Aintree John Smiths Grand National Day 2010

(Do Push It: McCoy drives out Don't Push It in the 2010 Grand National)

McCoy pushes Don't Push It to claim his first victory in the Grand National at the 15th attempt

Don't Push It was pushed home by an adamant AP McCoy yesterday in the John Smiths Grand National in a successful 15th attempt at the race for the champion jockey.

AP took the ride after preferring the horse to Can't Buy Time. Talking after the race an emotional McCoy said "It's great for my Mum and Dad who will be watching at home. The trainer put me on the right one, he swayed me very much. I asked him to toss a coin in the week between this and The Package and I think he tossed it until he got Don't Push It. I couldn't pick between them, but he was very adamant". McCoy was all smiles as he fulfilled his life-long ambition of riding a Grand National winner.

"It's brilliant, fantastic, I thought it would never happen to me, I'm delighted" said winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill in the winners enclosure. O'Neil had also failed in his quest to win the Grand National up until yesterday. "I didn't believe it was going to happen until he'd past the post, I always thought something was going to happen".

Celebrating alongside O'Neil celebrating a first win in the race was winning owner of Don't Push It JP McManus who said "Full marks to Jonjo and the team, he's been a difficult horse all season, he can get hot and excited before a race but it was a great effort by Jonjo and AP"

Don't Push It again looked a concern for supporters before the start. The horse was dripping in sweat but McCoy managed to keep him calm, relaxing on his back with feet out of the stirrups to calm the horse. Backed down after ferocious betting activity the early morning 20/1 chance eventually went off joint favourite with Big Fella Thanks, originally the mount of Ruby Walsh who unfortunately broke his arm in a previous race allowing Barry Geraghty to take over. The winner returned at a odds of 10/1 leaving punters ecstatic and bookies reeling.

For a while it looked like McCoy would not get enough out of Don't Push It to go on and claim the victory after Black Apalachi tidden by Denis O Regan led until the final fence. After Don't Push It jumped ahead McCoy took control with Big Fella Thanks looking like a real danger a length behind. Apalachi looked like he didn't want to be beaten until AP under a typical ride managed to find a little more in the tank driving the horse all the way to the finish to register a five length success.

Second was Black Apalachi at 14/1 who ran an excellent race after being an unlucky faller in last year's race. The heavily supported State of Play at 16/1 ridden by Paul Maloney took third place with the fourth placed horse the mount of Barry Geraghty and 10/1 joint favourite Big Fella Thanks.

(It's O-Kay: Peter Kay celebrates with Tony McCoy, Jonjo O'Neill and JP McManus)