Horse racing: Russian Trigger wins Midlands Grand National

RUSSIAN Trigger rallied after the final fence to win the 40th Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter – and secure the biggest payout in horse racing history.

The 8-1 shot, ridden by Jack Doyle, lost the lead to Andrew Flintoff's Flintoff in the straight, but rallied to take the £57,000 prize by two and three-quarter lengths.

Runners and riders jockey for position at the start of Saturday's big race while, below, Russian Trigger stretches his legs to clinch a hard-earned victory.

Professional gambler Harry Findlay – who had seen his own horse Denman finish second in last week's Cheltenham Gold Cup – had joined with 10 other punters to cover all bar two of the field as they chased the Scoop6 pool bet bonus of £3,184,369.

Findlay, with four tickets, netted £909,819, while single-ticket holders – including John Johnson, aged 75, of Fife – picked up £227,454.

Mr Johnson said: "I've been doing the Scoop6 with my betting partner Norman since the bet began back in 1999 and we share a £2 line each week – though I pick the horses. We're still in shock – we can't believe we've been lucky enough to win."

Racecourse manager David MacDonald welcomed the extra publicity the massive dividend had ensured.

He added: "A doctor holding one of the tickets became immensely nervous when one of the horses they hadn't backed, The Dark Lord, took the lead for a while. It was fantastic to get the record at Uttoxeter."

For much of the race, Church Broughton-trained Gidam Gidam, from the stables of John Mackie, had looked good, but the horse's effort waned in the closing stages.

Nicto De Beauchene – trained by Robert and Sally Alner in Dorset – won the opening ToteScoop6 Handicap Chase at 12-1, while Snake Charmer (18-1) took the John Smith's Hucknall Constitutional Club Handicap Hurdle.

Fredo (5-1) was the winner of the JC Acoustics 10-year Anniversary Novices' Handicap Hurdle, and the toteswinger Novices' Hurdle went the way of the 3-1 chance Ogee.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy needed all his persuasive abilities to get the 6-4 favourite Rash Moment to put his head in front in the Barwood Products Handicap Chase.

And the most successful jump jockey of all time wasn't finished. He won the closing RC Tuxford Exports Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race on Aberdale at 7-2.

The next racing at Uttoxeter takes place on Saturday, March 28, with the Lambrini Classic. MacDonald said: "I have to commend the course staff who have got the track looking fantastic already."