Taking place at Aintree on 14th April 2012, the prize money for the 2012 rose from the previous year’s £950,000 to £975,000.

With a few safety measures brought in on account of two fatalities the year previous, the course was a noticeably improved and more runner-friendly. Showing plenty of racing nouse, Neptune Collonges steered ahead of its closest pursuers to hand the prize-chasing Daryl Jacob the most glorious accolade of them all.

This Grand National registered one of the closest finishes ever to a Grand National tussle. The photo finish, won by a nose, saw Sunnyhillboy come a whsiker away from pocketing the top prize of £547,267.50. Still, the second prize of £205,822.50 is hrdly something to get down about. Third-place went to the favorite – 8/1 shot, Seabass –  ridden by Katie Walsh, and scooped over £100,000.

By placing third, Katie Walsh achieved the most impressive feat ever for a female jockey in the Grand National.