2001 Grand National Results

Red Marauder won the 2001 Grand National by a distance, in a time of 11 minutes and 0.1 seconds. The 33/1 outsider was owned and trained by Norman Mason and ridden by Richard Guest. Of a maximum field of 40 competitors only four completed the course of which only two were unhindered during the race. Aintree was particularly wet and muddy and some critics thought the race should not have been run, however probably due to the extremely heavy going, the slow race meant no horse or rider was injured.

The winner of the 1999 Welsh Grand National, Edmond, was joint favourite with Moral Support, both horses preferred soft ground which they certainly got in 2001. The previous years winning duo, Papillon and jockey Ruby Walsh, were re united and sent off at 14/1. Red Marauder had fallen at Becher’s in the 2000 race and suffered another fall at Haydock prior to the National and went off at 33/1.

By the time the runners reached the third fence 8 had already fallen and after the Turn only 13 remained in the race. The favourite fell at the Chair and at the start of the second circuit only 7 were left. Ruby Walsh had to remount Papillon, as did Tony McCoy riding Blowing Wind, they went on to take 4th and 3rd place respectively. Smarty took the lead over the last few fences until Red Marauder drew level at the second last and went on to win by a distance, in the slowest time for over 100 years.

Following his Grand National win Red Marauder suffered recurring tendon trouble and was not raced again until February 2003 when he was placed fourth in a handicap hurdle at Nottingham. His odds for the 2003 National were slashed but beset with problems he was withdrawn 2 days before the race and retired.

Finishing Position

Pos | Name | Jockey | Age | Weight | Distance

1st | Red Marauder | R. Guest | 11 | 10-11
2nd | Smarty | T J Murphy | 8 | 10-0
3rd | Blowing Wind | AP McCoy | 8 | 10-9
4th | Papillon | R Walsh | 10 | 11-5