Ted Walsh hailed Randox Grand National winner Noble Yeats and retiring jockey Sam Waley-Cohen. But he admitted defeat for his 15-2 favourite Any Second Now at Aintree was a 'sickener.
Walsh, who won the Grand National with Papillon in 2000 Aintree Racecourse, knew how owner Robert Waley-Cohen, son Sam and trainer Emmet Mullins felt after Noble Yeats landed a two-and-a-quarter-length victory in the world's greatest steeplechase. But having also finished third, eight lengths behind historic winner Minella Times, also when ridden by Mark Walsh, the trainer was naturally disappointed to not see Any Second Now triumph. Although he hailed the JP McManus-owned gelding's effort in defeat.
Ted Walsh said: "To get that close it's a sickener, but equally it's a great out for the Waley-Cohen family, and seeing the father going down the track to meet his son in tears.
"Mark (Walsh, jockey) said he missed the break, but that he jumped and travelled well. I thought jumping the last he might get there, but the other horse has outstayed us from the elbow. I've seen a lot happen from the elbow, including Crisp getting caught by Red Rum.
"Unfortunately for us the post is another 100 yards away, and that's where you get paid."
READ MORE: Noble Yeats gives Sam Waley-Cohen the perfect send-off
Gordon Ellliott's Delta Work, who had defeated dual National winner and stable-mate Tiger Roll in his final race at last month's Cheltenham Festival swansong last month, ran another fine race to be third. He was 20 lengths adrift but his County Meath handler was happy with the efffort.
Elliott said: "I thought he was a bit novicey, but then he crept into it. We were close enough if good enough and I was very happy with his third finish."
Polly Gundry's Santini was the first British-trained runner home as Irish trainers landed a fifth success in the last six runings as well as a 1-2-3.
Santini, under Nick Scholfield, was a further length-and-a-quarter back in fourth, and Gundry was delghted with the effort of her first ever Grand Naitonal runner.
She said: "This was such an amazing thrill with a beautiful old fashioned horse and I'm so pleased to see him come back.
"To show the courage to avoid the carnage, I feel honoured to train him. He got better and better as the race developed.
"But we are also thrilled for the Waley-Cohens who come from the point-to-point world like us. It's just a fairytale ending."
Colin Tizzard was saddling his final runners in the Grand National before handing over the reigns to son Joe at the end of the season. His final two runners, Fiddlerontheroof and Lostintranslation, were fifth and last of the 15 finishers respectively.
He said: "Lostintranslation enjoyed himself and ran well for well over a circuit and Fiddler also took to the fences. He stayed on and has just got tired. I'm delighted with both of them."
Martin Brassil, who won the Grand National with Numbersixvalverde in 2006, saw his Longhouse Poet finish sixth under Darragh O'Keeffe. And Brassil said: "Brilliant, he had a great run around and had a good break. In fairness, his jumping was very good and he ran a cracker. We're delighted with him."
Minella Times had helped Rachael Blackmore become the first female jockey to win the Grand National 12 months ago. But he came down at the ninth fence, Valentine's Brook, this time.
Blackmore said: "He just jumped into the horse in front of him at Valentine's."
Charlie Longsdon's Becher Chase heroine Snow Leopardess had been a well-backed 10-1 but she was pulled up before the 16th fence by rider Aidan Coleman.
He said: "The ground was too quick and she couldn't lay up. She just wasn't quick enough, but she's fine and could go for the Irish National or something like that."
Emma Lavelle was left heartbroken after Eclair Surf died on Sunday morning as a result of injuries suffered in his fall in Saturday's Randox Grand National.
The eight-year-old was among the leading contenders for the Aintree showpiece, having won the Classic Chase at Warwick before chasing home last week's Scottish National heroine Win My Wings in the Eider at Newcastle.
Eclair Surf looked likely to miss out on a place in the Grand National field earlier in the week, but unexpected defections meant he came off the reserve list.
Cruelly, however, he had a heavy fall at the third fence and while he was stabilised on course and walked onto transport back to the racecourse stables, he was later referred to Leahurst Equine Hospital and his deteriorating condition overnight led to him being euthanised on welfare grounds.
"We were optimistic when he left the track, but during the night he just got more and more wobbly and as he got more distressed it wasn't the right thing to do to keep going," said Lavelle.
"He was in the right place for those decisions to be made and the team both at the races and at the hospital were great.
"You kind of sit there and think of the ifs and buts and why nots, but you can't sit and think that.
"It's a real gutter for everybody - his owners and the team. He was an exciting horse for the future, but what can you say?"
Chris Proudman, veterinary advisor to Aintree Racecourse, said: "We were sad to learn that Eclair Surf had to be put to sleep this morning.
"After his fall yesterday he was stabilised on course before walking onto transport back to the stables. Following further veterinary evaluation he was referred to Leahurst Equine Hospital last night.
"Everything possible will have been done for him and our thoughts are very much with those who loved and cared for him."
Eclair Surf was one of two fatalities in the National along with the Paul Nolan-trained Discorama, who was pulled up by Bryan Cooper having sustained a pelvic injury.
Nolan said: "I'm devastated. But that is racing and you have to accept those things.
"He was a great servant and he gave us some great days, but all we can do is reflect on the couple of happy days and what he has done for us.
"It is just devastating for the owners and the yard, and it it is just one of those awful things, but it is part of racing and that is what it is.
"Unfortunately I could not attend. My father is sick at home and we had to come back from Aintree, so we are with him now.
"He's not good. It puts everything into perspective. We did not tell him the horse was fatally injured, (just) that he pulled muscles and was home - there are certain things you have to say to soften the blow."
