# 2013 Grand National

The 2013 Grand National (officially known as the John Smith's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 166th 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 6 April 2013. The maximum permitted field of 40 runners competed for a share of the £975,000 prize fund, which made the National the most valuable jump race in Europe.
The race was won by 66/1 shot Auroras Encore, who was ridden by jockey Ryan Mania for trainer Sue Smith. The 11/2 favourite Seabass, ridden by Katie Walsh, finished in 13th place. During the race only two horses fell and six unseated their riders; 17 completed the course and all 40 that ran returned safely to the stables.
The race was broadcast on Channel 4 for the first time as it took over the broadcasting rights for a four-year period to 2016. The BBC had broadcast the race every year since it was first televised in 1960 and first aired on radio in 1927. The BBC retain the UK radio coverage rights.

## Safety changes

In addition to modifications made for the previous year's race, Aintree announced that a number of further changes had been made for the 2013 National.
Twelve of the 16 fences on the course were rebuilt with the timber frames within them replaced by a softer material known as "plastic birch". The fences are still covered with at least 14 inches of spruce and will remain the same height. The starting line was also moved 90 yards closer to the first fence, further away from the spectators' stands and thereby reducing slightly the overall distance.
Aintree and the Professional Jockeys' Association jointly issued a note urging participating jockeys to avoid a false start by paying more attention to the starter's orders, and to better control their speed during the race.
In response to the further changes, David Muir of the RSPCA said: "They have done more than I thought they would. Fundamentally the changes that have been made are major already. They've taken the cores of the fences out, there is a cooling down area now, there's a water system and there's a reduction in the number of drop fences; [however] we'd still like to see changes to Becher's Brook, the drop is still a concern."

## Race card

Entries for the race had to be submitted by 30 January 2013. Aintree announced that 84 horses had been entered for consideration in the 2013 Grand National, including last year's runner-up Sunnyhillboy, as well as Seabass and Cappa Bleu, third and fourth in the 2012 race respectively. Others hoping to return to the National for 2013 included Oscar Time, Big Fella Thanks, What A Friend, Cloudy Lane, Calgary Bay, and 2011 winner Ballabriggs.
Eight of the entrants were trained in Wales, including Cappa Bleu; the only Welsh-trained horse to have won the Grand National was Kirkland in 1905. Thirty-two of the 84 were trained in Ireland.
Handicap weights were announced by the British Horseracing Authority in London on 12 February. The top weight of 11 st 10 lb was allotted to Tidal Bay, trained by last year's winning trainer Paul Nicholls, however the horse was withdrawn two days later with a stress fracture of the lower cannon bone on his right hind leg. 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander now carries top weight. The National's official betting partner, Betfred, put Seabass (11 st 2 lb), On His Own (10 st 10 lb), and Prince De Beauchene (11 st 3 lb) as joint-favourites upon announcement of the handicaps. Prince De Beauchene was later withdrawn with a stress fracture.
There were scratchings' deadlines on 26 February and 19 March, after which 57 entries remained. 1 April marked the five-day confirmation stage at which 49 horses remained and were ranked according to their ratings. On 4 April the final field of 40 runners was declared:
| No | Horse | Age | Handicap (st-lb) | Jockey | Trainer | Owner(s) |
| 1 | Imperial Commander (IRE) | 12 | 11–10 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Our Friends in the North |
| 2 | What A Friend | 10 | 11-09 | Sam Thomas | Paul Nicholls | G. Mason & A. Ferguson |
| 3 | Weird Al (IRE) | 10 | 11-08 | Timmy Murphy | Donald McCain | B. D. Holden |
| 4 | Quel Esprit (FRA) | 9 | 11-07 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins (IRE) | Red Barn Syndicate |
| 5 | Big Fella Thanks | 11 | 11-06 | Denis O'Regan | Tom George | Crossed Fingers Partnership |
| 6 | Seabass (IRE) | 10 | 11-06 | Ms Katie Walsh | Ted Walsh (IRE) | Gunners Syndicate |
| 7 | Roberto Goldback (IRE) | 11 | 11-06 | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | S. Munir |
| 8 | Sunnyhillboy (IRE) | 10 | 11-04 | Richie McLernon | Jonjo O'Neill | J. P. McManus |
| 9 | Ballabriggs (IRE) | 12 | 11-04 | Jason Maguire | Donald McCain | T. Hemmings |
| 10 | Teaforthree (IRE) | 9 | 11-03 | Nick Scholfield | Rebecca Curtis | T437 |
| 11 | Across the Bay (IRE) | 9 | 11-02 | Henry Brooke | Donald McCain | Scotch Piper Syndicate |
| 12 | Join Together (IRE) | 8 | 11-02 | Daryl Jacob | Paul Nicholls | I. Fogg & P. Barber |
| 13 | Colbert Station (IRE) | 9 | 11-01 | Tony McCoy | Ted Walsh (IRE) | J. P. McManus |
| 14 | Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) | 11 | 11-00 | Andrew J. McNamara | Thomas Cooper (IRE) | Goat Racing Syndicate |
| 15 | On His Own (IRE) | 9 | 11-00 | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins (IRE) | A. & G. Wylie |
| 16 | Joncol (IRE) | 10 | 10–13 | Robbie Power | Paul Nolan (IRE) | K. Browne |
| 17 | Balthazar King (IRE) | 9 | 10–12 | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs | The Brushmakers |
| 18 | Cappa Bleu (IRE) | 11 | 10–11 | Paul Moloney | Evan Williams | W. & A. Rucker |
| 19 | Oscar Time (IRE) | 12 | 10–11 | Mr Sam Waley-Cohen | Martin Lynch (IRE) | R. Waley-Cohen |
| 20 | Always Waining (IRE) | 12 | 10–10 | Tom O'Brien | Peter Bowen | P. & L. Douglas |
| 21 | Tatenen (FRA) | 9 | 10–10 | Andrew Thornton | Richard Rowe | Stewart family |
| 22 | Treacle (IRE) | 12 | 10-09 | Noel Fehily | Tom Taaffe (IRE) | B. Nielsen |
| 23 | Lost Glory (NZL) | 8 | 10-08 | Mark Walsh | Jonjo O'Neill | J. P. McManus |
| 24 | Swing Bill (FRA) | 12 | 10-08 | Conor O'Farrell | David Pipe | D. Johnson |
| 25 | Saint Are (FRA) | 7 | 10-08 | Dougie Costello | Tim Vaughan | D. Fox |
| 26 | Chicago Grey (IRE) | 10 | 10-07 | Paul Carberry | Gordon Elliott (IRE) | J. Earls |
| 27 | Quiscover Fontaine (FRA) | 9 | 10-07 | David Casey | Willie Mullins (IRE) | J. P. McManus |
| 28 | Rare Bob (IRE) | 11 | 10-06 | Bryan Cooper | Dessie Hughes (IRE) | D A Syndicate |
| 29 | The Rainbow Hunter | 9 | 10-06 | Aidan Coleman | Kim Bailey | May We Never Be Found Out |
| 30 | Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) | 10 | 10-06 | Martin Ferris | Noel Glynn (IRE) | N. Glynn |
| 31 | Harry the Viking | 8 | 10–06 | Ryan Mahon | Paul Nicholls | A. Ferguson, G. Mason, R. Wood & P. Done |
| 32 | Mr. Moonshine (IRE) | 9 | 10-05 | Peter Buchanan | Sue Smith | A. Strang-Steel, D. Pryde & J. Beaumont |
| 33 | Mumbles Head (IRE) | 12 | 10-04 | Jamie Moore | Peter Bowen | P. Thompson |
| 34 | Ninetieth Minute (IRE) | 10 | 10-03 | Niall Madden | Tom Taaffe (IRE) | D. Cox |
| 35 | Auroras Encore (IRE) | 11 | 10-03 | Ryan Mania | Sue Smith | D. Pryde, J. Beaumont & D. P. van der Hoeven |
| 36 | Tarquinius (FRA) | 10 | 10-02 | Wilson Renwick | Gordon Elliott (IRE) | R. Gilbert |
| 37 | Any Currency (IRE) | 10 | 10-00 | Ian Popham | Martin Keighley | Cash Is King |
| 38 | Major Malarkey (IRE) | 10 | 09-13 | Tom Scudamore | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Baker, Dodd & Cooke |
| 39 | Soll | 8 | 09-12 | Mark Grant | Jo Hughes | D. Mossop |
| 40 | Viking Blond (FRA) | 8 | 09-11 | Adam Wedge | Nigel Twiston-Davies | C. Mould |
* Great Britain unless stated.
* Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.

## Race overview

The starter Hugh Barclay got the field of 40 horses off and running at the first attempt, the start line having been moved 90 yards closer to the first fence and further away from the spectators' stands. Seabass was sent off as 11/2 favourite, with jockey Katie Walsh becoming the first female rider to start a Grand National as favourite. Her brother Ruby Walsh was second-favourite on board On His Own.
For the first time in history, all 40 runners made it to the Canal Turn – the eighth of the 30 fences – without mishap. Across the Bay led over the Turn from Balthazar King, while three riders were unseated. Andrew Thornton became the first of only two jockeys in the 2013 National to fall from his mount as the field streamed over the 12th fence.
The Chair is the penultimate fence on the first circuit and marked the end of the race for champion jockey Tony McCoy who was unseated from Colbert Station. Thirty-two of the 40 participants were still in contention going onto the second circuit, led by Across the Bay from Balthazar King, Oscar Time, and Teaforthree.
All the remaining runners safely jumped the second Becher's Brook, the first time since 1996 that the famous fence had not claimed any fallers. Ruby Walsh fell at Valentine's (the 25th fence) after which several runners had been pulled up, leaving 21 still racing. Irish-trained Oscar Time and Welsh-trained Teaforthree led the field, with Auroras Encore emerging in third position. At the final fence, Paul Carberry pulled up Chicago Grey while Mumbles Head refused and two other horses unseated their riders.
At the elbow on the 494-yard run-in, Auroras Encore had extended his lead over Teaforthree and Oscar Time, the latter fading and quickly overtaken by Cappa Bleu. At the line, the pairing of Auroras Encore and Ryan Mania – taking his first ride in the Grand National – won by a distance of nine lengths, Cappa Bleu pipped Teaforthree for second place, Oscar Time finished in fourth and Rare Bob was fifth. Seventeen runners completed the course.

## Finishing order

| Position | Horse | Jockey | SP | Distance | Prize money |
| 1 | Auroras Encore (IRE) | Ryan Mania | 1066 66/1 | Won by 9 lengths | £547,268 |
| 2 | Cappa Bleu (IRE) | Paul Moloney | 1012 12/1 | Neck | £205,823 |
| 3 | Teaforthree (IRE) | Nick Scholfield | 1010 10/1 | 11 lengths | £102,863 |
| 4 | Oscar Time (IRE) | Mr Sam Waley-Cohen | 1066 66/1 | 8 lengths | £51,383 |
| 5 | Rare Bob (IRE) | Bryan Cooper | 1016 16/1 | 6 lengths | £25,838 |
| 6 | Swing Bill (FRA) | Conor O'Farrell | 1080 80/1 | 10 lengths | £12,870 |
| 7 | Soll | Mark Grant | 1033 33/1 | 3 lengths | £6,630 |
| 8 | Tarquinius (FRA) | Wilson Renwick | 1100 100/1 | 1+1⁄2 lengths | £3,510 |
| 9 | Saint Are (FRA) | Dougie Costello | 1050 50/1 | 12 lengths | £1,950 |
| 10 | Always Waining (IRE) | Tom O'Brien | 1033 33/1 | 1+1⁄2 lengths | £975 |
| 11 | Major Malarkey (IRE) | Tom Scudamore | 1050 50/1 | 1+1⁄2 lengths |
| 12 | Join Together (IRE) | Daryl Jacob | 1025 25/1 | 22 lengths |
| 13 | Seabass (IRE) | Ms Katie Walsh | 1005.5 11/2 F | 1+1⁄4 lengths |
| 14 | Across the Bay (IRE) | Henry Brooke | 1040 40/1 | 3+1⁄2 lengths |
| 15 | Balthazar King (IRE) | Richard Johnson | 1016 16/1 | 1 length |
| 16 | Quiscover Fontaine (FRA) | David Casey | 1040 40/1 | 44 lengths |
| 17 | Any Currency (IRE) | Ian Popham | 1100 100/1 | Last to complete |

## Non-finishers

| Fence | Horse | Jockey | SP | Fate |
| 8 (Canal Turn) | The Rainbow Hunter | Aidan Coleman | 1050 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 8 (Canal Turn) | Treacle (IRE) | Noel Fehily | 1033 33/1 | Unseated rider |
| 8 (Canal Turn) | Big Fella Thanks | Denis O'Regan | 1033 33/1 | Unseated rider |
| 11 | Ninetieth Minute (IRE) | Niall Madden | 1080 80/1 | Pulled up |
| 12 | Tatenen (FRA) | Andrew Thornton | 1100 100/1 | Fell |
| 14 | Viking Blond (FRA) | Adam Wedge | 1066 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 15 (The Chair) | Colbert Station (IRE) | Tony McCoy | 1012 12/1 | Unseated rider |
| 17 | Lost Glory (NZL) | Mark Walsh | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 19 (open ditch) | Joncol (IRE) | Robbie Power | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 19 (open ditch) | What A Friend | Sam Thomas | 1033 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 21 | Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) | Martin Ferris | 1066 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Imperial Commander (IRE) | Sam Twiston-Davies | 1011 11/1 | Pulled up |
| 23 (Foinavon) | Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) | Andrew McNamara | 1066 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 23 (Foinavon) | Quel Esprit (FRA) | Paul Townend | 1040 40/1 | Pulled up |
| 23 (Foinavon) | Weird Al (IRE) | Timmy Murphy | 1066 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 24 (Canal Turn) | Ballabriggs (IRE) | Jason Maguire | 1020 20/1 | Pulled up |
| 25 (Valentine's) | On His Own (IRE) | Ruby Walsh | 1008 8/1 | Fell |
| 25 (Valentine's) | Harry the Viking | Ryan Mahon | 1040 40/1 | Pulled up |
| 27 (open ditch) | Mr. Moonshine (IRE) | Peter Buchanan | 1066 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 30 | Mumbles Head (IRE) | Jamie Moore | 1100 100/1 | Refused |
| 30 | Sunnyhillboy (IRE) | Richie McLernon | 1020 20/1 | Unseated rider |
| 30 | Roberto Goldback (IRE) | Barry Geraghty | 1025 25/1 | Unseated rider |
| 30 | Chicago Grey (IRE) | Paul Carberry | 1011 11/1 | Pulled up |

## Reaction

Sue Smith became only the third woman to train a Grand National winner, after Jenny Pitman (1983 and 1995) and Venetia Williams (2009). Smith said afterward: "I knew the ground was right for him and hoped everything else was. He stayed down the middle and had a bit of luck in running. He didn't have a lot of weight and that helped, too."
Auroras Encore was jockey Ryan Mania's first ride in the National. He said after his victory: "There are no words to describe it. I got a dream ride round. I couldn't believe my luck." Mania added that he could not "go too mad" with his celebrations as he was due to race at Hexham the next day. He did race the following afternoon, but was injured in a fall during the St. John Lee Handicap Hurdle and had to be airlifted to Newcastle Royal Infirmary where he was described as being in a "stable" condition. He was released from hospital two days later with minor neck and back injuries, saying he was "feeling a bit tired and a bit sore but apart from that I'm OK, it's nothing serious."
With two equine fatalities in each of the two previous Nationals, much of the media commentary after the 2013 race hailed the fact that all 40 runners had returned safely to the stables and that only two had fallen at the modified fences. The RSPCA's chief executive Gavin Grant said that his organisation was "delighted that the changes seem to have contributed to a safe yet competitive race." Roly Owers of World Horse Welfare added: "Aintree can take considerable credit for the improvements they have made to the course. It is too early to say with certainty whether the softer fences are making a difference, but ... the initial signs are encouraging."
Channel 4 enjoyed a 61% share of the UK terrestrial television audience at its peak during the race. Though its peak viewing figures were down by 2 million from the 2012 race which was broadcast on the BBC and watched by nearly 11 million in the UK, they were slightly above those registered by the BBC in 2011 and 2009 and more than 1 million above those achieved in 2010.

## Broadcasting

   Auroras Encore has taken over and leads the National field up the run-in. They head to the elbow, Auroras Encore from Teaforthree, then Oscar Time back in third place, followed by Cappa Bleu and Swing Bill. Inside the final furlong, Auroras Encore and Ryan Mania out in front here and has drawn eight lengths clear of the tiring Teaforthree, Cappa Bleu running on, but it will go to the Sue Smith team! Auroras Encore and Ryan Mania win the John Smith'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. Channel 4 took over the broadcasting rights from the BBC for a four-year period from 2013.
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. Balding, Fitzgerald and Persad were previously regulars of BBC's coverage team for the race in recent years. The commentary team was composed of Richard Hoiles, Ian Bartlett (also previously part of the BBC's team) and Simon Holt. As lead commentator for Channel 4, Holt called the winner home for the first time. After the race, Nick Luck, Mick Fitzgerald and Richard Hoiles provided the viewers with a detailed re-run of the race.
Whereas the BBC lost the television rights for the race, its radio station 5 Live broadcast the race as before, the 81st consecutive running of the National to be covered live on BBC radio.