AINTREE, England (Reuters) – Tony McCoy broke his Grand National jinx last Saturday with an emotional victory on 10-1 joint favourite Don’t Push It.
It was his first success in the great race after 14 previous failures dating back to 1995.
McCoy bided his time on the first circuit but emerged as a real threat with four fences to go. Approaching the last he took over from front-running Black Apalachi (14-1) and raced away to a five-length victory.
Third place, 20 lengths away, in the 40-strong field went to State of Play (16-1) with Big Fella Thanks (10-1 joint favourite) in fourth.
Choking back tears, McCoy said: “It’s been a bit of negative on the CV. I’m delighted and for my mum and dad as well and my wife and my daughter who is two and a half. She’ll be proud of me when she grows up.”
It was a first victory in the race for trainer Jonjo O’Neill and owner JP McManus.
Drama had started an hour before the race when Ruby Walsh, due to partner Big Fella Thanks, took a heavy fall in a valuable hurdle race. He was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm and may be out of action for some time
His place was taken by Irish compatriot Barry Geraghty who switched from Tricky Trickster, a stable companion of Big Fella Thanks, with Richard Johnson coming in for the spare ride on Tricky Trickster.