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So Close, Yet So Far: The Greatest Horses Never to Win the Grand National
From Delta Work to Clan Royal – Aintree’s near-miss legends remembered
A Race Where Legends Are Made – and Others Just Miss Out
The Grand National, with its iconic fences, relentless distance and unpredictable drama, is a race steeped in glory. Victory at Aintree immortalises a horse, a jockey, and a trainer – but for every Red Rum or Tiger Roll, there are countless top-class chasers who have come heartbreakingly close yet never quite sealed the deal.
As we edge closer to the 2025 Randox Grand National, the recent passing of Delta Work casts a poignant shadow over the sport. A familiar figure in staying chases, Delta Work ran a brilliant race in 2024, finishing second to I Am Maximus– only to be denied a final moment of glory. His performance served as yet another reminder of just how cruel the Grand National can be, even to the most talented and deserving.
In this article, we reflect on some of the finest horses in modern history who dazzled the Aintree crowd, flirted with victory, but ultimately walked away without the crown.
Delta Work – A Gallant Farewell
Trained by Gordon Elliott, Delta Work had all the ingredients for National success: stamina, class, and a proven ability over fences. His second-place finish in 2024 behind I Am Maximus was as brave as it was bittersweet, coming after a fine preparation and a career packed with Grade 1 achievements.
The Aintree test suited him perfectly – and his determined run-in gave fans hope until the very end. Though he never claimed the big prize, Delta Work’s consistency and heart earned him a lasting place in National Hunt folklore.
The Last Samuri – The Ultimate Aintree Specialist
Few horses showed such a clear affinity for Aintree as The Last Samuri. Trained by Kim Bailey, he came agonisingly close in 2016, finishing second to Rule The World after a mighty performance from the front. Conceding 6lb to the winner, he travelled smoothly and jumped with rare fluency throughout.
In 2017, he returned with renewed hope, only to be burdened with top weight – a challenge even the toughest stayer would struggle to overcome. Nevertheless, he ran a solid race to finish sixth, underlining his exceptional attitude and love for the National fences. That he never won the race perhaps says more about the nature of the contest than his own ability.
Suny Bay – Grey, Gallant, and Just Denied
Trained by Charlie Brooks, the powerful grey Suny Bay was a model of consistency in the late 1990s. His runner-up finishes in 1997 and 1998 were among the most admirable performances of that era – especially given the weight burdens he carried.
In 1998, he was tasked with conceding a mammoth 22lbs to eventual winner Earth Summit, yet battled on gamely to take second once more. Few horses of his calibre have endured the Grand National test as successfully and as often – his place among the greatest “nearly horses” is well-earned.
Clan Royal – Luckless, But Brilliant
If one horse can be said to embody the heartbreak of the Grand National, it’s surely Clan Royal. Trained by Jonjo O’Neill, he finished second in 2004, behind Amberleigh House, after a titanic battle in the final stages.
But it was the 2005 renewal that lives longest in the memory. Clan Royal was travelling strongly and looked the likely winner when an unruly loose horse veered across him at Becher’s Brook, forcing him dramatically off course.
A year later, he returned to finish third in a gritty performance that further underlined his National credentials. He jumped impeccably, travelled sweetly, and had the tactical sharpness to adapt to Aintree’s changing conditions – but fate always intervened at the crucial moment.
The Harsh Realities of Aintree Glory
What unites these horses – Delta Work, The Last Samuri, Suny Bay, and Clan Royal – is not just their bravery and ability, but the cruel hand the Grand National can deal.
The Aintree fences, from Becher’s Brook to The Chair, demand more than just stamina and scope. The race requires luck, timing, and a touch of magic – things even the most seasoned campaigners can’t always summon.
The Grand National’s appeal lies in that very unpredictability. It’s the race where fairy tales are written – but also where heartbreak often lingers just beyond the winning post.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we turn the page towards the 2025 Grand National, fresh names emerge in the betting markets. I Am Maximus aims to join the rare club of back-to-back winners. Royale Pagaille and Envoi Allen – horses with proven class but questions over stamina – bring their own narratives.
And, undoubtedly, a new set of near-miss stories will be born. The horses who jump every fence beautifully, respond to every call, and still find themselves outpaced or out of luck in the final strides.
Forgotten Heroes
For every horse who etches their name onto the Grand National roll of honour, many others leave Aintree as the forgotten heroes – loved by their connections, applauded by racing fans, but absent from the record books.
The Grand National remains the sport’s most democratic test – one where favourites fall, longshots rise, and legends are forged not just in victory, but in the valiant pursuit of it.
So when the tapes go up on April 5th, spare a thought for the Delta Works and Clan Royals of racing – and toast the greatness of those who almost were.
