2014 Grand National

The 2014 Grand National (officially known as the 2014 Crabbie's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 167th annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase, which concluded a three-day meeting (one of only four held at Aintree throughout the year), took place on 5 April 2014. The maximum permitted field of 40 runners competed for a share of a record £1 million prize fund, which makes the National the most valuable jump race in Europe.

2014 Grand National
Grand National
LocationAintree Racecourse
Date5 April 2014
Winning horsePineau de Re
Starting price25/1
JockeyLeighton Aspell
TrainerRichard Newland
OwnerJohn A. Provan
ConditionsGood to soft
External video
Full replay of the 2014 Grand National Racing UK, YouTube

It was sponsored by Crabbie's for the first time, the ginger beer producer having taken over the sponsorship rights from John Smith's after the 2013 Grand National. The race was broadcast live on television by Channel 4 for the second time, having won the TV rights from the BBC after 2012, while the BBC retains the UK radio coverage rights it has held since 1927.

Pineau de Re, a 25/1 shot ridden by Leighton Aspell, won the race for trainer Richard Newland and owner John Provan, to become the sixth French-bred horse to win the Grand National. Eighteen runners completed the course, and all returned safely to the stables.

Race card

Entries for the Grand National had to be submitted by 28 January 2014. The following day, Aintree announced that 115 horses had been entered for consideration in the 2014 Grand National, an increase of 31 on the previous year and the highest number of initial entries since 2009. Handicap weights were announced by the British Horseracing Authority in London on 11 February.

There were scratchings' deadlines on 25 February and 18 March, after which 73 horses went forward to the five-day confirmation stage on 31 March. At that time they were reduced to 65 in total and the remaining contenders were ranked according to their ratings. On 3 April the final field of 40 runners was declared as follows:[1][2][3]

No Colours Horse Age Handicap (st-lb) SP[4] Jockey Trainer Owner(s)
1 Tidal Bay (IRE) 13 11–10 1016 16/1 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls A. & G. Wylie
2 Long Run (FRA) 9 11–09 1012 12/1 Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson Robert Waley-Cohen
3 Hunt Ball (IRE) 9 11–07 1050 50/1 Andrew Tinkler Nicky Henderson Atlantic Equine
4 Triolo d'Alene (FRA) 7 11–06 1016 16/1 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson S. & C. Orr
5 Rocky Creek (IRE) 8 11–05 1016 16/1 Noel Fehily Paul Nicholls Johnson & Stewart families
6 Quito de la Roque (FRA) 10 11–01 1040 40/1 Brian O'Connell Colm Murphy (IRE) Gigginstown House Stud
7 Colbert Station (IRE) 10 11–00 1033 33/1 Mark Walsh Ted Walsh (IRE) J. P. McManus
8 Walkon (FRA) 9 11–00 1040 40/1 Wayne Hutchinson Alan King McNeill family
9 Balthazar King (IRE) 10 10–13 1014 14/1 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs The Brushmakers
10 Wayward Prince 10 10–13 1066 66/1 Jack Doyle Hilary Parrott J. & H. Parrott
11 Mr. Moonshine (IRE) 10 10–12 1020 20/1 Ryan Mania Sue Smith D. Pryde, J. Beaumont & D. van der Hoeven
12 Teaforthree (IRE) 10 10–12 1010 10/1 JF Nick Scholfield Rebecca Curtis Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman
13 Across the Bay (IRE) 10 10–11 1050 50/1 Henry Brooke Donald McCain Scotch Piper Syndicate
14 Double Seven (IRE) 8 10–11 1010 10/1 JF A. P. McCoy Martin Brassil (IRE) J. P. McManus
15 Battle Group 9 10–10 1040 40/1 Brendan Powell Johnny Farrelly Jolly Boys Outing
16 Buckers Bridge (IRE) 8 10–10 1066 66/1 Andrew Lynch Henry de Bromhead (IRE) A. & A. Potts
17 Líon Na Bearnaí (IRE) 12 10–10 1033 33/1 Davy Russell Tom Gibney (IRE) The Lock Syndicate
18 Prince de Beauchene (FRA) 11 10–10 1020 20/1 Paul Townend Willie Mullins (IRE) A. & G. Wylie
19 Monbeg Dude (IRE) 9 10–09 1016 16/1 Paul Carberry Michael Scudamore Oydunow
20 Big Shu (IRE) 9 10–08 1014 14/1 Peter Buchanan Peter Maher (IRE) H. Duffy/R. Robinson/C. Woods
21 Burton Port (IRE) 10 10–08 1016 16/1 Brian Harding Jonjo O'Neill T. Hemmings
22 Our Father (IRE) 8 10–08 1025 25/1 Denis O'Regan David Pipe Ives & Johnson families
23 Mountainous (IRE) 9 10–07 1040 40/1 Jamie Moore Richard Lee Walters Plant Hire, J. & J. Potter
24 The Rainbow Hunter 10 10–07 1025 25/1 Aidan Coleman Kim Bailey May We Never Be Found Out
25 Vintage Star (IRE) 8 10–07 1050 50/1 Brian Hughes Sue Smith T. Hemmings
26 Chance Du Roy (FRA) 10 10–06 1033 33/1 Tom O'Brien Philip Hobbs D. Du Pre
27 Hawkes Point 9 10–06 1050 50/1 Ryan Mahon Paul Nicholls G. Roach
28 Kruzhlinin (GER) 7 10–06 1100 100/1 Wilson Renwick Donald McCain P. & C. Rooney
29 Pineau De Re (FRA) 11 10–06 1025 25/1 Leighton Aspell Richard Newland J. A. Provan
30 Golan Way 10 10–05 1066 66/1 Michael Byrne Tim Vaughan W R B Racing 58
31 Twirling Magnet (IRE) 8 10–05 1100 100/1 Richie McLernon Jonjo O'Neill G. Smith
32 Vesper Bell (IRE) 8 10–05 1040 40/1 Katie Walsh Willie Mullins (IRE) S. Ricci
33 The Package 11 10–04 1014 14/1 Tom Scudamore David Pipe Johnson family
34 Raz De Maree (IRE) 9 10–03 1050 50/1 David Condon Dessie Hughes (IRE) J. J. Swan
35 Rose of the Moon (IRE) 9 10–03 1050 50/1 Jake Greenall David O'Meara Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Ptrs
36 Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 10 10–03 1016 16/1 David Bass Nicky Henderson L. Breslin
37 Alvarado (IRE) 9 10–02 1033 33/1 Paul Moloney Fergal O'Brien W. & A. Rucker
38 Last Time D'Albain (FRA) 10 10–02 1050 50/1 Robbie Colgan Liam Cusack (IRE) Fontstown Syndicate
39 One in a Milan (IRE) 9 10–02 1040 40/1 Adam Wedge Evan Williams P. Langford
40 Swing Bill (FRA) 13 10–01 1066 66/1 Conor O'Farrell David Pipe Halewood Int Ltd
  • Great Britain unless stated.
  • Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.

Race overview
Placed horses
1: Pineau de Re
2: Balthazar King
3: Double Seven
4: Alvarado

The race was due to go off at 4:15 pm on 5 April 2014 but a false start delayed the showpiece steeplechase. The starter Hugh Barclay got the field away at the second attempt, but Battle Group refused to race.

Twirling Magnet, Burton Port and Big Shu were fallers over the first three fences, before the Canal Turn claimed three further casualties. Another three fell at Valentine's, including the 12–1 shot Long Run. Teaforthree, who was sent off joint-favourite with Double Seven at 10/1, unseated his mount at The Chair.[5][6]

Going onto the second circuit, 50/1 outsider Across the Bay held a strong lead until being all but carried out by the loose Tidal Bay before continuing almost tailed off. Shakalakaboomboom and Quito De La Roque were pulled up after the 20th and 21st fences respectively, then One in a Milan fell at Becher's Brook. Eighteen of the 39 runners made it over the final fence and on the long run-in to the finishing post Pineau de Re extended his lead over Balthazar King to win by five lengths. For Richard Johnson, aboard Balthazar King, this was his 18th attempt at the Grand National since his debut in the race in 1997, increasing an unwanted record for having taken most rides in the race without being victorious. A. P. McCoy finished third on Double Seven, and in doing so equalled Tom Olliver's 155-year record of having taken part in a record 19 Nationals. Alvarado was fourth and Rocky Creek came in fifth. Despite having been almost carried out, Across The Bay did complete the course, in 14th position.[7][8]

The charity World Horse Welfare issued a statement after the race declaring that they were pleased with the positive effect the modifications of the course and strict guidelines laid down to riders had on the welfare of the horses; however, the stewards issued a 12-day riding ban to Jack Doyle, whom they judged should have pulled up when tailed off as his mount, Wayward Prince, appeared in an exhausted state before falling at the third-last fence. Jockeys had been told in their briefing before the race to pull up any horse that was tailed off with no serious chance of winning prize money, which is paid out to 10th place.[9]

A stewards' inquiry was also called into the conduct of the jockeys at the start of the race, where it was claimed the welfare of assistant starter, Simon McNeill, who was knocked over but not injured, was compromised. While most of the 39 jockeys called to the inquiry initially attended, they all refused to return for a second inquiry after racing, issuing a statement in which they [the jockeys] had all agreed not to return to face the stewards as they were unhappy with the manner in which the inquiry was being conducted.[9]

Finishing order
Position Horse Jockey SP[4] Distance Prize money
1st Pineau De Re Leighton Aspell 1025 25/1 Won by 5 lengths £561,300
2nd Balthazar King Richard Johnson 1014 14/1 ​1 1⁄4 lengths £211,100
3rd Double Seven A. P. McCoy 1010 10/1 JF 10 lengths £105,500
4th Alvarado Paul Moloney 1033 33/1 ​2 1⁄2 lengths £52,700
5th Rocky Creek Noel Fehily 1016 16/1 Short head £26,500
6th Chance Du Roy Tom O'Brien 1033 33/1 3 lengths £13,200
7th Monbeg Dude Paul Carberry 1016 16/1 16 lengths £6,800
8th Raz De Maree Davy Condon 1050 50/1 Short head £3,600
9th Swing Bill Conor O'Farrell 1066 66/1 ​4 1⁄2 lengths £2,000
10th Kruzhlinin Wilson Renwick 1100 100/1 ​2 1⁄2 lengths £1,000
11th Buckers Bridge Andrew Lynch 1066 66/1 18 lengths
12th The Package Tom Scudamore 1014 14/1 6 lengths
13th Vesper Bell Katie Walsh 1040 40/1 2 lengths
14th Across The Bay Henry Brooke 1050 50/1 7 lengths
15th Mr. Moonshine Ryan Mania 1020 20/1 37 lengths
16th Prince De Beauchene Paul Townend 1020 20/1 33 lengths
17th Hunt Ball Andrew Tinkler 1050 50/1 1 length
18th Hawkes Point Ryan Mahon 1050 50/1 Last to complete

Non-finishers
Fence Horse Jockey SP[4] Fate
Start line Battle Group Brendan Powell 40/1 Refused to start
1 Twirling Magnet Richie McLernon 100/1 Fell
2 Burton Port Brian Harding 16/1 Unseated rider
3 (open ditch) Big Shu Peter Buchanan 14/1 Fell
6 (Becher's Brook) Last Time D'Albain Robbie Colgan 50/1 Unseated rider
8 (Canal Turn) Tidal Bay Sam Twiston-Davies 16/1 Unseated rider
8 (Canal Turn) Our Father Denis O'Regan 25/1 Unseated rider
8 (Canal Turn) Golan Way Michael Byrne 66/1 Fell
9 (Valentine's) Long Run Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen 12/1 Fell
9 (Valentine's) Mountainous Jamie Moore 40/1 Fell
9 (Valentine's) The Rainbow Hunter Aidan Coleman 25/1 Unseated rider
15 (The Chair) Teaforthree Nick Scholfield 10/1 JF Unseated rider
20 Shakalakaboomboom David Bass 16/1 Pulled up
21 Quito De La Roque Brian O'Connell 40/1 Pulled up
22 (Becher's Brook) One in a Milan Adam Wedge 40/1 Fell
22 (Becher's Brook) Triolo D'Alene Barry Geraghty 16/1 Pulled up
25 (Valentine's) Colbert Station Mark Walsh 33/1 Pulled up
26 Rose of the Moon Jake Greenall 50/1 Fell
26 Vintage Star Brian Hughes 50/1 Pulled up
27 (open ditch) Líon Na Bearnaí Davy Russell 33/1 Pulled up
28 (ditch) Wayward Prince Jack Doyle 66/1 Fell
29 Walkon Wayne Hutchinson 33/1 Pulled up

Broadcasting and media
Pineau De Re and Leighton Aspell, chased hard by Balthazar King and Richard Johnson and by Double Seven and AP McCoy. But at the elbow, it's Pineau De Re by six lengths. Inside the final furlong, Balthazar King, and after him Double Seven as they race up towards the line. Pineau De Re, the 11-year-old for trainer, Dr Richard Newland and Leighton Aspell is going to take out the Crabbie's Grand National! Pineau De Re wins, Balthazar King second, Double Seven third.

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, entering the second of their four-year deal for the race.

Clare Balding and Nick Luck presented Channel 4's coverage, supported by Jim McGrath, Mick Fitzgerald and Graham Cunningham. Reports were provided by Rishi Persad 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 second time. After the race, Rishi Persad, Mick Fitzgerald and Richard Hoiles guided the viewers through a detailed re-run of the race. Channel 4 aimed its build-up to the race at the once-a-year punter rather than the dedicated racing fan with a special broadcast of its Sunday magazine show Sunday Brunch, as a Grand National Special Weekend Brunch, which included outside broadcast from Aintree.[10]

Racing UK televised the race into bookmakers around the UK and Ireland.[11]

The BBC continued an unbroken run of 82 consecutive renewals of the race to be broadcast live on radio, dating back to 1927. The race was part of its Saturday Sport 5 Live broadcast, presented by Mark Pougatch with pre-race build-up from former National riders Andrew Thornton and Luke Harvey. Cornelius Lysaght interviewed connections in the ring and Rob Nothman provided market updates. The commentary team for the race itself was Malcolm Tomlinson, Darren Owen, Gary O'Brien and John Hunt, who called the finish.[12]

The Grand National also continued to move rapidly into new media with the majority of betting on the race taking place with online bookmakers. In addition to this, broadcaster Channel 4 provided an online app that could be downloaded for backers to track their runner during the race.[13]

See also

References
  1. "115 entered for £1-million Crabbie's Grand National | The Crabbies Grand National". thecrabbiesgrandnational.co.uk. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  2. "Grand National 2014: Where did your horse finish?". BBC Sport. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  3. "Factfiles for every runner in the 2014 Crabbie's Grand National". Aintree.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  4. "All starting prices for the 2014 Crabbie's Grand National". Aintree.co.uk. 5 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  5. Grand National 2014: Pineau De Re wins ahead of Balthazar King and Double Seven | Metro News
  6. "Grand National 2014: as it happened". The Guardian. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  7. Armytage, Marcus (5 April 2014). "Grand National 2014: Leighton Aspell rides Pineau De Re to victory at Aintree". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  8. "Grand National 2014: live". The Daily Telegraph. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  9. "Grand National 2014: World Horse Welfare pleased with safety". BBC Sport. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  10. Sunday Brunch – Channel 4
  11. 2014 Crabbie's Grand National Chase – Pineau De Re – YouTube
  12. BBC Radio 5 live – 5 live Sport, The Grand National, 2014
  13. Download Channel 4's Grand National 2014 Horse Tracker app • Sports Coverage
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