# 2016 Grand National

The 2016 Grand National (officially known as the 2016 Crabbie's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 169th annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase took place on 9 April 2016, the final day of a three-day meeting. A field of 39 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million.
The 2016 National was won by 1033 33/1 shot Rule The World, ridden by David Mullins and trained by Mouse Morris. In second place was the 1008 8/1 joint-favourite The Last Samuri. Sixteen of the 39 runners completed the race, held on the softest going since the 2001 race.
The race was sponsored by ginger-beer producer Crabbie's for the third and final time. It was broadcast live on television by Channel 4 for the fourth year running and the final time; the TV rights moved to ITV in 2017. 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 third time.

## Race card

A total of 126 entries were received for consideration in the 2016 Grand National, of which 96 remained after the second of two scratching deadlines, and 87 then advanced to the final confirmation stage. On 7 April the final field of 40 horses was announced as starters for the showpiece race. Four reserves were on standby, but there were no withdrawals before the deadline on 8 April.
O'Faolains Boy was subsequently a non-runner, being declared lame in the morning of the race, reducing the field to 39 from the maximum of 40. A notable absentee was the 2014 winner Pineau de Re, who was rated 46th in the handicap and thus did not qualify for the final field. The joint-favourites with bookmakers were the 2015 winner and top-weight Many Clouds and The Last Samuri.
| No | Horse | Age | Handicap (st–lb) | SP | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | Many Clouds (IRE) | 9 | 11–10 | 1008 8/1 JF | Leighton Aspell | Oliver Sherwood |
| 2 | Silviniaco Conti (FR) | 10 | 11–08 | 1012 12/1 | Noel Fehily | Paul Nicholls |
| 3 | First Lieutenant (IRE) | 11 | 11–04 | 1050 50/1 | Bryan Cooper | Mouse Morris (IRE) |
| 4 | Wonderful Charm (FR) | 8 | 11–03 | 1040 40/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Paul Nicholls |
| 5 | Ballynagour (IRE) | 10 | 11–02 | 1050 50/1 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 6 | O'Faolains Boy (IRE) | 9 | 11–01 | NR | Brian Hughes | Rebecca Curtis |
| 7 | Gilgamboa (IRE) | 8 | 11–01 | 1028 28/1 | Robbie Power | Enda Bolger (IRE) |
| 8 | On His Own (IRE) | 12 | 11–01 | 1033 33/1 | Mr. Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| 9 | The Druids Nephew (IRE) | 9 | 11–00 | 1016 16/1 | Denis O'Regan | Neil Mulholland |
| 10 | Triolo d'Alene (FR) | 9 | 11–00 | 1050 50/1 | Jeremiah McGrath | Nicky Henderson |
| 11 | Rocky Creek (IRE) | 10 | 10–13 | 1066 66/1 | Andrew Thornton | Paul Nicholls |
| 12 | Sir Des Champs (FR) | 10 | 10–13 | 1020 20/1 | Ms. Nina Carberry | Willie Mullins |
| 13 | Holywell (IRE) | 9 | 10–12 | 1011 11/1 | Richie McLernon | Jonjo O'Neill |
| 14 | Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) | 9 | 10–11 | 1012 12/1 | Barry Geraghty | Jonjo O'Neill |
| 15 | Soll | 11 | 10–11 | 1040 40/1 | Conor O'Farrell | David Pipe |
| 16 | Buywise (IRE) | 9 | 10–10 | 1033 33/1 | Paul Moloney | Evan Williams |
| 17 | Boston Bob (IRE) | 11 | 10–10 | 1025 25/1 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 18 | Aachen | 12 | 10–10 | 1050 50/1 | Henry Brooke | Venetia Williams |
| 19 | Morning Assembly (IRE) | 9 | 10–09 | 1016 16/1 | Davy Russell | Pat Fahy (IRE) |
| 20 | Double Ross (IRE) | 10 | 10–09 | 1080 80/1 | Ryan Hatch | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 21 | Goonyella (IRE) | 9 | 10–08 | 1012 12/1 | Johnny Burke | Jim Dreaper (IRE) |
| 22 | Ucello Conti (FR) | 8 | 10–08 | 1025 25/1 | Daryl Jacob | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| 23 | Unioniste (FR) | 8 | 10–08 | 1028 28/1 | Nick Scholfield | Paul Nicholls |
| 24 | Le Reve (IRE) | 8 | 10–08 | 1050 50/1 | Harry Skelton | Lucy Wadham |
| 25 | Gallant Oscar (IRE) | 10 | 10–08 | 1016 16/1 | Mark Walsh | Tony Martin (IRE) |
| 26 | Onenightinvienna (IRE) | 7 | 10–08 | 1033 33/1 | Tom O'Brien | Philip Hobbs |
| 27 | The Last Samuri (IRE) | 8 | 10–08 | 1008 8/1 JF | David Bass | Kim Bailey |
| 28 | Kruzhlinin (GER) | 9 | 10–07 | 1033 33/1 | Richard Johnson | Philip Hobbs |
| 29 | Rule The World | 9 | 10–07 | 1033 33/1 | David Mullins | Mouse Morris |
| 30 | Just a Par (IRE) | 9 | 10–06 | 1040 40/1 | Sean Bowen | Paul Nicholls |
| 31 | Katenko (FR) | 10 | 10–06 | 1040 40/1 | Will Kennedy | Venetia Williams |
| 32 | Vics Canvas (IRE) | 13 | 10–06 | 1100 100/1 | Robert Dunne | Dermot McLoughlin (IRE) |
| 33 | Black Thunder (FR) | 9 | 10–06 | 1050 50/1 | Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen | Paul Nicholls |
| 34 | Ballycasey (IRE) | 9 | 10–06 | 1050 50/1 | Ms. Katie Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 35 | Hadrian's Approach (IRE) | 9 | 10–06 | 1050 50/1 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson |
| 36 | Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) | 7 | 10–05 | 1066 66/1 | James Reveley | David Pipe |
| 37 | Pendra (IRE) | 8 | 10–05 | 1050 50/1 | Aidan Coleman | Charles Longsdon |
| 38 | Saint Are (FR) | 10 | 10–05 | 1016 16/1 | Paddy Brennan | Tom George |
| 39 | Home Farm (IRE) | 9 | 10–04 | 1050 50/1 | Andrew Lynch | Henry de Bromhead (IRE) |
| 40 | The Romford Pele (IRE) | 9 | 10–04 | 1033 33/1 | Trevor Whelan | Rebecca Curtis |
* Great Britain unless stated.
* Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.

## Race overview

The outsider Aachen led the field on the first circuit with Double Ross very prominent and The Last Samuri and Many Clouds close behind the leaders. The most notable early faller was the third-favourite Holywell at the second fence. The Romford Pele was in a handy position until falling at the Canal Turn. Silviniaco Conti was pulled up at the 14th whilst On His Own and Sir Des Champs, both trained by Willie Mullins, fell at The Chair.
As the horses set out on the second circuit some of the early leaders began to fade and the 2015 runner-up Saint Are led the field, with The Last Samuri and Many Clouds disputing second. In the heavy conditions, several riders decided to pull their horses up rather than face Becher's a second time. Many Clouds went to the front at the 19th fence and raced alongside The Last Samuri for several fences before making a bad mistake at the 26th, after which he began to struggle under the top weight.
The Last Samuri led the field into the final turn ahead of Morning Assembly and the 100/1 outsider Vics Canvas, who had made a remarkable recovery after almost falling at Becher's Brook on the first circuit. Rule The World was beginning to make steady progress. The Last Samuri cleared the final fence just ahead of Vics Canvas, with Rule The World a length behind in third place. The three leaders were virtually level at the elbow with Vics Canvas on the rail, Rule The World on the outside and The Last Samuri in between them. In the final furlong Rule The World drew ahead and won by six lengths from The Last Samuri, with eight lengths back to Vics Canvas in third. Gilgamboa finished another two lengths behind in fourth, ahead of Goonyella, Ucello Conti, Vieux Lion Rouge, Morning Assembly and Shutthefrontdoor. Many Clouds was the last of the 16 finishers.
All 39 runners returned to the stables with no major concerns. However, over the three days of the Grand National Festival a total of five horses died from injuries sustained during racing.

## Finishing order

The sixteen horses to complete the course finished as follows:
| Position | Horse | Jockey | SP | Distance | Prize money |
| 1 | Rule The World | David Mullins | 1033 33/1 | 6 lengths | £561,300 |
| 2 | The Last Samuri | David Bass | 1008 8/1 JF | 8 lengths | £211,100 |
| 3 | Vics Canvas | Robert Dunne | 1100 100/1 | 2 lengths | £105,500 |
| 4 | Gilgamboa | Robbie Power | 1028 28/1 | 19 lengths | £52,700 |
| 5 | Goonyella | Johnny Burke | 1012 12/1 | 1+3⁄4 lengths | £26,500 |
| 6 | Ucello Conti | Daryl Jacob | 1025 25/1 | 11 lengths | £13,200 |
| 7 | Vieux Lion Rouge | James Reveley | 1066 66/1 | 14 lengths | £6,800 |
| 8 | Morning Assembly | Davy Russell | 1016 16/1 | 1⁄2 length | £3,600 |
| 9 | Shutthefrontdoor | Barry Geraghty | 1012 12/1 | 9 lengths | £2,000 |
| 10 | Unioniste | Nick Scholfield | 1028 28/1 | 5 lengths | £1,000 |
| 11 | Le Reve | Harry Skelton | 1050 50/1 | 7 lengths | |
| 12 | Buywise | Paul Moloney | 1033 33/1 | A distance | |
| 13 | Pendra | Aidan Coleman | 1050 50/1 | 14 lengths | |
| 14 | Triolo d'Alene | Jeremiah McGrath | 1050 50/1 | 20 lengths | |
| 15 | Just a Par | Sean Bowen | 1040 40/1 | 1 length | |
| 16 | Many Clouds | Leighton Aspell | 1008 8/1 JF | Last to complete | |

## Non-finishers

The runners who failed to complete were as follow:
| Fence | Horse | Jockey | SP | Fate |
| 1 | Hadrian's Approach | Nico de Boinville | 1050 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 2 | First Lieutenant | Bryan Cooper | 1050 50/1 | Fell |
| 2 | Holywell | Richie McLernon | 1011 11/1 | Fell |
| 8 (Canal Turn) | The Romford Pele | Trevor Whelan | 1033 33/1 | Unseated rider |
| 12 (ditch) | Rocky Creek | Andrew Thornton | 1033 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 14 | Silviniaco Conti | Noel Fehily | 1012 12/1 | Pulled up |
| 15 (The Chair) | On His Own | Mr. Patrick Mullins | 1033 33/1 | Fell |
| 15 (The Chair) | Sir Des Champs | Ms. Nina Carberry | 1020 20/1 | Fell |
| 18 | Gallant Oscar | Mark Walsh | 1016 16/1 | Unseated rider |
| 19 (open ditch) | Ballynagour | Tom Scudamore | 1050 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 21 | Soll | Conor O'Farrell | 1040 40/1 | Pulled up |
| 21 | The Druids Nephew | Denis O'Regan | 1016 16/1 | Pulled up |
| 21 | Home Farm | Andrew Lynch | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 21 | Black Thunder | Mr. Sam Waley-Cohen | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Katenko | Will Kennedy | 1040 40/1 | Fell |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Onenightinvienna | Tom O'Brien | 1033 33/1 | Unseated rider |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Boston Bob | Paul Townend | 1025 25/1 | Pulled up |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Aachen | Henry Brooke | 1050 50/1 | Pulled up |
| 24 (Canal Turn) | Wonderful Charm | Sam Twiston-Davies | 1040 40/1 | Pulled up |
| 26 | Double Ross | Ryan Hatch | 1080 80/1 | Pulled up |
| 27 (open ditch) | Kruzhlinin | Richard Johnson | 1033 33/1 | Pulled up |
| 29 | Ballycasey | Ms. Katie Walsh | 1050 50/1 | Unseated rider |
| 30 | Saint Are | Paddy Brennan | 1016 16/1 | Pulled up |

## Broadcasting and media

   The Last Samuri just leads the way in the National, but here comes Rule The World charging on the outside, then Vics Canvas, and Rule The World is beginning to get up on the nearside now, charging on in the hands of David Mullins. And racing up towards the line, Rule The World rules at Aintree and wins the Crabbie'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. The race was broadcast live on TV by Channel 4, as part of their four-year deal for the race secured back in 2012. This was the final year that Channel 4 broadcast the race live, after ITV secured the rights from 2017 onwards.
The coverage was led by Clare Balding and Nick Luck, supported by Emma Spencer, Jim McGrath and Graham Cunningham in the trackside studio. Retired champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy provided expert opinions throughout the coverage, with reports from Mick Fitzgerald 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 final time. After the race, Luck, Fitzgerald and McCoy provided viewers with a fence-by-fence analysis of the race. Channel 4 ran all-day coverage from Aintree on the day of the race, with extended editions of The Morning Line and Weekend Brunch airing prior to the main broadcast. The coverage of the race was watched by 10 million viewers, an increase of 1.1 million on the previous year, and attracted a 59% share of the television audience.