Grand National 202 results and placings - Minella Times wins as Rachael Blackmore creates history

Minella Times ridden by Rachael Blackmore win the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase during Grand National Day of the 2021 Randox Health Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.

The big race, which went off at 5.15pm, live on ITV, is one of world sport’s most famous occasions.

The Randox Grand National is watched each year by more than 500 million people in more than 140 countries and after last year’s race was cancelled because of coronavirus, this was a welcome return for punters even though it was behind closed doors.

For winning jockey Blackmore, it ollowed on from her Cheltenham Festival exploits last month when she was the leading jockey.

Who won the Grand National 2021?

Minella Times, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, has won the Randox Grand National.

The win created Grand National history, with Blackmore becoming the first ever female jockey to win the famous steeplechase.

Blackmore led home a one-two for trainer Henry de Bromhead, who also had 100-1 runner-up Balko Des Flos.

Minella Times was one of seven horses in the race owned by JP McManus

What odds was Minella Times?

The winner was an 11/1 shot when the race started.

Blackmore guided the horse around the Aintree course after long-time leadr Jett faded in the closing stages.

The pre-race favourite, Cloth Cap, pulled up with three fences to go.

Jonjo O’Neill’s favourite was trading generally at 6-1 – with Irish challengers Burrows Saint and Any Second Now closest behind him, each at 10-1.

What were the placings at the Grand National 2021?

The gruelling race so only a handful of horses complete the course. Aidan Coleman partnered Balko Des Flos – and Any Second Now was third for trainer Ted Walsh, with Willie Mullins’ Burrows Saint finishing fourth to complete a clean sweep for Irish horses.

The top five placings in the steeplechase were:

1. Minella Times 11/1

2. Balko Des Flos 100/1

3. Any Second Now 15/2

4. Burrows Saint 9/1

5. Farclas 16/1

Who is Rachael Blackmore?

Blackmore was born 11 July 1989 and hails from Killenaule in County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland.

She rode her first winner as an amateur jockey on 10 February 2011. She turned professional in March 2015 and rode her first professional winner in September 2015.

Blackmore is particularly linked to the stable of trainer Henry de Bromhead.

In 2021, at the Cheltenham Festival, Blackmore became the first female jockey to partner a winner of the Champion Hurdle and, by finishing with six winners across the four days, she also became the first female jockey to win the Ruby Walsh Trophy for leading Cheltenham jockey.

After winning the National, Blackmore said: "I just cannot believe it He was an absolutely sensational. By god, what Henry de Bromhead does with these horses. I just can’t believe it.

"This is unbelievable. He was just incredible.

"I was trying to wait as long as I could. When we jumped the last and I asked for a bit, he was there. I don’t feel male or female, I don’t even feel human. I feel unbelievable.”