A worthy winner.
The Mouse Morris-trained 33/1 shot Rule the World won the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday afternoon and there was barely a dry eye in the house.
Morris lost his son Christopher in June last year when he tragically died as a result of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning while travelling in Argentina.
After watching David Mullins guide home the 33/1 shot at Aintree the Fethard trainer, who won the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday with Rogue Angel, couldn’t quite believe what had happened.
“I’d have settled for third place. I’d have been delighted with the way he ran had he finished third,” he said.
“But sure we got a bit of help from somewhere.”
He was looking down on you? Morris was then asked
“Ah he was. Poor old Tiffer. It’s Disneyland, fairytale stuff.”
Morris later said that his late son “was working overtime for him”
After Irish National & now Grand National wins, Michael 'Mouse' Morris says: "My late son is working overtime for me, to have 2 in one week"
— Rob Maul (@Rob_Maul) April 9, 2016
Commentating for Channel 4, AP McCoy said: “It’s been an emotional year for Mouse Morris. His son is looking down on him and probably made that happen,” said AP McCoy.
In the immediate aftermath of the race Morris was lost for words when interviewed by Clare Balding.
https://twitter.com/Channel4Racing/status/718839685682843648
But whether they won or lost on the race, punters across Ireland and the UK were delighted to see Morris rule Aintree after such a difficult year for his whole family.
Finding it hard to hold it together watching Mouse Morris completely overcome with emotion… What must have been going through his head
— Lost Sophist (@Lost_Sophist) April 9, 2016
Hope #MouseMorris is ok,emotional day for him & he looked overwhelmed bless him! Great achievement by trainer, horse&jockey #GrandNational
— Kath Wilson (@katsitter) April 9, 2016
Finally, if you don't like Mouse Morris, you don't like life #GrandNational
— Michael Caulfield MSc (@TheCaulfieldWay) April 9, 2016
