Tiger Roll wins the 2018 Aintree Grand National in thriller

Grand National results: Gordon Elliott earns his second showpiece victory

Tiger Roll won the 2018 Aintree Grand National in a thrilling photo finish under a jubilant Davy Russell.

Gordon Elliott’s charge pipped it at the post from a brave Pleasant Company, coming home at 10/1.

One of the antepost favourites in Blaklion fell at the very first fence as the Aintree National underpinned its status as one of the most difficult races in the world.

Total Recall – Willie Mullins’ main hope – was racing erratically in the opening stages with bad mistakes at the 4th and 9th fences. It was only brilliant recoveries from jockey Paul Townend that kept him going.

Ucello Conti leads at half-way

However, it was Elliott’s other charge who threatened to pull off a shock as Ucello Conti and Daryl Jacobs raced into the lead. And he stayed there for over half the race, too.

But Mullins was always going to have a major say in this race. And his charge Pleasant Company edged into the lead just after half way under David Mullins.

The Dutchman – going well under Harry Cobden – fell at the 24th before Ucello Conti unseated Jacobs to leave Pleasant Company out in the lead.

Tiger begins to purr

But Tiger Roll – who had stayed in touch with the leaders for most of the race – suddenly made a rapid burst into the lead with three fences to go.