Red Marauder won a truly remarkable 154th running of
the Martell Grand National at Aintree today.
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Richard Guest punches the air in delight after winning today's Martell Grand National
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A catalogue of incidents during the early stages of the race decimated the field to the extent that only seven of the 40 starters even reached the start of the second circuit.
Then a loose horse, veering across the fence took out Papillon, Blowing Wind, Brave Highlander and Unsinkable Boxer, and when Beau fell only Smarty and Red Marauder were left with a chance.
In a war of attrition, it was the 33-1 chance Red Marauder, trained by Norman Mason and ridden by Richard Guest, who went on to win by a distance from the 16-1 runner-up.
Blowing Wind (16-1) and Papillon (14-1) remounted to finish third and fourth more than two fences behind the first two home.
Mason, who also owns the winner, said: "Absolutely fantastic, what a race.
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"I`ve never seen a race like that in my life, not in my 25 years in racing.
"He seemed to be enjoying himself out there, his ears were pricked like a real old veteran."
And Mason was full of praise for Guest, who is also his assistant trainer.
"He`s a miracle worker and I love him to death!" he said.
"It would never have happened without Richard Guest. He does everything for me at home, I don`t know where I`d be without him. All the credit goes to Richard."
Guest said: "I`ve never run in worse (ground). We were really lucky to get away with it, I was in two minds whether we should have gone out there.
"He nearly fell five times but he wouldn`t go down."
All 40 horses returned unscathed.
PA