Grand National 2006 Race Review

It was not long before it was obvious that this year's race was being run on slower, softer ground was one reason but also the jockeys were being a little more sensible with their charges and not going too fast. By the time they got to Becher's on the first circuit they were not very stretched out, Shotgun Willy was in the lead from Ballycassidy, First Gold and Garvivonnian. They went on to the Canal Turn with Ballycassidy, and the improving Lord of Illusion the two leaders. By the time they came back on the racecourse proper not much had changed.

At the 14th fence Ballycassidy was still in the lead and Puntal who had been off the course for over a year was also running well. Therealbandit, First Gold and Shotgun Willy were next and then came last year's winner Hedgehunter.

At the biggest fence on the course the leaders jump the fence well in advance of the field. however some are not so lucky. Silver Birch fell and brought down Heros Collonges. Jack high also fell independently. The horses went over the water jump and headed back out on the course for the second time. Ballycassidy and Puntal were disputing the lead Next came First Gold Therealbandit, Hedgehunter, Clan Royal, Lord of Illusion and Risk Assessor. Next came Joes Edge, Forest Gunner, Direct Access, Inca Trail, Numbersixvalverde, Rince Ri, Shotgun Willy, Haut De Gamme, Sir OJ and Native Upmanship. They headed down to the 19th fence Puntal and Ballycassidy were 6 lengths in front of the field next came Clan Royal who made a very bad mistake but stayed on his feet, this left Hedgehunter in third place.

When they got to Becher's on the second Circuit, Puntal was starting to fall behind and Ballycassidy was 6 lengths in front of the field. Many horses were starting to pull up. As they went on to the canal turn nothing changed up front but as they got to Valentine's Ballycassidy was 4 lengths in front but never got his legs up high enough and paid the price and fell. This left Hedgehunter and Clan Royal, the two at the head of the betting market battling for the lead.

However there was a horse making good ground through the now depleted field, Numbersixvalverde was going very well and as they crossed the Melling road and came back to the racecourse proper these three were at the head of the field.

As they got to the second last fence all three were in a line jumping the fence, In close attendance behind were three other horses, Puntal, Risk Assessor, and Nil Desperandum and it was clear that the winner was one of these six.

At the last fence Hedgehunter seemed to be going slightly better than the other two, Clan Royal had just dropped behind by a half a length but at the fence Numbersixvalverde out-jumped both and went into the lead.

Next comes the long run in where so many races have been won and lost. Six tired horses who have given the race everything try and respond to the jockeys urging to just find a little bit more to claim the biggest prize of all.

It wasn't long before they were at the elbow and Numbersixvalverde was a length in front, of Hedgehunter with Nil Desperandum a very tired third and Clan Royal also a very tired fourth. Falling further behind are Risk Assessor and Puntal who are now out of the running. As they pass the elbow and go up the run-in Numbersixvalverde opens up a bigger gap between himself and the next three.

As they get to the line Numbersixvalverde crosses the line to win the 2006 Grand National.