Neptune Collonges, photo via Wikipedia
After more than four miles, it came down to a photo finish. The gray warrior, Neptune Collonges, won by a nostril over Sunnyhillboy. Sea Bass, ridden by Katy Walsh (sister to Ruby Walsh) finished third. It was a thrilling race, but marred by falls for much of the field. Sadly, there were two fatalities: Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised, and According To Pete, both fell at Becher’s Brook. Synchronised had an eventful start before the race, as he dumped rider AP McCoy and had a light gallop loose. The jockey remounted and a vet cleared the horse to compete. I bet the rider and trainer are seriously second-guessing the decision to run, now.
The field was weeded out rather quickly, but a core group made a good race of it at the end. At the second-last, it was anyone’s race: six horses jumped in line, and made for a great finish. Sunnyhillboy looked to have the advantage in the long run for the wire, but a gutsy Neptune Collonges ran him down to win on the nod. Neptune Collonges is 11 this year, and adds this victory to his wins in the 2007 & 2008 Punchestown Gold Cup, and the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup. According to the Racing Post, he is the first gray to win the Grand National since 1961.
It’s difficult to accept the fatalities that come with this sport. Perhaps the field should be limited to fewer horses… 40 starters is a huge number, and means interference is impossible to avoid. Of course the risk of danger is always present when running and jumping horses; but a fall with 15 horses perhaps has less dire consequences than falling in a pack of 40.
