Neptune Collonges won the 2012 John Smith's Grand National, although tragedy overshadowed the race at Aintree.
Grey wins Aintree marathon by a whisker
Neptune Collonges won the 2012 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree in the closest finish ever, although tragedy overshadowed the triumph as Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sychronised was one of two horses killed in the race.
Paul Nicholls' grey (33-1), owned by John Hales and ridden brilliantly by Daryl Jacob, was one of several horses in with a chance turning for home but the former Gold Cup third stayed on best of all to collar Sunnyhillboy (16-1) right on the line.
Joint-favourite Seabass (8-1), ridden by Katie Walsh ran a fine race in third, with Evan Williams' Cappa Bleu (16-1) back in fourth.
Fifth place went to In Compliance (100-1), whilst last-year's hero Ballabriggs ran a gallant race one position further back.
The well-fancied Synchronised unseated Tony McCoy on the way down to the start and, sadly, would then go on to suffer a fatal fall, along with According to Pete.
West End Rocker and Junior departed at the second fence, whilst Viking Blond was the very first runner to go at the first obstacle.
The Canal Turn claimed five victims in an eventful race while Noel Fehily suffered a broken leg in an early fall from Aintree veteran State Of Play.
Genuine
A clearly overcome Jacob said: "You can't beat this. I was on a tough horse and I said to Paul that one day I would ride you a National winner. That was two years ago and now I've done it."
Nicholls said: "He's probably the best horse we've run in the race. He's got great form, he's been placed in Gold Cups, he stays, he's genuine and Daryl gave him a fantastic ride when you analyse where he went. It's absolutely brilliant.
"It's blown Nicky Henderson out of the water now (in the trainers' championship). Any good race would do, but this is the race we wanted."
But the death of Synchronised cast a huge shadow over the success with owner JP McManus stating directly after the race: ""He's been killed, so I believe. I'm sure they'll make an announcement shortly."
Once the news had been confirmed, Aintree managing director Julian Thick said: "We are desperately sad at these two accidents and our sympathies are with the connections of both horses.
"When a horse gets hurt, everyone is deeply upset. Safety is the first priority for the organisers of the Grand National and we make every effort to ensure that everyone involved in the event is able to participate in safety.
"Horseracing is a sport that is very carefully regulated and monitored by the British Horseracing Authority, but risk can never be completely removed.
Emotion
Winning owner John Hales had mixed emotions as One Man, probably the best horse he ever owned, was killed in a fall at this meeting in 1998.
"When he crossed the line I thought he might have got it. My first thought was if he has got it Paul has won the trainers' championship. And then I thought thank you Aintree - you know why - many years ago.
"It split the family coming here. My wife was 50-50, my daughter couldn't face it. She has gone show jumping and is overcome with emotion.
"We've nothing against Aintree. We love coming here and this year we've come up trumps."
He said Neptune Collonges, the first grey to win the National since Nicolaus Silver in 1961, would be retired immediately: "He'll never race again, that's it."
Evan Williams said of fourth home Cappa Bleu: "I like the National, I've not got a bad record in it, have I? But I want to be there though (pointed at the winner's podium).
"Inexperience found him out really. He ran into every faller and every bit of trouble. It was a good run, though.
"State Of Play just wanted a pick of grass, he made a little mistake and got rid of his jockey. Deep Purple pulled up, he didn't enjoy it."
Katie Walsh became the highest-placed woman rider in the race after finishing third on Seabass.
"I had an unbelievable spin," she said. "It was a fantastic experience. It was great to get round. I can't believe it's all over and I can't wait to do it again.
"At the third-last I was going OK but after the second-last I didn't think I was going to win."
