Tiger Roll won the 2018 renewal of the Grand National in a dramatic finish with Pleasant Company pushing him to a photo finish in the final strides
TIGER ROLL (10-1) won the Grand National by the tightest of margins in a a photo finish with Pleasant Company.
Gordon Elliott's chaser looked to be cruising as they came to the elbow but was running on empty in the final strides with Willie Mullins' Pleasant Company (25-1) charging home.
However, the eight-year-old held on under Davy Russell, the oldest jockey in the race, to give the experienced jockey his first Grand National success and a second win in the famous race for Elliott after the victory of Silver Birch in 2007.
The finish epitomised the current battleground in Irish racing, with Elliott and Mullins going toe-to-toe and miles clear of the rest.
Elliott also saddled the third, veteran chaser Bless The Wings (40-1), with another Irish raider Anibale Fly (10-1) coming in fourth.
Of the three female riders seeking to make history by becoming the first woman jockey to win the National, Bryony Frost did best, guiding Milansbar (25-1) home for a more than respectable fifth.
In testing conditions, 14 horses completed the course in the first Grand National with heavy in the going description since Red Marauder's National in 2001.
Russell dedicated his victory to leading Flat jockey Pat Smullen, who was diagnosed with a tumour last month.
He told ITV Racing: "I was afraid he wouldn't take to it as he's very economical with his jumping. They've done a marvellous job with this horse.
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"This one is for Pat Smullen. I was speaking to him the other morning and he's as tough as nails.
"I really don't know what to say."
Elliott added: "It's unbelievable. Tiger Roll is a yard favourite. It's great for the yard, for Gigginstown (House Stud, owners), for everyone."
Elliott said: "I was nervous. I thought I had it, but you're so nervous watching it.
"I said I didn't appreciate the first time round. I'm definitely going to appreciate it now. It's great for my family and everyone at home.
"He's an unbelievable horse. I was fighting with Michael O'Leary telling him to keep this horse at Gigginstown when he retires and he said he wasn't good enough.
"He'd better keep him now!"
He added: "At one point I said he wasn't good enough and at one point retirement was an option, but I'm very lucky to be training for the O'Learys.
"It's unbelievable for Davy Russell. He's lost his mother and I'm sure his father Gerry is very proud at home watching. He had a new baby last week, too.
"Coming here I was really worried about the ground. All the way round I couldn't believe how he was going."
Elliott acknowledged the similarities between the finish at Aintree and that of the Irish Grand National earlier this month, when Elliott's General Principle pipped Mullins' Isleofhopendreams to put him in pole position to win the Irish trainers title.
Elliott said: "Coming after the Cheltenham we had, we didn't dare dream this. We only beat him (Mullins) last week in the Irish National and now we've beaten him again, I can't believe it.
"Having to beat Willie is tough, he's an amazing man and sets the standards, one of the greatest of all time and to be training at the same time as him is unbelievable."
More to follow...
