First National success for McCoy on Don't Push It
Report: Aintree, Saturday
John Smith's Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 4m4f
TONY McCOY finally won the John Smith's Grand National at the 15th time of asking after he partnered the well-backed Don't Push It to a clear win.
The winner was sent off the 10-1 joint favourite and came home five lengths clear of Black Apalachi (14-1). State Of Play finished third at (16-1), while the other 10-1 joint-favourite Big Fella Thanks finished fourth. Fifth place went to Hello Bud at 20-1.
The ten-year-old Don't Push It was not only a first win in the race for the 14 times champion jockey, but also the first time that trainer Jonjo O'Neill and legendary owner JP McManus had tasted success in the world's most famous horse race.
With three of jump racings most famous names experiencing a first ever win in this race, and the fact that tens of thousands of punters had joined in on the gamble, there were understandably jubilant scenes in the packed winner's enclosure after the race.
A tearful McCoy said: "I'm being a big wuss. It means everything to me to win the Grand National.
"I've won lots of big races and I'm supposed to be a good jockey, but to not win the Grand National would be a bit of a negative on the cv.
"I'm delighted for my mum and dad as they've been great for me throughout the years, and for my wife Chanelle and my daughter Eve, who is two and a half.
"Hopefully now she'll be proud of me when she grows up."
McCoy's victory on Don't Push It came after weeks of uncertainty as to his choice of Grand National ride - he had the choice of four JP McManus-owned horses - and at the beginning of this week the champion jockey was still deliberating between the Jonjo O'Neill-trained pair of Don't Push It and Can't Buy Time.
It was only on Thursday morning that McCoy announced his decision to ride Don't Push It. Can't Buy Time, ridden by Richie McLernon, fell at the eighth fence.
McCoy continued: "My trainer put me on the right one if truth be known. I asked him to toss a coin and I think he tossed it a few times until he got Don't Push It.
"I couldn't have picked it, but Jonjo was very adamant and I didn't argue with him.
"If you get enough goes at something and you keep going, once you're in there you've always got a chance.
"I'm delighted for JP [McManus] as he's the best supporter this game has ever had and ever will have, and I'm very privileged to ride a Grand National winner in his colours."
O'Neill said: "It's fantastic and I thought it would never happen to me.
"I'm delighted for AP [McCoy] and JP and all the lads.
"It will take a bit of sinking in but it was fantastic. He just had a good position all the way and seemed to be jumping all the way. At the Canal Turn I thought Big Fella Thanks was going best but that we'd be placed and I'd have been happy with that but he picked up again.
"As a trainer I've come close and hit the bar a few times but I just thought we were destined never to win the National."
O'Neill added: "Alan Berry does everything with this horse at home so well done to him. The horse lives out in a field with half a dozen sheep.
"I didn't believe it was going to happen until they passed the post as I thought something was going to happen, but it's marvellous.
"Things can't get much better than this."
McManus said: "First of all I want to thank Frank Berry [racing manager] as he found the horse in Listowel and I don't think without Frank we would have had the horse.
"Full marks to Jonjo and the team as he's been a difficult horse down the years to keep right and keep his mind right."
Reacting to the victory, bookmaker Bet365 make Don't Push It a 20-1 chance to repeat his victory in 2011, while Victor Chandler slashed the chances of a McCoy victory in the BBC sports personality of the year competition from 80-1 to just 6-1.
McCoy's wife Chanelle said: "I'm speechless. For him to do this means the absolute world to him. I know he would have loved his parents to be here.
"It is so emotional and for him to do it for Mr McManus and for Jonjo and Jacqui [O'Neill], it is a fantastic achievement. It's brilliant."
There was a delay to the race after the jockeys tried to jump off before Paul Carberry had got on board King Johns Castle, and while the other 39 went on their way at the second time of asking, King Johns Castle planted himself andtook no part. Those who backed Eric's Charm fared little better as he lost Wayne Hutchinson at the first, although King Johns Castle backers who bet with Coral, Boylesports or Victor Chandler can at least look forward to a refund.
Pablo Du Charmil, My Will and Made In Taipan were other early casualties with the majority of the field successfully negotiating the fences in the first half of the race without too many mishaps.
Chief among that number was Conna Castle, who after taking up the running in the first circuit led them right through until making a mistake at Becher's Brook the second time round.
This left Black Apalachi in the lead with Hello Bud and Big Fella Thanks in behind him as McCoy was going about his business quietly on board Don't Push It, who won over 3m1f at this meeting 12 months ago.
Big Fella Thanks, the 10-1 joint favourite, was ridden by Barry Geraghty instead of Ruby Walsh, who had been taken to hospital after a fall from Celestial Halo in the Aintree Hurdle left him with a suspected broken arm.
As the protagonists straightened up for home, Conna Castle dropped away to be passed by State Of Play, with Don't Push It exerting his superiority over Black Apalachi and Big Fella Thanks at the last fence and pulling clear on the long run-in.
Among the 26 horses who failed to complete the 4m4f course were last year's 100-1 winner Mon Mome, who took a tumble atthe 26th fence, Arbor Supreme, who fell at the 15th, and Niche Market, who pulled up before the second-last.
Comply Or Die, winner in 2008 and second last year, was 12th, while Nina Carberry successfully completed on Character Building, finishing seventh.
All horse and jockeys came home safely.
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