2017 Grand National

2017 Grand National
Grand National

Location Aintree Racecourse
Date 8 April 2017
Winning horse One For Arthur
Starting price 1014 14/1
Jockey Derek Fox
Trainer Lucinda Russell
Owner Two Golf Widows
Conditions Good to soft

The 2017 Grand National (officially known as the 2017 Randox Health Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 170th official running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase over a distance of 4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km) took place on 8 April 2017, the final day of a three-day meeting. A maximum field of 40 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million.[1]

Randox Health is the new sponsor of the main race and the festival itself for the next five years.[1] It was broadcast live on television by ITV for the first time. There was live radio coverage by BBC Radio, which has held the radio rights since 1927, and by Talksport, which covered the main race live for the fourth time.

The race was won by One For Arthur, only the second horse trained in Scotland to win the Grand National (the other being Rubstic in 1979). One For Arthur was ridden by Derek Fox and trained by Lucinda Russell, and was sent off at odds of 14/1.[2]

Race card

A total of 110 entries were received for consideration in the 2017 Grand National and were announced on 1 February 2017. Among the early favourites were Don Poli, who won three Grade 1 races in the 2015–16 season, and 2016 National runner-up The Last Samuri. The 2015 winner, Many Clouds, who was also among the ante-post favourites, died of a pulmonary haemorrhage shortly before the entries were announced.[3]

The weights were announced on 14 February and headed by Lexus Chase winner Outlander, however, trainer Gordon Elliott indicated that he would not run. The top five weighted horses were all Irish-trained, including three by Elliott. One runner (Otago Trail) was scratched before the weights were assigned.[4] Ninety-five entries remained after the first scratching deadline on 28 February. Elliott, who had earlier expressed his dissatisfaction with the weights assigned to his horses, withdrew several of his entries, including Outlander, Empire of Dirt and Don Poli, leaving Carlingford Lough as the new top weight. Vieux Lion Rouge, who won the Grand National Trial at Haydock, was now the favourite with the bookmakers, at 12/1.[5] The field was reduced to 79 following the second scratching deadline on 21 March.[6] The five-day confirmation process began on 3 April with 70 horses advancing, following the withdrawal of top-weight Carlingford Lough. The final field was announced on 6 April, including four reserves in case of any withdrawals before 1 pm on 7 April.[7] One of the top 40 horses going into the confirmation stage (Pendra) withdrew.[8] There were no further withdrawals before the deadline, leaving the following 40 starters:

No Horse Age Handicap
(st–lb)		 SP Jockey Trainer
1 The Last Samuri (IRE) 9 11-10 16/1 David Bass Kim Bailey
2 More Of That (IRE) 9 11-06 16/1 Barry Geraghty Jonjo O'Neill
3 Shantou Flyer (IRE) 7 11-05 50/1 Jonathan Moore Rebecca Curtis
4 Perfect Candidate (IRE) 10 11-05 33/1 Paddy Brennan Fergal O'Brien
5 Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 8 11-05 16/1 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls
6 Roi Des Francs (FR) 8 11-03 50/1 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott (IRE)
7 Wounded Warrior (IRE) 8 11-02 33/1 Sean Flanagan Noel Meade (IRE)
8 Wonderful Charm (FR) 9 11-02 28/1 Ms Katie Walsh Paul Nicholls
9 Tenor Nivernais (FR) 10 11-01 40/1 Aidan Coleman Venetia Williams
10 Blaklion 8 11-01 8/1 F Noel Fehily Nigel Twiston-Davies
11 Drop Out Joe 9 11-01 33/1 Tom O'Brien Charlie Longsdon
12 Le Mercurey (FR) 7 11-00 50/1 Sean Bowen Paul Nicholls
13 The Young Master 8 10–13 20/1 Mr Sam Waley-Cohen Neil Mulholland
14 Cause of Causes (USA) 9 10–13 16/1 Mr Jamie Codd Gordon Elliott (IRE)
15 Regal Encore (IRE) 9 10–13 33/1 Robbie Power Anthony Honeyball
16 Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 8 10–12 12/1 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
17 Definitly Red (IRE) 8 10–12 10/1 Danny Cook Brian Ellison
18 Ucello Conti (FR) 9 10–12 20/1 Daryl Jacob Gordon Elliott (IRE)
19 Double Shuffle (IRE) 7 10–12 33/1 Adrian Heskin Tom George
20 Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 10 10–12 50/1 Charlie Deutsch Venetia Williams
21 Pleasant Company (IRE) 9 10–12 11/1 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins (IRE)
22 One For Arthur (IRE) 8 10–11 14/1 Derek Fox Lucinda Russell
23 Ballynagour (IRE) 11 10–11 66/1 David Noonan David Pipe
24 O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 10 10–11 50/1 Paul Townend Rebecca Curtis
25 Highland Lodge (IRE) 11 10–11 25/1 Henry Brooke James Moffatt
26 Bishops Road (IRE) 9 10-10 66/1 Jamie Moore Kerry Lee
27 Lord Windermere (IRE) 11 10-10 33/1 Leighton Aspell Jim Culloty (IRE)
28 Saint Are (FR) 11 10-10 25/1 Davy Russell Tom George
29 Vicente (FR) 8 10-10 16/1 Brian Hughes Paul Nicholls
30 Just A Par (IRE) 10 10-09 33/1 Harry Cobden Paul Nicholls
31 Measureofmydreams (IRE) 9 10-09 40/1 Donagh Meyler Noel Meade (IRE)
32 Raz de Maree (FR) 12 10-09 33/1 Ger Fox Gavin Cromwell (IRE)
33 Stellar Notion (IRE) 9 10-09 50/1 David Mullins Henry de Bromhead (IRE)
34 Rogue Angel (IRE) 9 10-08 20/1 Bryan Cooper Mouse Morris (IRE)
35 Cocktails At Dawn 9 10-08 33/1 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson
36 Thunder And Roses (IRE) 9 10-07 25/1 Mark Enright Mouse Morris (IRE)
37 Gas Line Boy (IRE) 11 10-07 50/1 Robert Dunne Ian Williams
38 Goodtoknow 9 10-07 66/1 Jake Greenall Kerry Lee
39 La Vaticane (FR) 8 10-06 80/1 Richie McLernon David Pipe
40 Doctor Harper (IRE) 9 10-06 50/1 Connor O'Farrell David Pipe
  • Great Britain unless stated.
  • Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.
  • Liam Treadwell was due to ride Tenor Nivernais but was replaced by Coleman after getting injured.[9]

Race overview

Two false starts occurred before the race could get underway, the first caused by several horses running off too keenly and the second by The Young Master and Raz de Maree jumping the gun from a standing start. When the race eventually began properly, the 50/1 outsider Roi Des Francs led the field on the first circuit with Rogue Angel and Highland Lodge also prominent.[2] The 10/1 second-favourite Definitly Red was pulled up at Valentine's, whilst Saphir Du Rheu fell at the 11th.

As the horses rounded the turn to begin the second circuit, Roi Des Francs was carried out by a loose horse[2] and rejoined the field in mid-division, leaving Rogue Angel as the new leader. Saint Are, Blaklion and Vieux Lion Rouge remained close behind the leaders. With five fences remaining, the 8/1 favourite Blaklion moved up to challenge Rogue Angel for the lead, with Saint Are going third and Cause of Causes coming into contention. With two fences left to jump, Blaklion raced into a three-length lead over Rogue Angel, as Vieux Lion Rouge advanced into third and One For Arthur made significant progress through the field.

At the second-last, One For Arthur jumped into the back of the leader Blaklion, with Cause of Causes and Gas Line Boy moving up to contest first place. The four were all stride-for-stride as they took the last fence, but One For Arthur jumped into the lead and accelerated to go three lengths clear at the elbow, increasing that advantage in the final furlong as he crossed the finish line four-and-a-half lengths ahead of Cause of Causes in second, with three-and-a-half lengths back to Saint Are who ran on well to clinch third by half-a-length from Blaklion.[10]

There were no fatalities and all 40 runners returned safely to the stables.[11]

Finishing order

The 19 horses to complete the course finished as follows:[12][13]

Position Horse Jockey SP Distance Prize money
1 One For Arthur Derek Fox 14/1 4½ lengths £561,300
2 Cause of Causes Mr Jamie Codd 16/1 3¾ lengths £211,100
3 Saint Are Davy Russell 25/1 ½ length £105,500
4 Blaklion Noel Fehily 8/1 F 8 lengths £52,700
5 Gas Line Boy Robert Dunne 50/1 10 lengths £26,500
6 Vieux Lion Rouge Tom Scudamore 12/1 1 length £13,200
7 Lord Windermere Leighton Aspell 33/1 Neck £6,800
8 Regal Encore Robbie Power 33/1 Head £3,600
9 Pleasant Company Ruby Walsh 11/1 14 lengths £2,000
10 Houblon Des Obeaux Charlie Deutsch 50/1 2¾ lengths £1,000
11 Ballynagour David Noonan 66/1 1¼ lengths
12 Le Mercurey Sean Bowen 50/1 3½ lengths
13 Goodtoknow Jake Greenall 66/1 3½ lengths
14 Just A Par Harry Cobden 33/1 6 lengths
15 La Vaticane Richie McLernon 80/1 7 lengths
16 The Last Samuri David Bass 16/1 6 lengths
17 Tenor Nivernais Aidan Coleman 40/1 7 lengths
18 Roi Des Francs Jack Kennedy 50/1 1 length
19 Wonderful Charm Katie Walsh 28/1 Last to complete
  • Distance measures from smallest to largest winning margin: nose, short head, head, short neck, neck, one length, a distance.

Non-finishers

The runners who failed to complete were as follows:[12]

Fence Horse Jockey SP Fate
1st Cocktails At Dawn Nico de Boinville 33/1 Fell
1st Vicente Brian Hughes 16/1 Fell
6th (Becher's Brook) The Young Master Mr Sam Waley-Cohen 20/1 Fell
6th (Becher's Brook) Raz De Maree Ger Fox 33/1 Unseated rider
9th (Valentine's) Definitly Red Danny Cook 10/1 Pulled up
9th (Valentine's) Thunder And Roses Mark Enright 25/1 Unseated rider
11th Saphir Du Rheu Sam Twiston-Davies 16/1 Unseated rider
13th Stellar Notion David Mullins 50/1 Pulled up
15th (The Chair) Measureofmydreams Donagh Meyler 40/1 Unseated rider
22nd (Becher's Brook) Ucello Conti Daryl Jacob 20/1 Unseated rider
26th Perfect Candidate Paddy Brennan 33/1 Pulled up
26th Shantou Flyer Jonathan Moore 50/1 Pulled up
29th Wounded Warrior Sean Flanagan 33/1 Pulled up
29th Double Shuffle Adrian Heskin 33/1 Pulled up
29th Doctor Harper Connor O'Farrell 50/1 Pulled up
30th Highland Lodge Henry Brooke 25/1 Pulled up
30th Rogue Angel Bryan Cooper 20/1 Pulled up
30th O'Faolains Boy Paul Townend 50/1 Pulled up
30th Drop Out Joe Tom O'Brien 33/1 Pulled up
30th More Of That Barry Geraghty 16/1 Pulled up
30th Bishops Road Jamie Moore 66/1 Pulled up

Broadcasting and media

As they head down towards the last, One for Arthur for Scotland, Blaklion, Cause of Causes and Wonderful Charm on the inside, they are four deep heading to the last! And it's One for Arthur who accelerates, and moves to the lead from Cause of Causes, as they head up this long run in. One for Arthur is out in front, Cause of Causes in second place for Jamie Codd, Blaklion now back in third as they head towards the elbow in the National. And it's One for Arthur, out in front for Derek Fox and Lucinda Russell, beginning to pull three lengths clear from Cause of Causes, back in third is Blaklion, Saint Are is running on late in the day but it's One for Arthur, who crept into the race for the first circuit and a half, and is keeping up the gallop towards the line! And Scottish flags are flying high! One for Arthur won it!

ITV lead commentator Richard Hoiles describes the climax of the race.

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. This was the first year that ITV broadcast the race live, following the decision by Channel 4 to drop the event and horse racing in general in 2016.[14][15]

The coverage was led by Ed Chamberlin. Retired champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald provided expert opinions throughout the coverage, with reports from Brough Scott, Luke Harvey, Oli Bell and Alice Plunkett and betting updates by Matt Chapman. The commentary team was Mark Johnson, Ian Bartlett and Richard Hoiles,[16] who called the winner home for the first time in his terrestrial television commentary career.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Don Poli heads bumper 110 entries for the 2017 Randox Health Grand National". The Liverpool Echo. 1 February 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Relive One For Arthur's Grand National triumph". BBC Sport. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "Grand National 2017 runners and riders: full list of horses and jockeys for Aintree race". The Telegraph. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "Grand National 2017: Outlander tops weights for the National – but won't run". The Liverpool Echo. 14 February 2017.
  5. ↑ Weights rise for Randox Health Grand National 2017 after top weights' defection, Liverpool Echo, 1 March 2017
  6. ↑ Minella Rocco out of Randox Health Grand National 2017 as 79 entries remain, Liverpool Echo, 21 March 2017
  7. ↑ Grand National 2017: Entries for the big Aintree race, BBC Sport, 3 April 2017
  8. ↑ Grand National 2017: Field confirmed for Aintree showpiece, BBC Sport, 6 April 2016
  9. ↑ "Grand National 2017:Jockey Liam Treadwell out after fall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Grand National 2017: One For Arthur triumphs becoming just the second Scottish-trained winner ever". The Independent. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Grand National: One For Arthur wins the big race – as it happened". The Guardian. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Grand National 2017 winner and results: Full list of finishers and fallers at Aintree". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  13. ↑ "2017 Grand National result". Irish Racing. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  14. ↑ "ITV to replace Channel 4 as horse racing broadcaster from 2017". BBC Sport. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  15. ↑ "Grand National peak viewing figure raises advertising worry for ITV". The Guardian. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  16. ↑ "The Grand National Festival Episode 3". ITV. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
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