Racing / Grand National: Race was run in near record time

DESPITE the futility of it all, the horses and jockeys that completed the course were duped into an effort that produced the second fastest time in the race's history.

With Just So a non-runner and nine jockeys heeding the starter's call, 30 horses set off. Most were pulled up before the end of the first lap, including the favourite Party Politics, but 11 went out a second time.

They were led by Howe Street and Sure Metal. When those two crashed at the 20th, Romany King took it up. But Esha Ness was always hunting him up and was pushed out to beat Cahervillahow and Romany King. The Committee was two lengths away fourth, with Givus A Buck 10 lengths back. On The Other Hand and Laura's Beau were the other finishers.