Racing: Bindaree puts Culloty in dreamland

The Grand National: Sunlit Aintree serves up a classic cut-and-thrust duel and follows Cheltenham in delivering big-race glory to Ireland's new hero

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In conditions that could not have provided a greater contrast with last year's war of attrition in the mud, the eight-year-old gelding Bindaree won a stirring duel in the sun to take the 155th Grand National here yesterday. His defeat of What's Up Boys was a second triumph in four years for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies – and one which may put on hold his plans to retire – and a rare dream double for jockey Jim Culloty, who had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.

Bindaree, in the white-starred green silks of businessman Ray Mould, had a length and three-quarters to spare over his gallant protagonist. It was a further 27 lengths back to the 8-1 favourite Blowing Wind, who was third for the second successive year, and another nine back to fourth-placed Kingsmark. In all, 11 of the 40 starters finished.

Culloty, 28, had picked up the ride on Bindaree only on Thursday, after the chestnut's intended partner, Jamie Goldstein, had broken his leg in an innocuous contest at Ludlow.

And a cool, classic ride the man from Killarney gave the 20-1 shot, hunting along in midfield on the first lap before making significant progress over the line of fences to Becher's Brook second time round.

Bindaree's white-blazed face showed in front for the first time at the famous obstacle and, from there on, his only problem, albeit a serious one, was the distracting presence of a riderless rival. Ironically, the horse who so nearly became the villain of the piece was his own stablemate, Beau.

Coming back to the grandstands for the last time, the first four had shaken off the chasing pack and,by the last of the 30 fences the first two had the race to themselves. But the over-enthusiastic Beau, who had fallen a full circuit earlier, was zigzagging in front of his friend, denying him a clear line. A messy final leap handed the advantage to What's Up Boys.

"Bindaree is the most brilliant jumper and got me out of jail at the last," said Culloty. "I had wanted to kick on in front earlier, but the loose horse being there meant I couldn't. Between the last two I had nowhere to go as I had Richard [Johnson] on one side and the loose horse on the other. After the last the grey horse just caught me for a bit of speed and, when he went by and away, I thought for a second, 'Jesus, we're beat'."

But Culloty felt Bindaree had more to give and, in an inspired move, switched him to dive between his rival and the rail at the elbow of the long run-in. That change of direction and a target to aim at gave Bindaree the impetus he needed and, lengthening his stride, he took the £217,450 prize back to Gloucestershire and himself to immortality.

"Once I got him to the rail he showed he's as brave as they come," added Culloty. "He stuck his head out, ran for me and tried his hardest."

Beau's rider, Carl Llewellyn, with two Nationals already under his belt, had handed some sage advice beforehand to his younger colleague, yet to complete in three attempts. "Carl told me not to be in any hurry on Bindaree, and just to let him take his time and get into the race," said Culloty. "He was exactly right."

The Irishman, who won the Gold Cup on Best Mate for his own stable, is the first jockey to have scaled the twin towers of the jumping season since John Burke followed his Cheltenham win on Royal Frolic with success here on Rag Trade in 1976.

Typically, the winning jockey's thoughts were for Goldstein. "Missing the National winner is the worst nightmare for any jockey," Culloty said.

It takes two to make a duel and What's Up Boys, who was giving away 16lb to his rival, deserves huge credit. "It's annoying to get caught close home," said Johnson, "but he gave me 100 per cent, even when he got tired."

Yesterday's race, which had attracted a record entry, had been billed beforehand as one of the most open and competitive Nationals for years. Half-a-dozen horses were vying for favouritism right up to the off before punters settled for Tony McCoy's mount, Blowing Wind, one of eight from the Martin Pipe stable. One of the most significant market movers on the day was What's Up Boys, who was backed from 18-1 to 10-1.

The bright, spring sunshine and the perfect, emerald turf provided a much-needed antidote to last year's débâcle, but the National is still a challenge not to be taken lightly. For the fanciers of no fewer than nine horses, the anticipation did not last long.

The Irish mare Wicked Crack, the only one of her sex in the field, jumped the first fence in the lead but seconds later tipped on her nose and rolled over. The fancied pair Paris Pike – ridden by last year's winning jockey, Richard Guest – and Marlborough, the top weight, were among those who followed her down to earth.

Those who did come home deserve mention in despatches. Supreme Charm, who helped cut out the pace so well, stayed on for fifth, followed by tiny Celibate, the Pipe pair You're Agoodun and Royal Predica, the Ferdy Murphy stablemates Streamstown and Birkdale, and finally Mely Moss, the 2000 runner-up, who was remounted by Norman Williamson after a fall in the latter stages to bring up the rear.

But The Last Fling, who provided such a fine sight in flicking over his fences in the lead for more than a circuit, was one of two fatalities in the race. Sue Smith's 12-year-old damaged his back irreparably at the Canal Turn and had to be put down.

Manx Magic, from the Pipe stable, broke his neck at the 20th fence.

'Things may change. I'm a very ambitious man...'

I said I was going to give up training at the end of the season. I thought I had done everything I was going to do and would do something else. Things may be different now. I'm a very ambitious man. I don't want to be bumping along the bottom.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Bindaree

Now that we have won the race we shall have to come back next year. But if my late wife, Jenny, had been alive, we would not have had a runner in the race. She did not like the National. We haven't made any special plans to celebrate, but all that will change now.

Raymond Mould, owner of Bindaree

I was disappointed because after last year I thought he was the perfect National horse. He's such a good jumper and so intelligent but, looking back, he was happier on soft ground last year.

Tony McCoy, jockey of Blowing Wind

I really did think that he had it won two out, because he always stays on so strongly, but it just wasn't to be.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of What's Up Boys

I think we were very unlucky. He jumped brilliantly and was going very well when he was brought down. Paul Carberry, jockey of Ad Hoc

I beat the queue for the showers, anyway. Richard Guest, last year's winning jockey, whose mount Paris Pike fell at the first this year