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Grand National festival

Irish boost excellent Grand National record with ten of first 11 finishers

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Rachael Blackmore riding Minella Times (C) clear the last to win The Randox Grand National Handicap Chase at Aintree Racecourse on April 10, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting venues around the UK remain under restrictions
Minella Times (centre): led home an Irish domination in the Grand NationalCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Irish trainers maintained their dominance of Britain's biggest races this season when saddling the first five home in the Grand National and ten of the first 11 finishers.

Rachael Blackmore became the first female rider to win the race after scoring aboard Minella Times, whose trainer Henry de Bromhead won the Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

De Bromhead also trained the 100-1 runner-up Balko Des Flos, who ran in the colours of the newly formed RacehorseClub and finished in the first two for the first time since winning the 2018 Ryanair Chase.

Winning owner JP McManus was also represented by Any Second Now, who finished third for trainer Ted Walsh ahead of the Willie Mullins-trained Burrows Saint and Farclas, trained by Denise Foster.


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Irish trainers would have been responsible for the first ten home had it not been for 50-1 outsider Blaklion, who finished sixth for Dan Skelton.

"That was remarkable, he just doesn't quite stay that full National distance but there's no disrespect in that at all," said the trainer.

"He was maybe last or second-last jumping the first but he picked and weaved and dodged and ducked and got himself into a position crossing the Melling Road but didn't quite get home."


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Irish trainers were responsible for the first three home in 2019, when Magic Of Light and Rathvinden chased home Tiger Roll, and the first four home the previous year, when Pleasant Company lost out to Tiger Roll by a head.

They have won four of the last ten runnings of the race, with Rule The World beating the Kim Bailey-trained The Last Samuri in 2016 for Gigginstown House Stud, trainer Mouse Morris and David Mullins.

The most recent British-trained winner was One For Arthur, who scored in 2017 under Derek Fox for Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell.


Read more on the 2021 Grand National:

Rachael Blackmore makes history on 11-1 Minella Times in 2021 Grand National

Jonjo O'Neill: Tom did the right thing by pulling up favourite Cloth Cap

'I chatted with Rachael at halfway – but I couldn't go with her from two out'

Katie Walsh: Rachael Blackmore is an inspiration to males and females alike

National hero Minella Times adds to season of seasons for Henry de Bromhead


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