Grand National 2009 Review

Grand National 2009 Race Review

The 2009 Grand National provided one of the biggest shocks in the history of the great race when Mon Mome, trained by Ventetia Williams, became only the second horse ever to win the National at 100/1.

He equalled the highest ever starting price of a Grand National winner with only the infamous Foinavon in 1967 also allowed to go off at such extreme odds. In hindsight the odds look huge given the horse is the highest rated horse this century to win the National and had been 9/2 favourite for the Welsh National only four races before his Aintree exploits. Nevertheless, he was 100/1 and in all probability not much of the near £300 million wagered with the bookmakers made it back to punters who had backed the winner.

The placed horses proved much more popular for punters with 2008 Grand National winner Comply Or Die running another great race to finish runner-up in 2009, some twelve lengths behind the impressive winner.

In third place was My Will, ridden by Ruby Walsh who could not stop his mount from making a series of mistakes that undoubtedly did not help his chances. In fourth place was State Of Play, trained by Evan Williams, and connections of this horse had been quietly confident about the former Charlie Hall and Hennessy winner and he looked the horse most likely to take the prize when jumping to the front two fences from home. Unfortunately his stamina seemed to give way on the run in and he weakened to finish just under seventeen lengths behind Mon Mome.

The 2009 was notable for its truly competitive nature with over a dozen horses still in with a chance as they crossed the Melling Road and turned for home. Positive mentions should go to rank outsiders Cerium and Arteea who both ran excellent races to finish fifth and tenth respectively after receiving a fair bit of criticism for their owner regarding their merits of being in the race. However, the most eye-catching performance award goes to Big Fella Thanks. Paul Nicholls’ young chaser finished 6th as a novice on only his seventh run over fences and he looks sure to come back in 2010 as a strong contender for a higher placing.