Douvan was deadly at Aintree in 2016
Douvan was deadly at Aintree in 2016

LOG-IN & WATCH: From the archive - free replays of feature races at Aintree's 2016 Grand National Festival


Our countdown to Saturday's Virtual Grand National continues with a look back at some of the highlights of the big Aintree meeting in 2016.

We'll be running a Grand National special 'From the archive' in the coming days so for now soak up some of the memorable replays from the supporting races at one of the most eagerly-anticipated meetings of the jumps season.

Simply click on the links and press play to watch the videos.

WATCH: Apple's Jade - Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle

Apple's Jade moved ominously well as they turned into the straight for the final time but few would have predicted just what happened next. She popped three out for Bryan Cooper before absolutely exploding away from the field, ultimately eased right down to score by 41 lengths. Simply stunning.

WATCH: Cue Card - Betfred Bowl

Don Poli, Djakadam, Dynaste, Taquin Du Seuil and Saphir Du Rheu all kicked into touch by a brilliant Cue Card, who had fallen when still in with a massive chance of completing the jumps season's Triple Crown in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This win clearly meant a lot to a lot of people, not least his big-race jockey Paddy Brennan. Classy, dominant and not far off the horse's best performances of his life.

WATCH: Buveur D'Air - Top Novices' Hurdle

Nicky Henderson's fifth success in the Top Novices' Hurdle and a tight-run thing as subsequent dual Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air edges out Petit Mouchoir by a neck, with eight lengths back to Limini in third. He went on to win the following year's Aintree Hurdle by five length from stablemate My Tent Or Yours.

WATCH: Native River - Mildmay Novices' Chase

The seventh start of Native River's novice chase campaign but without question the best performance. He was such a willing partner for Richard Johnson, galloping on strongly in the straight after making most of the running. His jumping late on was absolutely faultless, a joy to watch all over again.

WATCH: Yorkhill - Mersey Novices' Hurdle

Despite winning four Grade Ones all told, Yorkhill has to go down as a horse who never quite fulfilled his immense potential, but he was on a right roll at the end of his novice hurdle season and followed up Cheltenham Festival glory with a hard-fought success. He jumped left at times and looked to be reaching the end of his tether after shying away from the elbow, but he was toying with us all and found more for Paul Townend when challenged by Le Prezien on the run to the line.

WATCH: Douvan - Maghull Novices' Chase

In the midst of a 14-race winning run, Douvan was simply awesome in the 2016 Maghull, cruising clear of his nearest pursuer - Gordon Elliott's The Game Changer - after a foot-perfect leap at the final fence. He had 14 lengths in hand at the line in the hands of a motionless Paul Townend.


Coming up this week

  • Let’s talk about... Tiger Roll
  • Let’s talk about... Foinavon
  • From the archives: Aintree’s finest
  • Dave Ord’s Grand National memories
  • Ben Linfoot’s 2020 3yos
  • Inside the Industry - Latest from Oli Bell
  • Let’s talk about... Devon Loch
  • Let’s talk about... Esha Ness
  • Ed Chamberlin – Presenting the National
  • Let’s talk about... best ever National bet
  • My National runner - Oli Bell
  • Let’s talk about... Red Rum
  • From the archives: Grand National
  • How I won the National – Daryl Jacob
  • Let’s talk about… What would’ve won this year’s National
  • From the archives: Tiger Roll’s Nationals
  • Ed Chamberlin – Five favourite Nationals
  • April 4 - VIRTUAL GRAND NATIONAL

Continue reading this article...

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