Since Red Rum managed to complete back-to-back Grand National wins in 1973-74, no horse has been able to achieve the impressive feat – but that isn’t to say that racings finest haven’t tried to emulate the legendary three-time winner. Looking to make the history books this year is Tiger Roll, who won last year’s race in dramatic fashion over Pleasant Company by a head. However, there’s a massive expectation on Tiger Roll this year to triumph and he’s the favourite with the bookies at 4/1. The nine-year-old is in reasonable form, having won his last two races.
Here we will take a look at previous winners of the Grand National that attempted to make it back-to-back wins, but weren’t successful.
Hedgehunter: winner in 2005, second in 2006
Saddled by Ruby Walsh, Hedgehunter was the favourite at the 2005 Grand National with odds of 7/1. He hadn’t been successful in the previous year’s race, falling at the final obstacle when in third place and there had even been doubts surrounding him racing at the 2005 National. Fortunately for Willie Mullins, he made a speedy recovery and there certainly weren’t any doubts on the day. He made his move when Clan Royal was carried out by a loose horse at the 22nd fence and stayed on strongly to win quite confidently over Royal Auclair, who never looked like challenging.
The following year, Walsh was on the saddle again but Hedgehunter was not as successful. He was made joint-favourite this time with Clan Royal at odds of 5/1. Having been with the leaders for the majority of the race, it was a lack of stamina which cost Hedgehunter the accolade of back-to-back victories. The winner, Numbersixvalverde pulled away and won it by six lengths, with the other pre-race joint-favourite finishing in third. Walsh reported after the race that he wasn’t enjoying the ground and knew he wouldn’t win after clearing the first few obstacles.
Comply or Die: winner in 2008, second in 2009
Comply or Die went into the 2008 Grand National as joint-favourite, alongside Cloudy Lane and held off a strong challenge from King Johns Castle to win by four lengths. It was a first success in the race for owner David Johnson and David Pipe, who followed in his father’s footsteps of training a Grand National winner.
In 2009, Comply or Die wasn’t the favourite but lost out in surprise fashion to rank-outsider Mon Mome, who was priced at 100/1 pre-race. Mon Mome was the longest-priced horse to win the National since Foinavon in 1967. The race was delayed due to two false starts; however, Comply or Die had run a terrific race, leading between the final two fences, but just didn’t have the stamina to quicken or maintain his lead. Mon Mome led by the final fence and drove clear to win by 12 lengths.
Don’t Push It: winner in 2010, third in 2011
After 15 years of trying, AP McCoy finally tasted success in the Grand National when joint-favourite Don’t Push It won in 2010. He was a strong contender throughout and McCoy’s passage was pretty much trouble-free. There was a scare at the 26th fence, but Don’t Push It soon regained momentum and despite coming up second at the penultimate jump, regained the lead at the final and pushed on to win comfortably by five lengths.
There was no such luck for Don’t Push It the following year, with his extra weight showing (he was seven pounds heavier than the previous year and one of the heaviest entries). On the second circuit, there were signs that he lacked the stamina to go all the way for a second time and the leading pack were pushing away. At the penultimate fence, McCoy knew he wouldn’t win but Don’t Push It notched up an honourable third.
Ballabriggs: winner in 2011, sixth in 2012
One of the Don’t Push It’s rivals in the 2011 Grand National was Ballabriggs. The 10-year-old led for most of the race, with one mistake on the second circuit at Valentine’s Brook. He managed to regain the lead and hold off the threat of second-placed Oscar Time who remained the same pace in the run-in – winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
The following year Ballabriggs aimed to make history, but it wasn’t to be. At the top of the handicap at 11-9, he did well in the circumstances, but never challenged the leaders. This would be his penultimate race in the National. In 2013, he pulled up before the 24th fence and was retired later that month.
Think that Tiger Roll will make history? Or fancy a punt on one of the previous runners? Take a look at the Betfair Grand National page for all the latest odds.