Sam Waley-Cohen enjoys fairytale finale with Grand National triumph

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

The 39-year-old announced his intention to retire on Thursday, nominating 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 by two and a quarter lengths 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 20 lengths back third, with Santini (33-1) another length and a quarter away in fourth.

A jubilant Waley-Cohen – who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Long Run in 2011 – said: “Dad has always supported me unwaveringly, we’ve never had a cross word, it’s always been for fun. It’s been a love affair. To my wife, long-suffering, they aren’t all good days, there are bad days in this sport.

“We came here thinking the sun’s out, it’s your last ride – go and have a nice spin, no expectations. Just enjoy it. It’s a dream. I couldn’t believe it.”

He added: “I have to thank so many people. People said he was too young at seven, but when you’re on a horse that age you can take chances and it paid off.

“He jumped neatly and I started to think he was really travelling, I started following Santini and then he just started to go forwards.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and father Robert Waley-Cohen after winning the Grand National. PA

“He jumped the last well, but then I felt the other horse come to me and I