North Yorkshire trainer Peter Beaumont says he is delighted with the third place achievement of his horse Niki Dee in the Martell Grand National.

Peter Beaumont, right, with his horses Niki Dee and Young Kenny

Mr Beaumont, who trains at Brandsby, near Easingwold, was not so lucky with his other runner Young Kenny, but said he was relieved the horses and their riders had come through the race unscathed.

Niki Dee, ridden by jockey Robbie Supple, had odds of 25-1 and was described as a capable second-string horse for Mr Beaumont, but ended up outshining his stablemate Young Kenny, who fell at the tenth fence.

Mr Beaumont, who was entering horses in the Grand National for the first time, said: "Niki Dee ran a great race as I thought he would.

"Young Kenny unfortunately fell, although he was going well at the time.

"I'm delighted at Niki Dee's achievement and it means a £50,000 win for the owner, so it was worth going for.

"We celebrated by having a drink at Aintree but that was all because we had to get home. It was a great day and you've got to enjoy those.

"Both horses have come out of it all right.

"Young Kenny is no worse for his fall."

Mr Beaumont said he was relieved there were no injuries in the race in the wake of the heavy casualties incurred during the first two days racing.

He said that while Niki Dee will now enjoy a well-earned rest, Young Kenny is likely to be entered in next Saturday's Scottish Grand National.

Another local horse, Buck Rogers, owned by a 67-year-old housewife from Wetherby, fell at the 24th, six fences from the finish. The horse, which had odds of 50-1, was won as a prize in a raffle.

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