VINE: Many Clouds claims the Grand National at Aintree

AP McCoy finishes fifth

In the end the fairytale finish just eluded Tony McCoy but he gave it his all. Leighton Aspell proved too strong up the final straight as his mount Many Clouds took home this year's Grand national at 25-1. The jockey claimed his second Grand National success in a row to follow up from his win aboard Pineau de Re last year. The race was led out early on by Rebel Rebellion but by the midway point The Rainbow Hunter had taken over from The Druid's Nephew. By this stage McCoy had moved up to fifth after staying out of the trouble that had seen Ballycasey and Balthazar King both crash at Canal Turn. Both horses surviving their tumble unhurt Because of the pile-up there, the horses bypassed that fence second time around and on the next fence heading towards the finish The Druids Nephew fell when leading. With three out Aspell showed all his experience by guiding Many Clouds to the front with AP McCoy struggling to get the gas out of the pre-race favourite. Soll also put the pressure on but heading to the last Saint Are and Shutthefrontdoor contested second as Aspell looked certain for the win. However a late charge from Saint Are did make for a nervous finish but Aspell held on for a huge win for Trevor Hemmings and Oliver Sherwood. Second was Saint Are at 25/1,third was Monbeg Dude 40/1 and fourth was Alvarado at 20/1 It's the second year in a row that there was no human or equine related deaths on the track.