up
29 Definitly Red Ryan Mania 28/1 Pulled up
29 Tout Est Permis Sean Flanagan 100/1 Pulled up
29 Kimberlite Candy Richie McLernon 20/1 Pulled up
29 Milan Native Mr Jamie Codd 50/1 Pulled up

Source[19]

Broadcasting and media

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"It is Minella Times who leads them towards the elbow, three or four lengths clear from ridden in second place Balko Des Flos, Any Second Now and Burrows Saint. Rachael Blackmore heads towards the elbow, with 200 yards between herself and an Aintree victory. Balko Des Flos and Any Second Now are about five lengths down. 150 yards to go! Minella Times, Rachael Blackmore, still five lengths clear! And it is Minella Times who is keeping up the gallop towards the line! Minella Times, Rachael Blackmore raise the bar, still higher! She won the National on Minella Times for Henry De Bromhead!"

ITV lead commentator Richard Hoiles describes the climax of the race.[20]

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 for the fourth time, and the first year in its new three year deal with the British Horseracing Authority.[21] For Racing TV, the race was called by Stewart Machin, Alan Howes and Simon Holt.

The ITV coverage was presented by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani. Analysis was provided by former Grand National-winning jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald, with Ruby Walsh also contributing via remote link from the course. Reports were provided by Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad, Luke Harvey and Matt Chapman – who also provided updates on betting during the broadcast. 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 fourth time. Following the race, Bell, Fitzgerald and Walsh guided viewers on a fence-by-fence re-run of the race.[20]

Because of the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 9 April, coverage of the second day of the meeting was moved to ITV4, with no advertisement breaks or sponsorship bumpers.[22]

In the Republic of Ireland, the race was broadcast on Virgin Media One.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Grand National 2021 | 8–10 April | Randox Grand National". www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
  2. ^ Sport, Telegraph (10 April 2021). "Grand National 2021 full results: the winner, the finishers, the fallers and where your horse finished". The Telegraph – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  3. ^ Mottershead, Lee (10 April 2021). "Rachael Blackmore makes history on 11–1 Minella Times in 2021 Grand National". Racing Post. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  4. ^ Grand National horse dies following injury during race, Manchester Evening News, 10 April 2021
  5. ^ "Grand National 2021 date confirmed amid calls to change Aintree festival". The Mirror. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  6. ^ Muscat, Julian (10 April 2021). "'He was such fun' – racing pays tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh". Racing Post. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  7. ^ Tiger Roll tops 106 entries for 2021 Randox Health Grand National at Aintree, 3 February 2021, Racing TV
  8. ^ Grand National 2021: Tiger Roll withdrawal confirmed as 90 entries remain, Liverpool Echo, 10 March 2021
  9. ^ "Grand National 2021: horse-by-horse guide to all the runners". Guardian. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Grand National 2021 runners, weights and latest betting for Aintree". Paddypower.com. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Grand National 2021 Odds". Timeform.com. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Grand National Betting Odds 2021 – 17:15". oddschecker.com. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Rachael Blackmore wins Grand National on Minella Times – as it happened". Guardian. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  14. ^ a b c Keogh, Frank (10 April 2021). "Rachael Blackmore wins Grand National on Minella Times". BBC. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Wood, Greg (10 April 2021). "Rachael Blackmore is first female jockey to win Grand National, on Minella Times". Guardian. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Grand National recap: Jockey Rachael Blackmore makes history by winning the Grand National on Minella Times". SkySports. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Grand National 2021: Pinstickers' guide to Aintree runners & riders". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  18. ^ "Full Result 5.15 Aintree | 10 April 2021 | Racing Post".
  19. ^ a b "2021 Grand National result: where your horse finished and who won". Racing Post. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  20. ^ a b "ITV Racing – ITV Racing: The Grand National Live". Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021 – via www.itv.com.
  21. ^ "Racing will remain on ITV for another three years after new contract is agreed". Racing Post. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  22. ^ "ITV scrap adverts after Prince Philip's death to bring uninterrupted news coverage". 9 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  23. ^ April 2021, What Hi-Fi? 10. "Grand National live stream: how to watch the 2021 racing from Aintree for free". whathifi.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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