# 2015 Grand National

The 2015 Grand National (officially known as the 2015 Crabbie's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 168th annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase took place on 11 April 2015, the final day of a three-day meeting. A field of 39 runners competed for a share of the £1 million prize fund, and all returned safely to the stables following the race.
The 2015 National was won by Many Clouds, ridden by Leighton Aspell and trained by Oliver Sherwood. This was Aspell's second consecutive Grand National victory, having won aboard Pineau de Re in 2014. Many Clouds is owned by Trevor Hemmings, who also owned the winners in 2005 and 2011.
The race was sponsored by ginger-beer producer Crabbie's for the second year. It was broadcast live on television by Channel 4, which took over the television rights after 2012; and on radio by BBC Radio, which has held the radio rights since 1927, and Talksport, which was covering the race live for the second time.

## Race card

Entries for the 2015 Grand National closed on 3 February 2015 and 98 entrants were announced the following day, down from the record 115 that had been received for the 2014 race. Prior to the handicap announcement one horse was scratched, while another was ruled out as unqualified. Handicap weights were announced by the British Horseracing Authority in London on 17 February. A scratching deadline on 3 March saw the total number of horses reduced to 87; the second scratching deadline on 24 March reduced the field to 74. The five-day confirmation stage took place on 6 April and left 65 potential runners, reduced to 40 on 9 April.
One horse, number 14 Carlito Brigante, was subsequently declared a non-runner, reducing the field to 39 – the first time since 2004 that the maximum 40 did not start.
| No | Horse | Age | Handicap (st–lb) | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Lord Windermere (IRE) | 9 | 11–10 | Brian O'Connell | Jim Culloty (IRE) |
| 2 | Many Clouds (IRE) | 8 | 11–09 | Leighton Aspell | Oliver Sherwood |
| 3 | Unioniste (FRA) | 7 | 11–06 | Noel Fehily | Paul Nicholls |
| 4 | Rocky Creek (IRE) | 9 | 11–03 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Paul Nicholls |
| 5 | First Lieutenant (IRE) | 10 | 11–03 | Ms. Nina Carberry | Mouse Morris (IRE) |
| 6 | Balthazar King (IRE) | 11 | 11–02 | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs |
| 7 | Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) | 8 | 11–02 | Tony McCoy | Jonjo O'Neill (IRE) |
| 8 | Pineau de Re (FRA) | 12 | 11–00 | Daryl Jacob | Richard Newland |
| 9 | Ballycasey (IRE) | 8 | 10–13 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 10 | Spring Heeled (IRE) | 8 | 10–12 | Nick Scholfield | Jim Culloty (IRE) |
| 11 | Rebel Rebellion (IRE) | 10 | 10–12 | Ryan Mahon | Paul Nicholls |
| 12 | Dolatulo (FRA) | 8 | 10–11 | Dougie Costello | Warren Greatrex |
| 13 | Mon Parrain (FRA) | 9 | 10–11 | Sean Bowen | Paul Nicholls |
| 14 | Non-Runner | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 15 | Night in Milan (IRE) | 9 | 10–09 | James Reveley | Keith Reveley |
| 16 | Rubi Light (IRE) | 10 | 10–09 | Andrew Lynch | Robert Hennessy (IRE) |
| 17 | The Druids Nephew (IRE) | 8 | 10–09 | Aidan Coleman | Neil Mulholland |
| 18 | Cause of Causes (USA) | 7 | 10–09 | Paul Carberry | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 19 | Godsmejudge (IRE) | 9 | 10–08 | Wayne Hutchinson | Alan King |
| 20 | Al Co (FRA) | 10 | 10–08 | Denis O'Regan | Peter Bowen |
| 21 | Monbeg Dude (IRE) | 10 | 10–07 | Liam Treadwell | Michael Scudamore |
| 22 | Corrin Wood (IRE) | 8 | 10–07 | David Casey | Donald McCain |
| 23 | The Rainbow Hunter | 11 | 10–07 | David Bass | Kim Bailey |
| 24 | Saint Are (FRA) | 9 | 10–06 | Paddy Brennan | Tom George |
| 25 | Across the Bay (IRE) | 11 | 10–06 | Henry Brooke | Donald McCain |
| 26 | Tranquil Sea (IRE) | 13 | 10–05 | Gavin Sheehan | Warren Greatrex |
| 27 | Oscar Time (IRE) | 14 | 10–05 | Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen | Robert Waley-Cohen |
| 28 | Bob Ford (IRE) | 8 | 10–04 | Paul Townend | Rebecca Curtis |
| 29 | Super Duty (IRE) | 9 | 10–04 | Will Kennedy | Ian Williams |
| 30 | Wyck Hill (IRE) | 11 | 10–04 | Tom Cannon | David Bridgwater |
| 31 | Gas Line Boy (IRE) | 9 | 10–04 | James Best | Philip Hobbs |
| 32 | Chance Du Roy (FRA) | 11 | 10–04 | Tom O'Brien | Philip Hobbs |
| 33 | Portrait King (IRE) | 10 | 10–03 | Davy Condon | Maurice Phelan (IRE) |
| 34 | Owega Star (IRE) | 8 | 10–03 | Robbie Power | Peter Fahey (IRE) |
| 35 | River Choice (FRA) | 12 | 10–03 | David Cottin | Richard Chotard (FRA) |
| 36 | Court by Surprise (FRA) | 10 | 10–03 | Richie McLernon | Emma Lavelle |
| 37 | Alvarado (FRA) | 10 | 10–03 | Paul Moloney | Fergal O'Brien |
| 38 | Soll | 10 | 10–02 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 39 | Ely Brown (IRE) | 10 | 10–02 | Jonathan Burke | Charlie Longsdon |
| 40 | Royale Knight | 9 | 10–02 | Brendan Powell | Richard Newland |
* Great Britain unless stated.
* Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.
Robbie McNamara was due to ride Lord Windermere but withdrew due to injury.

## Race overview

The race saw a larger than usual number of fallers on the first lap, including the favoured Balthazar King, whose fall at the Canal Turn led to the field being diverted around that fence on the final lap. Jockey Ruby Walsh (whose horse Ballycasey was brought down) helped stewards alert the field to the diversion. Balthazar King suffered broken ribs in the fall.
Many eyes were on Tony McCoy on the favourite Shutthefrontdoor on what was his last Grand National. He told the media he would retire immediately after the race if he won but his mount ran out of stamina on the home turn and eventually finished fifth.
It was left to Many Clouds, ridden by Leighton Aspell, to come through to win the race. Aspell became the first rider to win successive Nationals since Brian Fletcher rode Red Rum to victory in 1973 and 1974. Saint Are finished second, with Monbeg Dude third, and Alvarado fourth for the second time. Pineau de Re, the previous year's winner and now ridden by Daryl Jacob, finished 12th.

## Finishing order

Nineteen runners completed the course as follows:
| Position | Horse | Jockey | SP | Distance | Prize money |
| 1st | Many Clouds | Leighton Aspell | 1025 25/1 | Won by 1+3⁄4 lengths | £561,300 |
| 2nd | Saint Are | Paddy Brennan | 1025 25/1 | 6 lengths | £211,100 |
| 3rd | Monbeg Dude | Liam Treadwell | 1040 40/1 | 3+1⁄2 lengths | £105,500 |
| 4th | Alvarado | Paul Moloney | 1020 20/1 | 1+1⁄2 lengths | £52,700 |
| 5th | Shutthefrontdoor | Tony McCoy | 1006 6/1 F | 2+1⁄4 lengths | £26,500 |
| 6th | Royale Knight | Brendan Powell | 1025 25/1 | 10 lengths | £13,200 |
| 7th | Tranquil Sea | Gavin Sheehan | 1033 33/1 | 2+1⁄4 lengths | £6,800 |
| 8th | Cause of Causes | Paul Carberry | 1014 14/1 | 14 lengths | £3,600 |
| 9th | Soll | Tom Scudamore | 1009 9/1 | 10 lengths | £2,000 |
| 10th | Chance Du Roy | Tom O'Brien | 1040 40/1 | 5 lengths | £1,000 |
| 11th | Mon Parrain | Sean Bowen | 1033 33/1 | 1+1⁄2 lengths |
| 12th | Pineau de Re | Daryl Jacob | 1025 25/1 | 6 lengths |
| 13th | Owega Star | Robbie Power | 1050 50/1 | 25 lengths |
| 14th | Spring Heeled | Nick Scholfield | 1025 25/1 | 2+1⁄2 lengths |
| 15th | Oscar Time | Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen | 1020 20/1 | 3+3⁄4 lengths |
| 16th | First Lieutenant | Ms. Nina Carberry | 1014 14/1 | 5 lengths |
| 17th | Rocky Creek | Sam Twiston-Davies | 1008 8/1 | 2+1⁄2 lengths |
| 18th | Night in Milan | James Reveley | 1020 20/1 | 3+1⁄4 lengths |
| 19th | Dolatulo | Dougie Costello | 1066 66/1 | Last to complete |

## Non-finishers

| Fence | Horse | Jockey | SP | Fate |
| 1 | Ely Brown | Brian Hughes | 100/1 | Fell |
| 1 | Gas Line Boy | James Best | 66/1 | Fell |
| 1 | Al Co | Denis O'Regan | 18/1 | Unseated rider |
| 3 (open ditch) | Rubi Light | Andrew Lynch | 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 4 | Corrin Wood | David Casey | 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 5 | Unioniste | Noel Fehily | 16/1 | Fell |
| 6 (Becher's Brook) | River Choice | David Cottin | 100/1 | Fell |
| 8 (Canal Turn) | Balthazar King | Richard Johnson | 17/2 | Fell |
| 8 (Canal Turn) | Ballycasey | Ruby Walsh | 25/1 | Brought down |
| 19 | Court by Surprise | Richie McLernon | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 25 (Valentine's) | Across the Bay | Henry Brooke | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 25 (Valentine's) | Super Duty | Will Kennedy | 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 25 (Valentine's) | Lord Windermere | Brian O'Connell | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 26 | The Rainbow Hunter | David Bass | 33/1 | Fell |
| 26 | The Druids Nephew | Aidan Coleman | 10/1 | Fell |
| 27 (open ditch) | Rebel Rebellion | Ryan Mahon | 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 28 (ditch) | Portrait King | Davy Condon | 50/1 | Fell |
| 29 | Godsmejudge | Wayne Hutchinson | 18/1 | Pulled up |
| 29 | Wyck Hill | Tom Cannon | 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 29 | Bob Ford | Paul Townend | 50/1 | Pulled up |

## Broadcasting and media

   They make the long run-in now, and Many Clouds still out in front by two or three lengths to Saint Are. Monbeg Dude still stays on, then Shutthefrontdoor. A furlong left to go, passing the elbow. Many Clouds by three lengths to Saint Are. Many Clouds is getting tired. Saint Are stays on down the outside. Many Clouds by two lengths, by a length and a half! Here comes the line, it's Leighton Aspell! Back to back Grand Nationals, he wins on Many Clouds! Many Clouds has won the National.
Channel 4 lead commentator Simon Holt describes the climax of the race.
With Clare Balding unavailable to present Channel 4's coverage, due to her BBC commitments as The Boat Race was unusually held on the same day, Nick Luck therefore led the coverage, being the first male lead presenter of the race since 1999. Luck's usual role of anchoring the event from the trackside studio was filled by Emma Spencer, supported by Jim McGrath and Graham Cunningham. Reports were provided by Mick Fitzgerald and Alice Plunkett and betting updates by Tanya Stevenson and Brian Gleeson. To broaden the scope of its coverage, flat racing jockey Frankie Dettori joined the team as a guest reporter for race day and more emphasis was placed on style and fashion of racegoers and celebrities, with fashion expert Gok Wan presenting segments on both race day and the preceding 'Ladies Day' on the festival meeting.
The commentary team was by Richard Hoiles, Ian Bartlett and Simon Holt, who called the winner home for the third time. Following the race, Spencer, Fitzgerald and Hoiles guided viewers on a fence-by-fence analysis of the race.
Further Channel 4 programming in the build-up to the race included special editions of chatshow Alan Carr: Chatty Man and Sunday Brunch, the latter being shown under the title of Weekend Brunch, with segments of the programme coming direct from Aintree.
The BBC continued an unbroken run of 83 consecutive renewals of the race to be broadcast live on radio, dating back to 1927. The race was part of its 5 Live Sport 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.