Royal Athlete, at 40-1, Wins Grand National

Royal Athlete, a 40-1 shot, pulled away from favored Gold Cup winner Master Oats three fences from the end Saturday to win the Grand National--the world’s most grueling steeplechase.

The 12-year-old chestnut gelding, ridden by Jason Titley, won the 4 1/2-mile race by seven lengths, with 1992 winner Party Politics second and 100-1 shot Over the Deel an additional six lengths back.

Master Oats, bidding to become the first Gold Cup winner since 1934 to win the National in the same season, was seventh.

Jockey Norman Williamson rode a good tactical race, keeping the 9-year-old top-weighted gelding wide of the field to stay away from falling horses, but he could not find any pace in the final 200 yards.

Royal Athlete’s victory was the second in the race for trainer Jenny Pitman. She trained Corbiere to victory in 1983 and, two years ago, also had Esha Ness, who finished first in a race that was declared a non-event after a false start.

“Jason gave the horse a wonderful ride,” Pitman said. “I was very concerned when a loose horse began tracking across them.

“But Jason’s a pretty cool kid. He just eased the horse along.”

Owner Libby Johnson couldn’t watch the race.

“I just sat on the grass with my head in my hands,” he said.

Of the 35 starters, 15 finished.