Few trainers can boast a win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National on their CV but Mouse Morris is now a signed-up member to that elite club after Rule The World gave him an emotional victory in this year's Aintree showpiece.
In what has been a testing 12 months for the popular County Tipperary handler following the tragic death of his son, Christopher, last summer, the nine-year-old delivered him a triumph that had eluded him since sending out his first runner in the race more than 30 years ago — and in the process broke his maiden status over fences.
Prominently positioned throughout the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile contest by teenager David Mullins on his first National ride, the Grade Two-winning hurdler seemed to take a distinct liking to the unique fences.
As the field thinned out with the rain-softened conditions taking their toll, Mullins’ dream of National glory at the first attempt was nearly shattered as Rule The World (33-1), having barely put a foot wrong, made a mistake at the fourth-last, forcing him to sit tight.
The mistake failed to stop the momentum of last year’s Irish Grand National runner-up, though, as on straightening up his sights were firmly set on the duelling pair of The Last Samuri and Vics Canvas, who after jumping the last were virtually inseparable.
As The Last Samuri eventually mastered the veteran Vics Canvas just after the elbow in his bid to give trainer Kim Bailey a first win since that of Mr Frisk back in 1990, he was then forced to try and hold off the sustained challenge from Rule The World.
Try as he might he could not quite see it out and despite his courageous attempts to match strides with the Irish challenger it was to no avail, with Mullins finding that bit extra to forge his mount ahead deep inside the final furlong and take the spoils by six lengths.
Morris, who landed the Irish equivalent last month with Rogue Angel, said: “He’s a class horse on his day, even though he was a maiden over fences coming into this. The last few weeks have been a bit like a Disney story. I just can’t believe it.
“With half a mile to go I was going to be happy with third, but somebody was obviously looking down on us again.
“I didn’t want to ask (Christopher) twice, having already won an Irish National. I thought we’d used up all our luck.
“But he must be an iron horse to win a Grand National after his injuries.
“He’s fractured his pelvis twice. Before that I always thought he was the best horse I ever had, how good would he be with a proper rear end on him?
“He had a nice weight and he’s a class horse on his day. I know he was a maiden (over fences), but he’s been running good races — Grade One races — and banging on the door.
“This is next best to the Gold Cup (won with War Of Attrition in 2006).”
Winning owner Michael O’Leary crowned what has been a phenomenal few weeks having tasted success in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup with Don Cossack.
O’Leary said: “This is the cream on top. I don’t know what to feel, I’m numb. I thought I had no chance in it, I wanted to win a Gold Cup and it was beyond dreams that I could win a Grand National.
“This fellow has always been very good, but when you fracture your pelvis twice, you don’t think you’re going to be winning a Grand National.
“Today was only the second time we’ve had runners in the race. My first was Hear The Echo a few years ago, who tragically collapsed and died 500 yards from the line.
“Mouse is a genius of a trainer to get the horse back to this level after the injuries he’s had.
“This doesn’t compare to winning a Gold Cup. Every horse we buy is with the aim of being a Grade One horse.
“David showed great maturity, because he nearly fell at one stage, but he never panicked and was very cool, which seems to be a feature of the Mullins clan. It was a masterful ride.
“This horse could have been a Gold Cup horse without the injuries, but I’m not sure what we’ll do with him now.
“He could even retire, as what else does he need to do? If he never wins or runs again it doesn’t matter now.”
Mullins, who later completed a double aboard the Willie Mullins-trained Ivan Grozny in the concluding handicap hurdle, said: “It’s unbelievable. I just couldn’t expect things to have gone better.
“There was one little mishap at the fourth-last, but thank god I came out (the other side). Everything went to plan really.
“Credit to Mouse, he’s produced this horse without having won over fences. Then there’s me, who’s never even walked around the Grand National track.
“That’s the best ride I’ve ever got off a horse and it’s the best feeling to come back into a place like this.
“It was just brilliant.”
A proud Bailey said of 8-1 joint-favourite The Last Samuri: “Nothing is over until they cross the line, the horse tried his heart out and he jumped for fun.
“It’s the longest run-in you can possibly imagine. I was standing here screaming — my voice has gone.
“We’ve beaten the third horse, but another horse has come on the outside from nowhere.
“I’m just so proud. We’ll do it all over again next year 12lb worse off.”
ends
091952 APR 16
2016 Grand National — where they finished:
1st RULE THE WORLD 33/1
2nd The Last Samuri 8-1 six lengths
3rd Vics Canvas 100-1 eight lengths
4th Gilgamboa 28-1 two lengths
5th Goonyella
6th Ucello Conti
7th Vieux Lion Rouge
8th Morning Assembly
9th Shutthefrontdoor
10th Unioniste
11th Le Reve
12th Buywise
13th Pendra
14th Triolo D’Alene
15th Just A Par
16th Many Clouds
