N P Madden on Numbersixvalverde celebrates after winning the 2006 John Smith's Grand National
2000 - Irish father and son Ted and Ruby Walsh won the race with "Papillon" who was subject of a huge morning gamble dropping odds from 33-1 down to around 12-1 netting a supposed £1m coup.
2001 - Following a week of torrential rain, which threatened to halt the Grand National, the world's greatest steeplechase had another mighty surprise for the punters. Out of 40 runners only 4 went on to cross the finishing line. 33-1 outsider, Red Marauder (Richard Guest) strode forth to take first spot and a hefty £310,000 in prizemoney. Not bad for a day's work!
2002 - Jockey Jim Culloty rounds of a whirlwind week by winning the Grand National on Irish horse Bindaree after original rider, Jamie Goldstein is ruled out by a broken leg sustained in the week leading up to the race. After loose horse Beau threatened to block Bindaree's path to glory over the final fence, the Nigel-Twiston Davies trained horse finally came in first at 20/1.
2003 - 16-1 outsider Monty's Pass was the surprise winner this year. Ridden by Barry Geraghty the Jimmy Mangan trained horse came home 12 lengths ahead of 40-1 Supreme Glory.
2004 - A record 70,000 people watched racing legend Ginger McCain make history by becoming only the second trainer in history to secure four Grand National victories. 16-1 outsider Amberleigh House, ridden by Graham Lee, caused an emotional storm as he came late to take the glory from the 10-1 co-favourite Clan Royal by three lengths, once more making McCain the King of Aintree.
2005 - Hedgehunter had Irish eyes smiling with a compelling victory under Ruby Walsh before a record crowd of 70,850. The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old suffered an agonising last-fence fall in last year's race, but had no such problems this time. He powered clear at the elbow and was fully 14 lengths to the good at the famous finishing line. Meanwhile, female jockey Carrie Ford answered her doubters, riding home to equal the best result for a female jockey in the Grand National.
2006 - IRISH eyes were smiling again at Aintree as 11-1 shot Numbersixvalverde edged out favourites Hedgehunter and Clan Royal to win the 2006 John Smith's Grand National. Numbersixvalverde gave jockey Niall "Slippers" Madden a dream first ride over the Aintree fences and delighted successful owner Bernard Carroll, who named the horse after his Algarve holiday home. Only nine out of the forty starters finished the race which was delayed due a false start after Ross Comm was adjudged to have had his head over the tape by race stewards.
2007 - 33-1 shot Silver Birch saw off the Welsh-trained challenge of McKelevey to win the John Smith's Grand National. The ten-year-old, who was strongly fancied in the National two years ago before failing to make the line-up after heat was discovered in a leg, headed an all-Emerald Isle first four to give the youngest owner and the youngest trainer in the race a fairytale win.
