Shutthefrontdoor may have failed to unlock a fairy-tale success in the Crabbie's Grand National and force Tony McCoy to retire on the spot, but the combination had a good try.

It did look for a long way that the greatest jump jockey would bring the curtain down on his record-breaking career with a second triumph in the Aintree spectacular. However, Shutthefrontdoor's run petered out and McCoy carried the colours of his boss JP McManus into fifth place as Many Clouds took the glory.

It was a record 20th ride in the world's greatest steeplechase for McCoy, who will be crowned champion jump jockey for the 20th successive season at Sandown in a fortnight, when his farewell comes to an end. McCoy admitted he will miss riding in such a great race.

He said: "I was very happy all the way, but just between the fourth and the third-last I was following Many Clouds and I knew he was a dour stayer. I was behind him in the Hennessy and thought I might get past him, but he stuck at it well there. I thought from the third-last I was struggling.

"I got a great ride off him and Jonjo had him in great shape. He jumped fantastic and I wouldn't mind riding him next year!

"I'm going to miss riding horses like that and in races like that. I got a great buzz out of it and I thought for a long way he could win. It's my last National, but it was a very enjoyable one."

O'Neill felt his charge may not have quite lasted home.

He said: "He ran a blinder. He did everything right, he was following the right horses but unfort- unately he wasn't good enough on the day."

The runner-up spot is often a lonely place but not for the connections of Saint Are, whose trainer Tom George was proud.

He said: "I'm delighted with him. He looks as fresh as paint after it. Stamina is not a problem and he's run a great race.

"He got close to a couple of fences but everything went right. He has been beaten by a better horse on the day. You can't fault him. I thought for a second he might get there. It was all very exciting."

It was a similar story for Michael Scudamore, trainer of Monbeg Dude, who improved on his seventh last year to take third place.

"To run a race like that is absolutely amazing. I'm so proud of the horse," he said.

Alvarado repeated his 2014 effort when taking fourth position.His trainer Fergal O'Brien said: "It was another consistent run and it's really lucky for the Ruckers and for Paul Moloney - that's seven years in a row they've been in the first four.

"We're delighted with him - he's given his heart and soul again. There's no hard luck stories in the National, we're really pleased but he just baulked a little at the Canal Turn and Paul said he had to get him back into his rhythm, but he's run home really strongly."

Oscar Time, second in 2011 and fourth in 2013, got round again as he filled 15th place at the grand old age of 14.

His rider Sam Waley-Cohen said: "I'm thrilled with the horse. I thought he ran absolutely brilliantly. Age caught up with him in the end.

"He ran with credit again. He loved it, but there's no running away from time."