Summary
The 2016 Grand National (officially known as the 2016 Crabbie's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 169th annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase took place on 9 April 2016, the final day of a three-day meeting. A field of 39 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million.[2]
| Grand National | |
  | |
| Location | Aintree Racecourse |
|---|---|
| Date | 9 April 2016 |
| Winning horse |  Rule The World |
| Starting price | 33/1 |
| Jockey |  David Mullins |
| Trainer | Mouse Morris |
| Owner | Gigginstown House Stud |
| Conditions | Soft (heavy in places)[1] |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Full replay of the 2016 Grand National Racing TV, YouTube |
The 2016 National was won by 33/1 shot Rule The World, ridden by David Mullins and trained by Mouse Morris.[3] In second place was the 8/1 joint-favourite The Last Samuri. Sixteen of the 39 runners completed the race, held on the softest going since the 2001 race.[3]
The race was sponsored by ginger-beer producer Crabbie's for the third and final time. It was broadcast live on television by Channel 4 for the fourth year running and the final time; the TV rights moved to ITV in 2017. There was live radio coverage by BBC Radio, which has held the radio rights since 1927, and by Talksport, which covered the main race live for the third time.[4]
Race card edit
A total of 126 entries were received for consideration in the 2016 Grand National, of which 96 remained after the second of two scratching deadlines, and 87 then advanced to the final confirmation stage. On 7 April the final field of 40 horses was announced as starters for the showpiece race. Four reserves were on standby, but there were no withdrawals before the deadline on 8 April.
O'Faolains Boy was subsequently a non-runner, being declared lame in the morning of the race, reducing the field to 39 from the maximum of 40. A notable absentee was the 2014 winner Pineau de Re, who was rated 46th in the handicap and thus did not qualify for the final field. The joint-favourites with bookmakers were the 2015 winner and top-weight Many Clouds and The Last Samuri.[5]
| No | Horse | Age | Handicap (st–lb) |
SP | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Many Clouds (IRE) | 9 | 11–10 | 8/1 JF | Leighton Aspell | Oliver Sherwood |
| 2 | Silviniaco Conti (FR) | 10 | 11–08 | 12/1 | Noel Fehily | Paul Nicholls |
| 3 | First Lieutenant (IRE) | 11 | 11–04 | 50/1 | Bryan Cooper | Mouse Morris (IRE) |
| 4 | Wonderful Charm (FR) | 8 | 11–03 | 40/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Paul Nicholls |
| 5 | Ballynagour (IRE) | 10 | 11–02 | 50/1 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 6 | O'Faolains Boy (IRE) | 9 | 11–01 | NR | Brian Hughes | Rebecca Curtis |
| 7 | Gilgamboa (IRE) | 8 | 11–01 | 28/1 | Robbie Power | Enda Bolger (IRE) |
| 8 | On His Own (IRE) | 12 | 11–01 | 33/1 | Mr. Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 9 | The Druids Nephew (IRE) | 9 | 11–00 | 16/1 | Denis O'Regan | Neil Mulholland |
| 10 | Triolo d'Alene (FR) | 9 | 11–00 | 50/1 | Jeremiah McGrath | Nicky Henderson |
| 11 | Rocky Creek (IRE) | 10 | 10–13 | 66/1 | Andrew Thornton | Paul Nicholls |
| 12 | Sir Des Champs (FR) | 10 | 10–13 | 20/1 | Ms. Nina Carberry | Willie Mullins |
| 13 | Holywell (IRE) | 9 | 10–12 | 11/1 | Richie McLernon | Jonjo O'Neill |
| 14 | Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) | 9 | 10–11 | 12/1 | Barry Geraghty | Jonjo O'Neill |
| 15 | Soll | 11 | 10–11 | 40/1 | Conor O'Farrell | David Pipe |
| 16 | Buywise (IRE) | 9 | 10–10 | 33/1 | Paul Moloney | Evan Williams |
| 17 | Boston Bob (IRE) | 11 | 10–10 | 25/1 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 18 | Aachen | 12 | 10–10 | 50/1 | Henry Brooke | Venetia Williams |
| 19 | Morning Assembly (IRE) | 9 | 10–09 | 16/1 | Davy Russell | Pat Fahy (IRE) |
| 20 | Double Ross (IRE) | 10 | 10–09 | 80/1 | Ryan Hatch | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 21 | Goonyella (IRE) | 9 | 10–08 | 12/1 | Johnny Burke | Jim Dreaper (IRE) |
| 22 | Ucello Conti (FR) | 8 | 10–08 | 25/1 | Daryl Jacob | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 23 | Unioniste (FR) | 8 | 10–08 | 28/1 | Nick Scholfield | Paul Nicholls |
| 24 | Le Reve (IRE) | 8 | 10–08 | 50/1 | Harry Skelton | Lucy Wadham |
| 25 | Gallant Oscar (IRE) | 10 | 10–08 | 16/1 | Mark Walsh | Tony Martin (IRE) |
| 26 | Onenightinvienna (IRE) | 7 | 10–08 | 33/1 | Tom O'Brien | Philip Hobbs |
| 27 | The Last Samuri (IRE) | 8 | 10–08 | 8/1 JF | David Bass | Kim Bailey |
| 28 | Kruzhlinin (GER) | 9 | 10–07 | 33/1 | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs |
| 29 | Rule The World | 9 | 10–07 | 33/1 | David Mullins | Mouse Morris |
| 30 | Just a Par (IRE) | 9 | 10–06 | 40/1 | Sean Bowen | Paul Nicholls |
| 31 | Katenko (FR) | 10 | 10–06 | 40/1 | Will Kennedy | Venetia Williams |
| 32 | Vics Canvas (IRE) | 13 | 10–06 | 100/1 | Robert Dunne | Dermot McLoughlin (IRE) |
| 33 | Black Thunder (FR) | 9 | 10–06 | 50/1 | Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen | Paul Nicholls |
| 34 | Ballycasey (IRE) | 9 | 10–06 | 50/1 | Ms. Katie Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 35 | Hadrian's Approach (IRE) | 9 | 10–06 | 50/1 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 36 | Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) | 7 | 10–05 | 66/1 | James Reveley | David Pipe |
| 37 | Pendra (IRE) | 8 | 10–05 | 50/1 | Aidan Coleman | Charles Longsdon |
| 38 | Saint Are (FR) | 10 | 10–05 | 16/1 | Paddy Brennan | Tom George |
| 39 | Home Farm (IRE) | 9 | 10–04 | 50/1 | Andrew Lynch | Henry de Bromhead (IRE) |
| 40 | The Romford Pele (IRE) | 9 | 10–04 | 33/1 | Trevor Whelan | Rebecca Curtis |
- Great Britain unless stated.
- Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.
Race overview edit
The outsider Aachen led the field on the first circuit with Double Ross very prominent and The Last Samuri and Many Clouds close behind the leaders. The most notable early faller was the third-favourite Holywell at the second fence. The Romford Pele was in a handy position until falling at the Canal Turn. Silviniaco Conti was pulled up at the 14th whilst On His Own and Sir Des Champs, both trained by Willie Mullins, fell at The Chair.
As the horses set out on the second circuit some of the early leaders began to fade and the 2015 runner-up Saint Are led the field, with The Last Samuri and Many Clouds disputing second. In the heavy conditions, several riders decided to pull their horses up rather than face Becher's a second time. Many Clouds went to the front at the 19th fence and raced alongside The Last Samuri for several fences before making a bad mistake at the 26th, after which he began to struggle under the top weight.[6]
The Last Samuri led the field into the final turn ahead of Morning Assembly and the 100/1 outsider Vics Canvas, who had made a remarkable recovery after almost falling at Becher's Brook on the first circuit. Rule The World was beginning to make steady progress. The Last Samuri cleared the final fence just ahead of Vics Canvas, with Rule The World a length behind in third place. The three leaders were virtually level at the elbow with Vics Canvas on the rail, Rule The World on the outside and The Last Samuri in between them. In the final furlong Rule The World drew ahead and won by six lengths from The Last Samuri, with eight lengths back to Vics Canvas in third. Gilgamboa finished another two lengths behind in fourth, ahead of Goonyella, Ucello Conti, Vieux Lion Rouge, Morning Assembly and Shutthefrontdoor. Many Clouds was the last of the 16 finishers.[7]
All 39 runners returned to the stables with no major concerns.[8] However, over the three days of the Grand National Festival a total of five horses died from injuries sustained during racing.[9]
Finishing order edit
The sixteen horses to complete the course finished as follows:[7]
| Position | Horse | Jockey | SP | Distance | Prize money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rule The World | David Mullins | 33/1 | 6 lengths | £561,300 |
| 2 | The Last Samuri | David Bass | 8/1 JF | 8 lengths | £211,100 |
| 3 | Vics Canvas | Robert Dunne | 100/1 | 2 lengths | £105,500 |
| 4 | Gilgamboa | Robbie Power | 28/1 | 19 lengths | £52,700 |
| 5 | Goonyella | Johnny Burke | 12/1 | 1+3⁄4 lengths | £26,500 |
| 6 | Ucello Conti | Daryl Jacob | 25/1 | 11 lengths | £13,200 |
| 7 | Vieux Lion Rouge | James Reveley | 66/1 | 14 lengths | £6,800 |
| 8 | Morning Assembly | Davy Russell | 16/1 | 1⁄2 length | £3,600 |
| 9 | Shutthefrontdoor | Barry Geraghty | 12/1 | 9 lengths | £2,000 |
| 10 | Unioniste | Nick Scholfield | 28/1 | 5 lengths | £1,000 |
| 11 | Le Reve | Harry Skelton | 50/1 | 7 lengths | |
| 12 | Buywise | Paul Moloney | 33/1 | A distance | |
| 13 | Pendra | Aidan Coleman | 50/1 | 14 lengths | |
| 14 | Triolo d'Alene | Jeremiah McGrath | 50/1 | 20 lengths | |
| 15 | Just a Par | Sean Bowen | 40/1 | 1 length | |
| 16 | Many Clouds | Leighton Aspell | 8/1 JF | Last to complete |
Non-finishers edit
The runners who failed to complete were as follow:[7]
| Fence | Horse | Jockey | SP | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hadrian's Approach | Nico de Boinville | 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 2 | First Lieutenant | Bryan Cooper | 50/1 | Fell |
| 2 | Holywell | Richie McLernon | 11/1 | Fell |
| 8 (Canal Turn) | The Romford Pele | Trevor Whelan | 33/1 | Unseated rider |
| 12 (ditch) | Rocky Creek | Andrew Thornton | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 14 | Silviniaco Conti | Noel Fehily | 12/1 | Pulled up |
| 15 (The Chair) | On His Own | Mr. Patrick Mullins | 33/1 | Fell |
| 15 (The Chair) | Sir Des Champs | Ms. Nina Carberry | 20/1 | Fell |
| 18 | Gallant Oscar | Mark Walsh | 16/1 | Unseated rider |
| 19 (open ditch) | Ballynagour | Tom Scudamore | 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 21 | Soll | Conor O'Farrell | 40/1 | Pulled up |
| 21 | The Druids Nephew | Denis O'Regan | 16/1 | Pulled up |
| 21 | Home Farm | Andrew Lynch | 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 21 | Black Thunder | Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen | 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Katenko | Will Kennedy | 40/1 | Fell |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Onenightinvienna | Tom O'Brien | 33/1 | Unseated rider |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Boston Bob | Paul Townend | 25/1 | Pulled up |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Aachen | Henry Brooke | 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 24 (Canal Turn) | Wonderful Charm | Sam Twiston-Davies | 40/1 | Pulled up |
| 26 | Double Ross | Ryan Hatch | 80/1 | Pulled up |
| 27 (open ditch) | Kruzhlinin | Richard Johnson | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 29 | Ballycasey | Ms. Katie Walsh | 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 30 | Saint Are | Paddy Brennan | 16/1 | Pulled up |
Broadcasting and media edit
The Last Samuri just leads the way in the National, but here comes Rule The World charging on the outside, then Vics Canvas, and Rule The World is beginning to get up on the nearside now, charging on in the hands of David Mullins. And racing up towards the line, Rule The World rules at Aintree and wins the Crabbie's Grand National!
Channel 4 lead commentator Simon Holt describes the climax of the race.
As the Grand National is accorded the status of an event of national interest in the United Kingdom and is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events, it must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. The race was broadcast live on TV by Channel 4, as part of their four-year deal for the race secured back in 2012. This was the final year that Channel 4 broadcast the race live, after ITV secured the rights from 2017 onwards.[10]
The coverage was led by Clare Balding and Nick Luck, supported by Emma Spencer, Jim McGrath and Graham Cunningham in the trackside studio. Retired champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy provided expert opinions throughout the coverage, with reports from Mick Fitzgerald and Alice Plunkett and betting updates by Tanya Stevenson and Brian Gleeson. The commentary team was by Richard Hoiles, Ian Bartlett and Simon Holt, who called the winner home for the final time. After the race, Luck, Fitzgerald and McCoy provided viewers with a fence-by-fence analysis of the race. Channel 4 ran all-day coverage from Aintree on the day of the race, with extended editions of The Morning Line and Weekend Brunch airing prior to the main broadcast.[11] The coverage of the race was watched by 10 million viewers, an increase of 1.1 million on the previous year, and attracted a 59% share of the television audience.[12]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Crabbie's Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap)". Sporting Life. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "The Crabbies Grand National". The Crabbies Grand National.
- ^ a b Tyers, Alan (9 April 2016). "The Grand National 2016 winner, full result, and fallers: Rule the World wins at Aintree for David Mullins and Mouse Morris". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ Riley, Stuart (28 October 2015). "Balding to return as Grand National host". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ Keogh, Frank (7 April 2016). "Grand National 2016: Aintree field headed by Many Clouds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Relive the drama of the Grand National". BBC Sport. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ a b c "2016 Grand National result". Racing Post. 9 April 2016.
- ^ "Rule The World wins the Grand National with 19-year-old David Mullins". The Guardian. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ Kathryn Snowdon, Grand National Festival 2016 At Aintree Racecourse Sees Five Horses Die After Kings Palace Is Pulled Up And Destroyed, Huffington Post, 11 April 2016
- ^ "British horseracing announces exclusive domestic TV rights deal with ITV". ITV Press Centre. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ Channel 4 To Provide Nearly 10 Hours Dedicated to the Grand National
- ^ Dietz, Andrew (10 April 2016). "Big boost to National audience as 10m tune in". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016.