Door still open for champion McCoy Tony McCoy expressed his delight with the performance of Shutthefrontdoor in the Crabbie's Grand National even though the favourite faded into fifth place after looking sure to be involved in the finish. It would have been the champion jockey's final ride had he won, as McCoy had said he would hang up his boots immediately if the fairytale success came along. Instead he is likely to continue until the end of the season before bringing down the curtain on his illustrious career in the saddle. McCoy said: "I was very happy all the way, but just between the fourth- and the third-last I was following Many Clouds and I knew he was a dour stayer. "I was behind him in the Hennessy and thought I might get past him, but he stuck at it well there. I thought from the third-last I was struggling. "I got a great ride off him and Jonjo (O'Neill) had him in great shape. He jumped fantastic and I wouldn't mind riding him next year! "I'm going to miss riding horses like that and in races like that. I got a great buzz out of it and I thought for a long way he could win. It's my last National, but it was a very enjoyable one. "I just want to say well done to Leighton Aspell and Oliver Sherwood and Trevor Hemmings. It's great for them." O'Neill said of Shutthefrontdoor: "He ran a blinder. He did everything right, he was following the right horses, but unfortunately he wasn't good enough on the day and maybe he didn't get the trip. "It's good news, at least I've got AP (McCoy) for a couple more weeks (before retirement)." Saint Are ran on strongly all the way to the line to make Many Clouds pull out all the stops and went down by only a length and three-quarters, while Monbeg Dude was a further six lengths away after at one stage looking as if he might get involved in the finish. "I'm delighted with him. He looks as fresh as paint after it. Stamina is not a problem and he's a run a great race," said trainer Tom George of the runner-up. "He got close to a couple of fences but everything went right. He has been beaten by a better horse on the day. You can't fault him. I thought for a second he might get there. It was all very exciting." Monbeg Dude delighted his team by improving on last year's seventh-place finish. Jockey Liam Treadwell, who won the 2009 National aboard Mon Mome, said: "I thought I'd win after the last, his run just flattened out, but everyone's delighted. The horse has enjoyed it, I've enjoyed it and I'm very pleased." Trainer Michael Scudamore added: "To run a race like that is absolutely amazing. I'm so proud of the horse and so pleased for him." Alvarado was fourth for the second successive year for Fergal O'Brien, who said: "He's a horse that's given his heart and soul again today. "There's no real hard luck stories. We are very lucky. He got baulked a bit at the Canal Turn and Paul (Moloney) said it put him out of his rhythm a little. We're over the moon again."
