The £100 Horse That Could Win the Grand National – A Remarkable Grand National Story
A Grand National Story That Refuses to Fade Away
There was a time when the Grand National thrived as much on romance as it did on results. Tales of unlikely contenders, modest beginnings and improbable triumphs were not just welcomed—they were expected. These days, as the race grows ever more refined and fiercely competitive, such stories are becoming harder to come by.
And yet, here we are.
Twig, a horse once purchased for the princely sum of £100, now lines up with a genuine chance of claiming the £500,000 prize in the most famous steeplechase on the planet. It sounds faintly ridiculous, like something dreamt up after one too many cups of tea and a long afternoon in a betting shop. But it’s entirely real.
Originally bought simply to give a 16-year-old boy his first experience riding in a point-to-point, Twig has defied expectations at every turn. Five years on, that same partnership—horse and rider—returns to Aintree not as tourists, but as contenders. In a race increasingly dominated by precision planning and elite pedigrees, this is a reminder that occasionally, just occasionally, racing still allows a little magic to slip through the cracks.
From Humble Beginnings to Aintree’s Grand Stage
Twig’s journey has been anything but conventional. Purchased as a point-to-pointer with no grand ambitions attached, he was hardly the sort to set pulses racing early on. In fact, there was little to suggest he would become anything noteworthy at all.
Yet, step by step, season by season, he has improved.
Now aged 11, Twig attempts to become the first horse of that age to win the Grand National since Pineau De Re in 2014. That alone would be a notable achievement, but it is far from the only reason he commands attention.
His recent form offers genuine encouragement. Alongside jockey Beau Morgan, Twig produced a standout performance to win the Becher Chase in December, narrowly getting the better of Mr Vango over the very same fences he will face again. That familiarity with Aintree’s unique test is no small advantage.
Carefully campaigned with this race as the clear objective, Twig arrives fresh, fit, and representing a yard in excellent form. Trainer Ben Pauling has enjoyed a standout season regardless of what unfolds here, but a victory on Saturday would elevate it into something truly memorable.
Beau Morgan – A Partnership Built on Something Deeper
If Twig’s story is compelling, Beau Morgan’s is every bit as engaging.
At just 21, Morgan is among the least experienced jockeys in the field. Yet what he lacks in mileage, he more than makes up for in familiarity with his mount. Few, if any, riders lining up for this year’s race can claim a closer bond with their horse.
His journey into racing was far from inevitable. Raised in a family with no prior ties to the sport—his parents run a scaffolding business near Bath—his path was shaped largely by his older brother, Luca.
Luca’s enthusiasm for riding began independently, taking lessons and quickly immersing himself in the world of horses. His progression saw him ride competitively and eventually transition into training. Along the way, his passion inevitably rubbed off on Beau.
Initially hesitant, Beau’s introduction to riding was not without its setbacks. A childhood fall could easily have ended things before they began. But fate, in its typically roundabout fashion, intervened. When his mother purchased a hunter—only to decide riding was not for her after an untimely fall—Beau found himself back in the saddle.
That horse proved pivotal. Riding daily after school, he rediscovered his enthusiasm. Soon, he was joining Luca, riding out and gradually becoming immersed in the rhythm and demands of racing life.
What began as curiosity quickly turned into something approaching obsession.
The Making of Twig
Twig entered the picture at a crucial moment. Approaching his 16th birthday, Beau needed a horse to begin his point-to-point career. Luca, having previously ridden Twig in a bumper for Ben Pauling, knew of the horse—but not as a future star.
At that stage, Twig had shown little promise. He appeared weak, underdeveloped, and far from a natural talent. His owner-breeders decided to move him on, and for £100, he found a new home.
There were, understandably, few expectations.
Sent to be trained locally, Twig spent the summer strengthening up. When the time came to test him against more established horses, the results were surprising. Galloping alongside a seasoned hunter chaser, Twig more than held his own.
Even then, scepticism remained. It’s easy to dismiss early promise as a fluke. But as it turned out, those initial signs were entirely genuine.
A Debut to Remember
Morgan’s first public ride on Twig came in a competitive maiden point-to-point at Maisemore. The goal was modest—simply to complete the course.
What followed was anything but.
Despite early interference, Twig displayed a natural aptitude for jumping, handling obstacles with an ease that bordered on the surreal. Travelling strongly throughout, he left his rider momentarily questioning whether the race was unfolding too easily.
That performance marked the beginning of a partnership that has steadily grown in both confidence and capability.
Even now, five years later, Morgan believes the horse continues to improve.
A Second Chance at the Grand National
Twig’s previous appearance in the Grand National offered both encouragement and frustration. Slow to find his rhythm, he spent much of the race playing catch-up. Yet once he did settle, his finishing effort was eye-catching.
From 18th crossing the Melling Road for the final time, he surged through the field to finish 10th—a performance that hinted at untapped potential.
Since then, issues affecting his movement have been identified and addressed. This season, his form reflects that improvement. With just three runs, including two victories, his preparation has been deliberate and smooth.
Everything points to a horse arriving in better condition than ever before.
A Genuine Each-Way Contender
Realism is essential when assessing any Grand National runner. Twig may not possess the profile of a typical Grade One winner, but that does not rule him out.
His strengths lie elsewhere.
He is an efficient jumper, wasting little energy at his fences. Over the extended distance of the National, that efficiency can prove invaluable. Combined with his proven stamina and familiarity with the course, he represents a credible each-way proposition.
It’s no surprise that those scanning the odds—perhaps while weighing up various bookmaker free bets or considering their next move in free betting—have taken notice.
For those tempted, it’s worth noting that leading bookmaker BOYLE Sports is currently offering new customers the chance to Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets, adding a little extra intrigue to the occasion. Offers like these often draw attention in the build-up to major races, and Twig’s story only adds to the appeal.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Morgan’s season has been something of a contradiction. With only three winners to his name, it might appear modest on paper. Yet one of those victories—the Becher Chase—stands as the most significant of his career.
That race encapsulated Twig’s character perfectly. Hitting the front perhaps earlier than ideal, he briefly looked as though he might have done too much. But when it mattered, he found more.
It was a moment that confirmed both horse and rider belong at this level.
Family, Nerves and the Big Occasion
Behind the scenes, the emotions are no less intense.
Morgan’s mother, who owns Twig, finds watching almost unbearable. Unable to face the tension, she avoids looking until the closing stages. His father, by contrast, embraces the experience.
As for Morgan himself, his perspective is refreshingly simple. The opportunity to compete in the Grand National aboard a horse he knows so well is, in itself, extraordinary.
Victory, however, would mean everything.
A Story Worth Watching
In a race increasingly shaped by data, planning and precision, Twig offers something different.
He is not the most obvious candidate. He was never meant to be.
But that, of course, is precisely the point.
Stories like this are why the Grand National continues to capture the imagination. Not every runner arrives with a glittering pedigree or a hefty price tag. Occasionally, one comes along with something far more compelling—a journey that feels almost too improbable to be real.
And sometimes, just sometimes, those are the ones that matter most.