The race was won by eight-year-old 20/1 shot Bindaree, ridden by Jim Culloty and trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies at Grange Hill Farm in Naunton, Gloucestershire, by a distance of 1¾ lengths from What's Up Boys (10/1) in a time of 10 minutes 3 seconds.

[2] (st-lb) The long-time ante-post favourite was Moor Lane but his price began to drift as possibility grew that the horse was so far down the handicap that it would not make the cut of forty runners.

The other long-time ante-post favourite was Welsh Grand National winner Supreme Glory but the horse was withdrawn a few weeks before the race.

The favourite gave his backers a good run for their money and shared the lead with Bindaree until three fences from the finish when he was outpaced to come home in third place.

[3] Despite several jumping errors, the 10/1 joint-second favourite was lying a close fifth when brought down three fences from home by the falling David's Lad leaving many to regard him as the hard luck story of the race.

[4] The pair moved into the leading contingent early on the second circuit and was still going well in fourth place when falling at the third-last fence.

Red Ark unseated its rider and Struggles Glory was brought down by the fall of 10/1 shot Paris Pike.

As they crossed over the Melling Road towards the final two fences Bindaree led What's Up Boys who was followed by Blowing Wind and Kingsmark, the group of four had pulled a couple of lengths clear of Royal Predica and Supreme Charm.

Behind these was You're Agoodun, Royal Predica, Streamstown, Birkdale and Mely Moss who was last to complete after falling at the second last fence (29th) and remounting.

[6] [6][7][8][9][10][11] Winner Bindaree collected a prize of £290,000 for his owner Raymond Mould, while Aintree reported a record attendance in the modern era of 120,000 spectators over the meeting and 63,000 for the National itself.

Mark Bradburne also fell at the first while the other rookies were Paul Moloney, Marcus Foley, Barry Cash, Gerry Supple and Philip O'Brien.

Former winner Carl Llewellyn was the most experienced rider in the race, weighing out for a Grand National for the 12th time, though he too failed to complete the course on this occasion on leading contender Beau.

Winning jockey Jim Culloty told the press after the race: "When the second horse came by us I thought, "Jesus, we're beat!

This was immediately followed by a live race preview show, The Night Before the National, on BBC Two, presented by Clare Balding from the pre-National gala dinner at St. George's Hall in Liverpool.

It was the 43rd consecutive year the BBC broadcast the race in a Grand National Grandstand special and was presented by Sue Barker.

The commentary team remained, John Hanmer, Tony O'Hehir and Jim McGrath, who called the horses home for the fifth year.

BBC Radio covered the race for the 71st year, on the Saturday Sport on Five broadcast hosted by Mark Pougatch and Cornelius Lysaght.

The radio commentary team was Ian Bartlett, Peader Flanagan and Dave Smith, with Lee McKenzie calling the runners home for the first time.