Grand National 2004

past winners

Monty's Pass wins Grand National 2003

01:45 PM John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

First blood to the Irish as Definite Spectacle, ridden by Paul Carberry, came through two out to go on and beat Say What You See who had made a bold bid to make all. The favourite Medison was held up at the back and looked to be going as well as anything, but found nothing after jumping the third last and was well beaten. the Lanzarote winner Crossbow Creek stayed on for third ahead of Copeland. Victram never showed, and both Stance and Grande Jet were beaten a long way out.

02:50 PM John Smith's No Nonsense Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

Tony McCoy booted home Ghengis to register his third winner at the Festival. Ridden from the front, Peter Bowen's charge first saw off the challenge of Its Crucial before kicking clear on the home turn, with a whole host of rivals toiling in vain to catch him. Tamarinbleu proved best of Martin Pipe's runners, staying on for second despite topweight, with Mirpour and Billyvodden just staying on at the one pace. Quite a few found the strong gallop too much, including Fontanesi, Royaleety and Migwell.

03:20 PM Scottish And Newcastle Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)

An exciting finish saw Al Eile edge out Inglis Drever, with Exotic Dancer a close third. The start was a farce though as nobody wanted to go on until Inglis Drever and Brave Inca decided to inject some pace. Inglis Drever, bidding to cement his pace at the top of the BHB Order Of Merit, tried to slip the field under strong driving from Lee throughout, but the pack stayed in touch, and then there was drama at the third last as Brave Inca fell when in with every chance. Even then it was not over as Al Eile, successful as a four-year-old here 12 months ago, was produced by Timmy Murphy to steal the race, and give the Irish another winner. Not for the first time this race saw a Cheltenham winner turned over, and as ever it proved an entertaining spectacle.

04:10 PM John Smith's Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Ruby Walsh was the punters pal again as he gave the favourite Hedgehunter a masterful ride to make amends for last year's last-fence fall. He hunted up the leaders just off the pace throughout before taking it up with three to jump, and from then on was always in command. He had the luxury of a look round at the elbow before sauntering home clear of Royal Auclair, Simply Gifted and It takes Time, with Carrie Ford a gallant fifth on Forest Gunner. Once again though, the race managed to elude Tony McCoy who was leading the field when hampered by a loose horse at Bechers. The champion was unseated and made to rue his luck once again. Of the other fancied runners, Strong Resolve made a mistake at the water and was never able to recover, while Double Honour was prominent when falling, and Gold Cup second Take The Stand suffered the same fate. However, 21 of the 40 that set out made it safely back, with Nil Desperandum 6th, Innox 7th, Heroes Collonges 8th, Just In Debt 9th and Amberleigh House 10th, notable finishers. Ruby Walsh also won the National on Papillon in 2000 and has many more years left to add to that brace of victories in the world's most famous race.

04:55 PM John Smith's Novices' Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase

As expected Shuh Shine endeavoured to set a fair gallop as they made their way around the Mildmay course in this amateur riders event. However, his jumping became a little patchy the further he went and he became an easy target for top weight Joes Edge, who moved easily for Tom Draper when asked for his effort. The Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding was yet to come under pressure when taking up a slender advantage approaching the last, then quickly asserted on the run-in to score decisively. This was just reward for a series of good performances from the son of Supreme Leader, who has paid the price with the handicapper for his own consistency this season. Quite what he still has to offer is now out of his control but he fully deserved this and it was a meritorious victory. Copsale Lad has been slowly getting to grips with his fencing and his connections can take heart from a better round today. Still, it was far a from fluent performance and this is probably as good as he is. Edmo Yewkay ran to form with Shuh Shine and was well held, while Undeniable could not get competitive off a 4lb higher mark than for his Uttoxeter win last month. Almost Broke did well to complete after his rider lost control of the reins following a blunder down the far side. It is too early to write him off but he needs to brush up on his jumping on this evidence. So do Mondul and Dangerousdanmagru, who were early casualties - the former bringing David Dunston back down to earth with a bang after his splendid effort in finishing fourteenth aboard family treasure Joly Bey in the National earlier.

05:30 PM John Smith's Champion Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2)

A shock outcome is the way to describe the finale as 50-1 shot The Cool Guy came late on the scene to deny another of the rank outsiders Some Touch, who himself had come to collar Mendo. The latter had proved tough to pass as he kept up the gallop from the front, and the likes of Refinement and Noland could not find the necessary stamina to get past him. The Duke's Speech gave a good account along with Joke Club, but Itsmyboy was badly hampered at halfway and could never land a blow afterwards. For Nigel Twiston-Davies, it was a second win in this event to add to the success of King's Road in 1998.