And they’re back: Aintree crowds return to cheer on 50-1 winner at the National

Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen enjoyed a dream end to his racing career yesterday after steering 50-1 shot Noble Yeats to Grand National victory at Aintree in his last race.

The 39-year-old who works full-time as a dentist announced he was retiring last week and the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile showpiece would be the finale to his glittering career.

Waley-Cohen, who previously came second in the Grand National in 2011, took Noble Yeats – which is owned by his father – over the finish line ahead of 15-2 favourite Any Second Now, followed by Delta Work and then Santini.

Waley-Cohen said: “It’s a dream. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve got to say thank you, as it’s my last ever ride, to my dad, for unwavering belief and love.

“Over 23 years and never a cross word, never been anything but a dream. It’s been a love affair.”

The rider has four Cheltenham Festival victories to his name, including Long Run’s epic 2011 Gold Cup success, becoming the first amateur jockey in 30 years to win the race. He also won the 2010 and 2012 King George VI Chase at Kempton aboard Long Run.

Waley-Cohen’s father, Robert, said: “It’s a dream come true. Just fabulous. It’s a team and thank God it has really worked. He has so much dedication and puts in so much hard work.”

It was the first Grand National runner for trainer Emmet Mullins, who said: “There was a long term plan and it seems to have come off.

“A month ago we were probably more confident but the more it went on, other people’s chances were being talked up and we went a bit cold. But we knew the form was there.”

Crowds returned to the UK’s premier horse racing event for the first time in three years after pandemic restrictions were lifted last month.

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Around 70,000 people filled the racecourse at Aintree in Merseyside in what was a welcome return to the traditional glitz and glamour.

Excited racegoers braved rain and chilly temperatures at the sold-out betting extravaganza.

Thousands of the attending women stayed true to the colourful vibe of the annual event, arriving adorned with a stunning array of flamboyant headwear and dresses, while men also made an extra effort with stylish suits.

Among the famous faces attending were the Duchess of Cornwall, Scotland legend and Post columnist Sir Kenny Dalglish and Sky Sports presenter Chris Kamara.

The race attracts people from across the country to the north-west of England and is typically one of the busiest days for bookmakers in the UK.

More than £150m was wagered by punters, many of whom do not usually watch or bet on horse racing the rest of the year.

Two thousand staff were hired and 200 chefs were needed in hospitality to serve up 11,500 meals over the three days, with punters eating three tonnes of potatoes and 711kg of cheese.

The race itself features 30 jumps, including Becher’s Brook and The Chair, over two laps with a total distance of four and a quarter miles.

It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of around £1 million.

Last year saw Rachael Blackmore become the first woman to ride the winner of the world’s most famous steeplechase, partnering Henry de Bromhead’s Minella Times.

Racing then was held behind closed doors with only a handful of owners and trainers able to spectate.

The UK-wide lockdown in April 2020 saw it cancelled for the first time since the Second World War at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ten thousand free tickets were handed out to NHS heroes in and around Liverpool this year as a show of appreciation for their work during the pandemic.

In total, an estimated 150,000 attended the three-day event, which began on Thursday, with Ladies Day following on Friday.

First held in 1839 with a field of 17, it has expanded over the years and now features 40 runners.