Bindaree romps to victory in National

AINTREE, England -- The 20-1 Bindaree has won the 2002 Martell Grand National horse race in one of the closest and most dramatic finishes for years.

The victory held mixed feelings for jockey Jim Culloty, who capped a memorable season by riding Bindaree, who was until Wednesday due to be ridden by Jamie Goldstein.

But Goldstein broke his leg in a fall and Culloty came in for the spare ride.

Three weeks ago Culloty had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Best Mate and becomes the only jockey to complete a big-race double since John Burke achieved similar success on Royal Frolic and Rag Trade in 1976.

"It is unbelievable!" Culloty said afterwards. "But it is awful for Jamie Goldstein. Missing the National winner is a jockey's worst nightmare.

"Bindaree is a brilliant jumper and he got me out of jail at the last. Because of the loose horse I could not kick on in front and I got caught for a bit of speed.

"The second horse came past and for a split second I thought I was beat but I got him on the rail, he lengthened and he really stretched his neck out."

Earlier, thousands of racegoers at the Aintree racecourse, near Liverpool, held a minute's silence in memory of the Queen Mother.

It was also an emotional victory for Bindaree's owner Raymond Mould, whose wife Jenny died of cancer in November 2000.

"Now that we have won the race we shall have to come back next year but if my late wife Jenny had been alive we would not have had a runner in the race," Mould said.

"She did not like the National."

Eleven horses completed the course, including Mely Mount after jockey Norman Williamson re-mounted.

Manx Magic died after breaking its neck in a fall at the 20th fence and The Last Fling, which fell at the 24th, was put down.