Money well spent: five bargain buys who triumphed in the Grand National

The Grand National is often called a lottery and it seems owners don't need to spend a vast amount to have the winning ticket. Here are several bargain buys who have triumphed at Aintree in recent years . .

Hedgehunter (3,200gns)

Trevor Hemmings was probably not expecting his 3,200gns buy to accumulate £784,593 in prize-money after being beaten on his first nine starts.

The Willie Mullins-trained chaser fell at the final fence when likely to pick up place money in the 2004 National, but his day in the sun came a year later when forging clear to win by 14 lengths. The following season he would go on to finish second in both the Gold Cup and in his defence of the National.

Auroras Encore (9,500gns)

If the owners of Auroras Encore put £150 on their horse to win the 2013 National they would have covered the cost of purchasing the horse with money to spare. Harvey Smith bought him at Doncaster in 2005 for just 9,500gns and he would earn £725,737 in prize-money during his career.

Auroras Encore: shock National winner in 2013Credit: Alex Livesey

He was a shock 66-1 winner of the National six years ago, beating Cappa Bleu by nine lengths, and won eight of his 47 career starts.

Many Clouds(€6,000)

Perhaps the most shrewd investment for Trevor Hemmings was the purchase of Many Clouds, who was bought as a yearling by Highflyer Bloodstock for just €6,000 at Tattersalls Ireland in 2007.

The Oliver Sherwood-trained chaser would go on to win 12 races including the Ladbrokes Trophy, two Cotswold Chases and the 2015 Grand National carrying 11st 9lb. He was one of the most popular horses of recent times.

One For Arthur(£60,000)

A purchase price £60,000 may seem expensive in comparison to other names on this list, but the 2017 Grand National winner would go on to make ten times his sales price.

The son of Milan won Warwick's Classic Chase before scoring in the world's most famous steeplechase. He's won £668,938 in prize-money and, following a sixth-place finish in this year's National, there could be more big days to come.

Tiger Roll (£80,000)

This horse needs no introduction. Nigel Hawke bought him for £10,000, won with him at Market Rasen and made a nice profit when selling him for £80,000 but it was Gigginstown who got the best end of the deal.

Four Cheltenham Festival victories and now a dual Grand National winner, Tiger Roll's career earnings have now reached a staggering £1,367,282.

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