Story of the 2019 Grand National – All Drama, All Jumps and All Tiger Roll
Let’s set the scene: the dust had barely settled from Tiger Roll’s thrilling victory in the 2018 Grand National, and already the racing world was buzzing about 2019.
The date was circled on calendars everywhere – April 6th, 2019, the day when forty horses and their brave riders would once again line up at Aintree for the world’s most famous steeplechase.
But before we get to the thundering hooves and flying turf, let’s take a step back and see how the 2019 Grand National story unfolded, from the first whispers of entries to the fever pitch of race day itself.
Entries and Excitement
The 2019 Grand National attracted a whopping 112 entries, the highest in recent years and a clear sign that everyone wanted a piece of the action.
Of these, a record 47 hailed from Ireland, with Gordon Elliott, fresh off his second Grand National win with Tiger Roll, responsible for 22 of them.
If you’re thinking that’s a lot of horses for one trainer, you’re not wrong. Elliott seemed determined to turn the parade ring into his personal reunion.
The entry list read like a who’s who of staying chasers. Bristol De Mai, Elegant Escape, and Valtor were among the highest-rated, though all three were also eyeing the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Would they make it to Aintree? Only time (and a very persuasive BHA Handicapper) would tell.
Familiar names like 2018’s runner-up Pleasant Company, Anibale Fly, Baie Des Iles, Blaklion, Vieux Lion Rouge, and The Last Samuri all made their return, each hoping for a fairytale ending.
On the British side, Nigel Twiston-Davies stood out with nine entries, including fan favourite Splash Of Ginge, Scottish National runner-up Ballyoptic, and Blaklion, who had the misfortune of being brought down at the first fence the previous year.
The Festival Build-Up
Grand National fever doesn’t just grip the racing world, it sweeps up the whole of Britain.
Tickets for the big day were in hot demand, with Aintree warning fans to snap them up early or risk missing out.
The festival itself promised three days of action: a stylish Grand Opening Day on Thursday, Ladies Day on Friday (hats at the ready), and the main event on Saturday. Randox Health was back as sponsor, and the champagne was already on ice.
For those who didn’t fancy the Grand National crowds, there was always the Becher Chase run over the same iconic fences, a perfect chance to spot a future National winner without elbowing your way to the bar.
But before the drama of Aintree, there were clues to be gathered. Haydock Park’s Grand National Trial in February was a key prep race, with 46 entries and 23 of those also in the National itself.
Ramses de Teillee, trained by David Pipe, led the betting at 8/1, closely followed by stablemate Daklondike and the ever-popular Vieux Lion Rouge.
Missed Approach, Yala Enki, and Ms Parfois were all in the mix, each with their own loyal following and a story to tell.
And let’s not forget the legendary Red Rum, who ran at Haydock before every one of his five Grand Nationals. He won the Trial in 1975, though he had to settle for second at Aintree that year.
Even legends have to take their turn in the queue.
Weights and the Waiting Game
Early February brought the all-important weights announcement. The BHA Handicapper’s decision could make or break a horse’s National dream.
In the end, it was Anibale Fly who was burdened with top weight of 11-10 with Valtor four pounds behind on 11-06.
At the other end of the table, Joe Farrell from trainer Rebecca Curtis was the last to make the cut, going off on 10-02 and odds of 14/1.
Despite his win in 2018, Tiger Roll was given a reasonable 11-05 which promptly made him a very attractive prospect for the dual win, sending the public flocking to the bookies to back him at 4/1 and sending him off as the favourite.
The Final Countdown: Forty and Fabulous
With just days to go, the final field of forty was revealed. The anticipation was palpable, the nerves jangling.
Would Tiger Roll make history? Could Pleasant Company go one better? Would a mare finally break the drought? The answers would come soon enough, but for now, it was time for last-minute bets, lucky charms, and perhaps a quiet word with the racing gods.
Aintree was ready, the fences were waiting, and the world was watching. The 2019 Grand National promised drama, excitement, and the kind of sporting theatre you can’t find anywhere else.
How The Race Was Won
The 2019 Grand National at Aintree unfolded as a historic and dramatic renewal, with the spotlight firmly on Tiger Roll, the pint-sized hero who was aiming to become the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Nationals.
Sent off as a well-backed 4/1 favourite, Tiger Roll carried the hopes of punters and racing fans alike, with bookmakers reportedly facing huge liabilities should he succeed.
The sun shone on the forty-strong field as they charged to the first fence, but the race was immediately marred by a tragic incident: Vintage Clouds fell and brought down Up For Review, who suffered a fatal injury, the first equine fatality in the race since 2012.
As the runners settled, the lead changed hands several times, with Go Conquer, Magic Of Light, and Rathvinden all prominent.
The early pace was brisk, and while there were few fallers in the opening stages, the field began to thin out after the halfway point. Through the second circuit, Rathvinden took up the running, but the Becher Chase winner Walk In The Mill and outsider Magic Of Light were never far away.
Tiger Roll, meanwhile, traveled smoothly in midfield, only giving his supporters a brief scare with a couple of awkward jumps in the latter stages.
As the field approached the final fences, Magic Of Light, the only mare in the race and a 66/1 outsider, moved into a narrow lead.
2018’s runner-up Pleasant Company unseated at the 27th, ending his challenge. With just three fences to go, it was clear that the Irish-trained horses were dominating, with Magic Of Light, Rathvinden, and Tiger Roll battling it out.
Turning for home, Tiger Roll cruised up to challenge Magic Of Light, who made a mistake at the last.
Davy Russell, riding with supreme confidence, pushed Tiger Roll into the lead on the long run-in.
Although Magic Of Light and Rathvinden rallied gamely, Tiger Roll held on for a famous victory, winning by just under three lengths and etching his name alongside Red Rum in the record books.
Nineteen runners completed the course, with Walk In The Mill finishing best of the British-trained horses in fourth, and Anibale Fly, One For Arthur, and Regal Encore filling the next places.
The 2019 Grand National will be remembered for Tiger Roll’s remarkable achievement and a race that lived up to its billing as a true sporting spectacle.
