What a way to go out!
The Grand National is the hardest race on the calendar to predict, with long shot horses often coming through to pull off a shock.
This afternoon provided yet another example, with the 2022 edition being won by 50/1 shot Noble Yeats. Remarkably, the horse would be saddled by amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who was actually taking part in his final ever race.
Noble Yeats wins the Grand National
It was a thrilling race throughout, with a number of thrills and spills over the course of the 30 fences.
It would ultimately come down to a straight shootout between Noble Yeats and pre-race favourite Any Second Now, with the 50/1 shot hanging on to win the race.
EXTRAORDINARY!
Sam Waley-Cohen - in his last ever race - wins the Aintree Grand National on 50/1 shot Noble Yeats. They hold off Any Second Now on the home straight. What a story!#GrandNational | #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/QgKm3W7zSz— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 9, 2022
An owner of a huge number of dental practices, Waley-Cohen actually has a brilliant record over these fences. However, this would be his first ever victory in this race at the final attempt. The horse is also owned by his father Robert and trained by Ireland's Emmet Mullins.
He is the first amateur jockey to win the event since Marcus Armytage did so on Mr. Frisk in 1990.
Speaking after the race, he thanked everyone who had helped him over the course of what has been a remarkable amateur career. He also dedicated the win to his brother Thomas, who passed away from cancer a number of years ago.
His six previous wins at Aintree won't compare to his seventh. Sam Waley-Cohen bows out of horse racing in the most memorable fashion.
"It's a fairytale, a fantasy. I'm full of love, happiness and hopefulness. You couldn't make it up."#GrandNational | #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/Omzd1r9dmw— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 9, 2022
Speaking on ITV, AP McCoy summed up how big of an achievement this was.
There aren't many amateurs about. It's fairytale stuff, it's like something you would see in a movie, you couldn't make it up. As he said, you'd be lost for words.
It is hard to describe how he is going to be feeling, to have your last ever ride and win the Grand National? You couldn't make it up.
An absolutely remarkable end to the Grand National.
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