# 2017 Grand National

The 2017 Grand National (officially known as the 2017 Randox Health Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 170th official running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase over a distance of 4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km) took place on 8 April 2017, the final day of a three-day meeting. A maximum field of 40 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million.
Randox Health is the new sponsor of the main race and the festival itself for the next five years. It was broadcast live on television by ITV for the first time. 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 fourth time.
The race was won by One For Arthur, only the second horse trained in Scotland to win the Grand National (the other being Rubstic in 1979). One For Arthur was ridden by Derek Fox and trained by Lucinda Russell, and was sent off at odds of 1014 14/1.

## Race card

A total of 110 entries were received for consideration in the 2017 Grand National and were announced on 1 February 2017. Among the early favourites were Don Poli, who won three Grade 1 races in the 2015–16 season, and 2016 National runner-up The Last Samuri. The 2015 winner, Many Clouds, who was also among the ante-post favourites, died of a pulmonary haemorrhage shortly before the entries were announced.
The weights were announced on 14 February and headed by Lexus Chase winner Outlander, however, trainer Gordon Elliott indicated that he would not run. The top five weighted horses were all Irish-trained, including three by Elliott. One runner (Otago Trail) was scratched before the weights were assigned. Ninety-five entries remained after the first scratching deadline on 28 February. Elliott, who had earlier expressed his dissatisfaction with the weights assigned to his horses, withdrew several of his entries, including Outlander, Empire of Dirt and Don Poli, leaving Carlingford Lough as the new top weight. Vieux Lion Rouge, who won the Grand National Trial at Haydock, was now the favourite with the bookmakers, at 12/1. The field was reduced to 79 following the second scratching deadline on 21 March. The five-day confirmation process began on 3 April with 70 horses advancing, following the withdrawal of top-weight Carlingford Lough. The final field was announced on 6 April, including four reserves in case of any withdrawals before 1 pm on 7 April. One of the top 40 horses going into the confirmation stage (Pendra) withdrew. There were no further withdrawals before the deadline, leaving the following 40 starters:
| No | Horse | Age | Handicap (st–lb) | SP | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | The Last Samuri (IRE) | 9 | 11-10 | 1016 16/1 | David Bass | Kim Bailey |
| 2 | More Of That (IRE) | 9 | 11-06 | 1016 16/1 | Barry Geraghty | Jonjo O'Neill |
| 3 | Shantou Flyer (IRE) | 7 | 11-05 | 1050 50/1 | Jonathan Moore | Rebecca Curtis |
| 4 | Perfect Candidate (IRE) | 10 | 11-05 | 1033 33/1 | Paddy Brennan | Fergal O'Brien |
| 5 | Saphir Du Rheu (FR) | 8 | 11-05 | 1016 16/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Paul Nicholls |
| 6 | Roi Des Francs (FR) | 8 | 11-03 | 1050 50/1 | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 7 | Wounded Warrior (IRE) | 8 | 11-02 | 1033 33/1 | Sean Flanagan | Noel Meade (IRE) |
| 8 | Wonderful Charm (FR) | 9 | 11-02 | 1028 28/1 | Ms Katie Walsh | Paul Nicholls |
| 9 | Tenor Nivernais (FR) | 10 | 11-01 | 1040 40/1 | Aidan Coleman | Venetia Williams |
| 10 | Blaklion | 8 | 11-01 | 1008 8/1 F | Noel Fehily | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 11 | Drop Out Joe | 9 | 11-01 | 1033 33/1 | Tom O'Brien | Charlie Longsdon |
| 12 | Le Mercurey (FR) | 7 | 11-00 | 1050 50/1 | Sean Bowen | Paul Nicholls |
| 13 | The Young Master | 8 | 10–13 | 1020 20/1 | Mr Sam Waley-Cohen | Neil Mulholland |
| 14 | Cause of Causes (USA) | 9 | 10–13 | 1016 16/1 | Mr Jamie Codd | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 15 | Regal Encore (IRE) | 9 | 10–13 | 1033 33/1 | Robbie Power | Anthony Honeyball |
| 16 | Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) | 8 | 10–12 | 1012 12/1 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 17 | Definitly Red (IRE) | 8 | 10–12 | 1010 10/1 | Danny Cook | Brian Ellison |
| 18 | Ucello Conti (FR) | 9 | 10–12 | 1020 20/1 | Daryl Jacob | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 19 | Double Shuffle (IRE) | 7 | 10–12 | 1033 33/1 | Adrian Heskin | Tom George |
| 20 | Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) | 10 | 10–12 | 1050 50/1 | Charlie Deutsch | Venetia Williams |
| 21 | Pleasant Company (IRE) | 9 | 10–12 | 1011 11/1 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 22 | One For Arthur (IRE) | 8 | 10–11 | 1014 14/1 | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell |
| 23 | Ballynagour (IRE) | 11 | 10–11 | 1066 66/1 | David Noonan | David Pipe |
| 24 | O'Faolains Boy (IRE) | 10 | 10–11 | 1050 50/1 | Paul Townend | Rebecca Curtis |
| 25 | Highland Lodge (IRE) | 11 | 10–11 | 1025 25/1 | Henry Brooke | James Moffatt |
| 26 | Bishops Road (IRE) | 9 | 10-10 | 1066 66/1 | Jamie Moore | Kerry Lee |
| 27 | Lord Windermere (IRE) | 11 | 10-10 | 1033 33/1 | Leighton Aspell | Jim Culloty (IRE) |
| 28 | Saint Are (FR) | 11 | 10-10 | 1025 25/1 | Davy Russell | Tom George |
| 29 | Vicente (FR) | 8 | 10-10 | 1016 16/1 | Brian Hughes | Paul Nicholls |
| 30 | Just A Par (IRE) | 10 | 10-09 | 1033 33/1 | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls |
| 31 | Measureofmydreams (IRE) | 9 | 10-09 | 1040 40/1 | Donagh Meyler | Noel Meade (IRE) |
| 32 | Raz de Maree (FR) | 12 | 10-09 | 1033 33/1 | Ger Fox | Gavin Cromwell (IRE) |
| 33 | Stellar Notion (IRE) | 9 | 10-09 | 1050 50/1 | David Mullins | Henry de Bromhead (IRE) |
| 34 | Rogue Angel (IRE) | 9 | 10-08 | 1020 20/1 | Bryan Cooper | Mouse Morris (IRE) |
| 35 | Cocktails At Dawn | 9 | 10-08 | 1033 33/1 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 36 | Thunder And Roses (IRE) | 9 | 10-07 | 1025 25/1 | Mark Enright | Mouse Morris (IRE) |
| 37 | Gas Line Boy (IRE) | 11 | 10-07 | 1050 50/1 | Robert Dunne | Ian Williams |
| 38 | Goodtoknow | 9 | 10-07 | 1066 66/1 | Jake Greenall | Kerry Lee |
| 39 | La Vaticane (FR) | 8 | 10-06 | 1080 80/1 | Richie McLernon | David Pipe |
| 40 | Doctor Harper (IRE) | 9 | 10-06 | 1050 50/1 | Connor O'Farrell | David Pipe |
* Great Britain unless stated.
* Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.
* Liam Treadwell was due to ride Tenor Nivernais but was replaced by Coleman after getting injured.

## Race overview

Two false starts occurred before the race could get underway, the first caused by several horses running off too keenly and the second by The Young Master and Raz de Maree jumping the gun from a standing start. When the race eventually began properly, the 50/1 outsider Roi Des Francs led the field on the first circuit with Rogue Angel and Highland Lodge also prominent. The 10/1 second-favourite Definitly Red was pulled up at Valentine's, whilst Saphir Du Rheu fell at the 11th.
As the horses rounded the turn to begin the second circuit, Roi Des Francs was carried out by a loose horse and rejoined the field in mid-division, leaving Rogue Angel as the new leader. Saint Are, Blaklion and Vieux Lion Rouge remained close behind the leaders. With five fences remaining, the 8/1 favourite Blaklion moved up to challenge Rogue Angel for the lead, with Saint Are going third and Cause of Causes coming into contention. With two fences left to jump, Blaklion raced into a three-length lead over Rogue Angel, as Vieux Lion Rouge advanced into third and One For Arthur made significant progress through the field.
At the second-last, One For Arthur jumped into the back of the leader Blaklion, with Cause of Causes and Gas Line Boy moving up to contest first place. The four were all stride for stride as they took the last fence, but One For Arthur jumped into the lead and accelerated to go three lengths clear at the elbow, increasing that advantage in the final furlong as he crossed the finish line 4+1⁄2 lengths ahead of Cause of Causes in second, with 3+1⁄2 lengths back to Saint Are, who ran on well to clinch third by half a length from Blaklion.
There were no fatalities and all 40 runners returned safely to the stables.

## Finishing order

The 19 horses to complete the course finished as follows:
| Position | Horse | Jockey | SP | Distance | Prize money |
| 1 | One For Arthur | Derek Fox | 1014 14/1 | 4+1⁄2 lengths | £561,300 |
| 2 | Cause of Causes | Mr Jamie Codd | 1016 16/1 | 3+3⁄4 lengths | £211,100 |
| 3 | Saint Are | Davy Russell | 1025 25/1 | 1⁄2 length | £105,500 |
| 4 | Blaklion | Noel Fehily | 1008 8/1 F | 8 lengths | £52,700 |
| 5 | Gas Line Boy | Robert Dunne | 1050 50/1 | 10 lengths | £26,500 |
| 6 | Vieux Lion Rouge | Tom Scudamore | 1012 12/1 | 1 length | £13,200 |
| 7 | Lord Windermere | Leighton Aspell | 1033 33/1 | Neck | £6,800 |
| 8 | Regal Encore | Robbie Power | 1033 33/1 | Head | £3,600 |
| 9 | Pleasant Company | Ruby Walsh | 1011 11/1 | 14 lengths | £2,000 |
| 10 | Houblon Des Obeaux | Charlie Deutsch | 1050 50/1 | 2+3⁄4 lengths | £1,000 |
| 11 | Ballynagour | David Noonan | 1066 66/1 | 1+1⁄4 lengths | |
| 12 | Le Mercurey | Sean Bowen | 1050 50/1 | 3+1⁄2 lengths | |
| 13 | Goodtoknow | Jake Greenall | 1066 66/1 | 3+1⁄2 lengths | |
| 14 | Just A Par | Harry Cobden | 1033 33/1 | 6 lengths | |
| 15 | La Vaticane | Richie McLernon | 1080 80/1 | 7 lengths | |
| 16 | The Last Samuri | David Bass | 1016 16/1 | 6 lengths | |
| 17 | Tenor Nivernais | Aidan Coleman | 1040 40/1 | 7 lengths | |
| 18 | Roi Des Francs | Jack Kennedy | 1050 50/1 | 1 length | |
| 19 | Wonderful Charm | Katie Walsh | 1028 28/1 | Last to complete | |
* Distance measures from smallest to largest winning margin: nose, short head, head, short neck, neck, one length, a distance.

## Non-finishers

The runners who failed to complete were as follows:
| Fence | Horse | Jockey | SP | Fate |
| 1st | Cocktails At Dawn | Nico de Boinville | 1033 33/1 | Fell |
| 1st | Vicente | Brian Hughes | 1016 16/1 | Fell |
| 6th (Becher's Brook) | The Young Master | Mr Sam Waley-Cohen | 1020 20/1 | Fell |
| 6th (Becher's Brook) | Raz De Maree | Ger Fox | 1033 33/1 | Unseated rider |
| 9th (Valentine's) | Definitly Red | Danny Cook | 1010 10/1 | Pulled up |
| 9th (Valentine's) | Thunder And Roses | Mark Enright | 1025 25/1 | Unseated rider |
| 11th | Saphir Du Rheu | Sam Twiston-Davies | 1016 16/1 | Unseated rider |
| 13th | Stellar Notion | David Mullins | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 15th (The Chair) | Measureofmydreams | Donagh Meyler | 1040 40/1 | Unseated rider |
| 22nd (Becher's Brook) | Ucello Conti | Daryl Jacob | 1020 20/1 | Unseated rider |
| 26th | Perfect Candidate | Paddy Brennan | 1033 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 26th | Shantou Flyer | Jonathan Moore | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 29th | Wounded Warrior | Sean Flanagan | 1033 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 29th | Double Shuffle | Adrian Heskin | 1033 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 29th | Doctor Harper | Connor O'Farrell | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 30th | Highland Lodge | Henry Brooke | 1025 25/1 | Pulled up |
| 30th | Rogue Angel | Bryan Cooper | 1020 20/1 | Pulled up |
| 30th | O'Faolains Boy | Paul Townend | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 30th | Drop Out Joe | Tom O'Brien | 1033 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 30th | More Of That | Barry Geraghty | 1016 16/1 | Pulled up |
| 30th | Bishops Road | Jamie Moore | 1066 66/1 | Pulled up |

## Broadcasting and media

   As they head down towards the last, One for Arthur for Scotland, Blaklion, Cause of Causes and Wonderful Charm on the inside, they are four deep heading to the last! And it's One for Arthur who accelerates, and moves to the lead from Cause of Causes, as they head up this long run in. One for Arthur is out in front, Cause of Causes in second place for Jamie Codd, Blaklion now back in third as they head towards the elbow in the National. And it's One for Arthur, out in front for Derek Fox and Lucinda Russell, beginning to pull three lengths clear from Cause of Causes, back in third is Blaklion, Saint Are is running on late in the day but it's One for Arthur, who crept into the race for the first circuit and a half, and is keeping up the gallop towards the line! And Scottish flags are flying high! One for Arthur won it!
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 ITV. This was the first year that ITV broadcast the race live, following the decision by Channel 4 to drop the event and horse racing in general in 2016.
The coverage was led by Ed Chamberlin. Retired champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald provided expert opinions throughout the coverage, with reports from Brough Scott, Luke Harvey, Oli Bell and Alice Plunkett and betting updates by Matt Chapman. The commentary team was Mark Johnson, Ian Bartlett and Richard Hoiles, who called the winner home for the first time in his terrestrial television commentary career.