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http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/

Aintree, Saturday

John Smith's Grand National (Grade 3) 4m4f, 7yo+

NEPTUNE COLLONGES gave champion trainer Paul Nicholls his first Grand National at the 53rd attempt as jockey Daryl Jacob edged out Richie McLernon on Sunnyhillboy in a thrilling photo finish to the world's most famous race.

John Hales's gallant grey, sent off at 33-1, nailed Sunnyhillboy (16-1) on the line by a nose, the shortest winning margin in the history of the Aintree marathon.

Neptune Collonges, who became the first grey winner of the National since 1961, was immediately retired so goes out in a blaze of glory.

Sadly, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised was one of two deaths reported after the race, alongside According To Pete.

Very sadly a wonderful finish to to the race was marred by the deaths of two horses as "The Grand National undoubtedly represents a challenge to both horse and rider and because of this it has inherent risks and many safety measues have been taken in the last 15 years but there will always be that risk l am afraid not just here but in jump racing up and down the country.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...s/1015767/top/

CONNECTIONS of Frankel were forced to deny rumours circling on Saturday afternoon that the superstar colt had been retired.

Frankel injured an off-fore in a routine gallop on Wednesday morning and suggestions the world's highest rated horse had run his last race spread like wildfire as the eyes of the racing world were fixed on the John Smith's Grand National.

However, Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Frankel's owner Khalid Abdullah, assured fans that was not the case

Lets hope these rumours are not true as this would be a great shame for the sport.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...t/1015646/top/

Aintree, Saturday

John Smith´s Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f, 4yo+

TRAINER Nicky Henderson and jockey Barry Geraghty racked up a treble on Grand National day as Oscar Whisky narrowly denied Thousand Stars in the Aintree Hurdle.

of the first two was a carbon copy of last year's contest.

Rock On Ruby came home in third, while Ruby Walsh was lucky to walk away after he was involved in heavy fall on 2-1 favourite Zarkandar. He was later stood down for the day on medical advice.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...e/1015610/top/

Aintree, Saturday

John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m, 5yo+

SPRINTER SACRE continued his hugely impressive winning run as he trounced his rivals like a 1-7 shot should.

Toubab was the only one who provided any sort of threat to the Racing Post Arkle Chase hero turning in, but once he made a mistake at the second-last the writing was on the wall with Barry Geraghty's mount coasting away for an easy 13-length win.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...e/1015571/top/

Aintree, Saturday

John Smith's Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m4f, 4yo+

IMPRESSIVE Cheltenham Festival winner Simonsig added a Grand National meeting triumph to his record when he landed the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

Successful in the Grade 1 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle last month, the Nicky Henderson-trained Simonsig was set off the 4-9 favourite to follow up and those who tookthe short odds had little to worry about.