The 2012 Grand National was the closest in history and winning jockey Daryl Jacob relives his emotions during this fascinating interview complete with thrilling race footage.
"Neptune knew he'd won that race didn't he?! Watch his ears when he goes past the winning post and one of them flickers!"
If Paul Nicholls was right and Neptune Collonges really did know he'd won the 2012 Grand National, then he was the only living being that did.
Daryl Jacob was the jockey on board the history-making grey at Aintree that day and in this brilliant interview with Sporting Life's Dave Ord, the Irishman watches the unforgettable race back and relives the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced throughout it, culminating in a dramatic photo finish.
Neptune Collonges was a 33/1 shot heading into the race but after battling it out for over four miles and negotiating 16 iconic fences around two laps, he bravely reeled in Sunnyhillboy (16/1) to become the first grey to win the race since Nicolaus Silver in 1961 and only the third different grey ever to do so, with The Lamb being the other in 1868 and 1871.
It was the closest climax in the race's illustrious 173-year history and Jacob explains what he went through, including the anxious wait for a photo finish, the elation of becoming champion and the moments he shared with Sunnyhillboy's heartbroken jockey Richie McLernon in the aftermath.
Not to mention how he spent the evening in hospital visiting his good friend Noel Fehily, who broke a leg after falling on State of Play.
It really is a fascinating watch for all jump racing fans around the world, whether you remember the race or not.
Chapters:
- 0:00 Daryl Jacob's relationship with 'poor old Neptune'!
- 1:50 Neptune's slow start
- 2:45 Working through the field
- 3:10 Canal Turn-ing point
- 4:05 The iconic final jump
- 5:15 Reeling in Sunnyhillboy
- 5:45 Neptune 'knew' but Daryl didn't!
- 6:15 The wait 'felt like a lifetime'
- 7:00 Celebration time
- 8:15 Conquering the National
- 8:50 Visiting Noel Fehily in hospital
- 9:20 Consoling Richie McLernon
WATCH: BUILDING THE PERFECT RACEHORSE
We asked legendary trainers Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls - as well as star jockeys Harry Skelton, Sam Twiston-Davies, Charlie Deutche and Daryl Jacob - to create a Frankenstein's Monster of a racehorse.
WATCH: THE FULL INTERVIEW
You can watch the full, uninterrupted interview with Daryl Jacob below or you can listen via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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