Another McCain National victory with BallaBriggs

BallaBriggs was an emotional winner of the John Smith's Grand National for Donald McCain, son of Aintree legend Ginger McCain, the trainer of Red Rum.

The Presenting gelding was always prominent and headed for home three out in the marathon contest.

He was strongly pressed turning for home as Oscar Time, and amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, threw down a challenge.

However, Jason Maguire's mount, a 14-1 chance, found more on the gruelling run to the line to take glory in the world's greatest steeplechase by two and a quarter lengths.

Tony McCoy gave last year's winner Don't Push It every chance and the top weight put up a gallant defence of his crown to finish third.

Another National veteran, State Of Play, flew home to finish fourth with Niche Market fifth and 15-2 favourite The Midnight Club sixth.

Maguire had to pass the doctor on Friday after a bad fall 24 hours earlier and he was in danger of missing the ride.

Maguire could have ridden Silver Birch in the 2004 renewal but stayed loyal to McCain's Cloudy Lane and probably thought his chance of glory had gone.

But he gave BallaBriggs a fantastic spin, jumping for fun at the head of affairs.

For McCain, it is the culmination of an ambition to join his father on the roll of honour.

Winning owner Trevor Hemmings said: "It's great. I had my heart in my mouth but it has all worked out.

"Congratulations to Donald and all the team for all the hard work they have done."

Maguire said: "This is crazy. I've got to thank Donald, Mr Hemmings, my mother and father, everybody. It's a dream come true. He loved it.

"I tried to get in the first 10 early on so that if he did make a mistake we hadn't as much ground to make up - he loved it and was jumping from fence to fence.

"I got him to the front to get him relaxed and put breathers into him and that helped him get the trip.

"There was a question mark about him getting the trip, but Donald has done a great job.

"I don't know what I feel. I'm just overwhelmed, I'm sure it will sink in later."

McCain said: "It's just fantastic. And to win it for Mr Hemmings as well, this race means as much to him as it does to us.

"It's great for Jason because he missed out on Silver Birch.

"We've always thought this might be an Aintree horse and you only need to see the way he's taken to this place today.

"Good horses are easy to train. Everything has gone smoothly all year and he had a nice prep at Kelso last time.

"He's just an absolute pleasure to deal with, I know he's won a Grand National, but he is.

"Jason got off him after the race but he's all right."

Hemmings was celebrating his second National success after Hedgehunter won in 2005.

He added: "It's happened to me once before with Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

"It's nice to be part of it (again). I was stunned last time and rightfully so as no-one has a right to that trophy.

"I was in the old stand in 2005, now I'm in the new stand in 2011. It's beautiful, you can't describe the feeling, it's incredible."

Amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen reflected on one of the "best 10 minutes" of his life after he went close to achieving a remarkable big-race double.

Just three weeks earlier, the 28-year-old had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Long Run, also owned by his father, Robert.

And he put up a gallant attempt to become only the seventh jockey to win the two biggest jump races in the calendar as Oscar Time finished second to Ballabriggs in the Aintree spectacular.

"He gave me a fantastic spin. It's been a phenomenal season. I feel incredibly lucky and honoured to be riding in these big races and for it to go so well," said Waley-Cohen, who runs a group of dental practices.

"The plan was always to come with one smooth run. We knew he had a huge jump in him so I was just trying to get him to pop a little bit and save and not get too keen.

"He did everything I asked of him and the National course is so special. If the horse takes to it it can be the best 10 minutes of your life, and the shortest as well."

Waley-Cohen's father was proud of his son's performance on the 10-year-old, trained in Ireland by Martin Lynch.

He said: "That was fantastic. Obviously it was a little bit disappointing not to win, but it's not often you can say when you finish second that it was a fantastic run.

"Sam gave him a fantastic ride. He had him in the right place at the right time but unfortunately they found one too good.

"Martin gave him a perfect preparation and hopefully as he is only 10 there may be a bit left to come back next year and I am sure Martin will train him with that in mind."

Tony McCoy also made a creditable attempt to make racing history on Don't Push It, who was third in his bid to repeat last year's win.

The last horse to win successive Nationals was Red Rum in 1973 and 1974, trained by Ginger McCain, the father of this year's triumphant trainer, Donald.

"He ran a great race and all credit to the horse. It's very difficult for horses to win back-to-back Nationals," said McCoy.

"He was off the bridle a little bit early and he got a little bit low at a couple of fences late on which was energy-sapping.

"I tried to get him to finish in the best possible position but well done to Jason Maguire, Trevor Hemmings and Donald McCain."

Don't Push It's owner JP McManus felt his horse was beaten by the weight.

"He ran his heart out, but perhaps he had 10lb too much," he said.

"He came into the race in great form and gave it everything and it is great to see him come back and run so well after his win last year.

"We don't have any excuses. It was a good performance and we will have to see about next year. He will be 12 then."

Don't Push It's trainer Jonjo O'Neill was also proud of his charge.

"He has run a smashing race under that weight," he said.

"It is always good to see them come back and run so well the second time but he wasn't quite good enough on this occasion."