Breaking Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats wins Grand National

Amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen enjoyed a fairytale finale to his career as steered Noble Yeats to victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

The 39-year-old announced his intention to retire on Thursday, nominating young Irish trainer Emmet Mullins' charge as his farewell ride in the world's most famous steeplechase.

Sent off at 50-1, few would have expected Noble Yeats to strike in the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile showpiece - but he ran a magnificent race as he fended off the 15-2 favourite Any Second Now for a famous National success.

Coming to the last they were the only pair in contention and under a strong drive, Noble Yeats kept finding more to prevail in the colours of Waley-Cohen's father, Robert.

Delta Work (10-1) was third with Santini (33-1) in fourth.

Reigning champion Minella Times, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, fell at the 10th fence.

"It was a long-term plan and it seems to have come off in the end somehow," Mullins told ITV after Noble Yeats came home in first place.

"I don't know how. We were probably more confident a month ago but the closer we got to it, everyone else seemed to be talking up their chances and we just went cold. The horse didn’t know any different."

Full result:

1 Noble Yeats (Mr S Waley-Cohen) 50-1

2 Any Second Now (M P Walsh) 15-2 Fav

3 Delta Work (J W Kennedy) 10-1

4 Santini (Nick Scholfield) 33-1

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