Ireland's Monty's Pass landed a hefty long-range gamble for his connections as he galloped to an impressive success in the world's greatest steeplechase, the Martell Cognac Grand National, at Aintree today.
The Jimmy Mangan-trained 10-year-old, sent off at 16-1, hardly put a foot wrong for in-form jockey Barry Geraghty throughout the four and a half mile marathon, always up with the pace and jumping well under a confident ride.
He took over from long-time leader Gunner Welburn turning into the home straight and jumped the second-last fence in front.
Amberleigh House, trained by Ginger McCain, rekindled memories of Red Rum as he gave chase but Monty's Pass was in no mood to relinquish his lead as he stormed up the famous Liverpool straight.
Supreme Glory (40-1) actually stayed on late to grab second but the winner had 12 lengths in hand at the line.
Amberleigh House was a brave third at 33-1, confirming McCain's assertions that he would run a big race, while Gunner Welburn (16-1), who was not helped by a major blunder at The Chair, plugged on for fourth.
"It's pretty special, it was a brilliant, brilliant performance. He was jumping unbelievable," Mangan, who hails from County Cork, told the BBC.
"He's had a good rest and has come back 100 per cent. He has never let us down and is always in the money. He's the star of the stable, he was second at Aintree last year. has won a Kerry National and was unlucky not to win two.
"It's the thing you dream about. It's nice to have a runner and to have the winner is unreal. Barry was superb."
The success continued a great run for the jockey, who finished leading rider at this year's Cheltenham Festival.
"He was dynamite. Everywhere I went it was a case of how far. It was unbelievable how he could do it so easily," Geraghty said.
"I had a lovely run, there was no real tactic to go in front.
"I had a dream of a run the whole way and he jumped unbelievable.
"It's a thrill to finish a National never mind to win one.
"It's hard to believe he could win so easily."
Monty's Pass is owned by the Dee Racing Syndicate headed by Blackpool-born Mike Futter, who admitted to winning around #800,000 on the result.
"It went exactly as we'd planned," he said.
"Barry's on top of his form, the trainer had him primed for the day and we've told everyone about him for the last three weeks.
"I know lots and lots of people backed him at 33-1 but I got a little bit better."
But backers of the market leaders were not so lucky as Shotgun Willy, Iris Bleu and Ad Hoc all failed to complete the course.
Last year's winner Bindaree was at the back of the field for a long way but ran on in good style to take sixth at the finish.