It can be argued that the bookmakers took a chance with his starting price but, in 2009, Mon Mome became the latest in a select quintet of horses to win the Grand National at odds of 100/1. Granted that he had been sent off favourite for the Welsh National at Chepstow the previous December, his victory was not perhaps as unlikely, or dramatic, as those of Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947) and Foinavon (1967), but his 12-length defeat of defending champion Comply Or Die nevertheless caused a massive shock.
It also concluded some unfinished business at Aintree for his trainer, Venetia Williams, who was knocked unconscious when her one and only ride in the Grand National, 200/1 outsider Marcolo, fell at Becher’s Brook on the first circuit in 1988. Twenty-one years after that unfortunate mishap, Williams became just the second woman, after Jenny Pitman, to saddle a Grand National winner.
Ridden by the late Liam Treadwell, who was making his debut in the National, Mon Mome was held up towards the rear of the field for much of the first circuit, but made headway passing the stands. In the closing stages, he tackled Comply Or Die, from whom he was receiving 6lb, soon after the last fence and forged clear on the run-in. Comply Or Die, while unable to quicken with the winner, held on for second place, with My Will in third and State Of Play in fourth.
Having previously finished tenth behind Comply Or Die in 2008, Mon Mome would run in the Grand National twice more, falling at the fence after Valentine’ Brook on the second circuit behind Don’t Push It in 2010 and pulling up after Becher’s Brook on the second circuit behind Neptune Collonges in 2012. He was retired from racing the following April having never won again.