Ryan Mania had pushed Mr Moonshine into the lead and it appeared to be going as good as anything else in the strung-out Grand National field.

The favourites had tumbled and the half dozen or so horses nearest to him were being pushed along.

The 24-year-old rode into National folklore the previous year after becoming the first Scot for 117 years to win the world’s most famous steeple chase - at the first attempt.

And here was the 2012 Braw Lad in front yet again.

A fence further on and the well-backed 20/1 shot began to tire - being overtaken four out and later drifting backwards to eventually finish 11th behind winner Pineau De Re.

Agent Bruce Jeffrey watched from the Aintree stands with Ryan’s dad, Kevin.

Bruce told us: “Ryan gave the horse a great ride. For a minute or so it looked as though he could do it again - he had Mr Moonshine in exactly the same place as he had Auroras Encore the year before.

“We started to get a bit excited. There was always a fear that he wouldn’t get the trip and there’s nothing you can do when the tank suddenly empties.

“Ryan wasn’t too disappointed when he got off the horse. It could have been a lot worse - getting round for a second year in a row is excellent.” It had been a whirlwind few days for the Lindean-based jockey as television and radio bookings flooded in.

Much of Thursday, Friday and even Saturday morning was spent in studios all over the north of England.

Although he produced plenty winning performances live on air, his four mounts at the famous Aintree meeting couldn’t add to his tally at the meeting.

Another fairytale which almost played out yet again was the return of Tartan Snow to defend his Foxhunters’ crown.

Stuart Coltherd’s stable star landed the Thursday race, over the National fences, last year at odds of 100/1.

And, despite being the oldest in the race at 14, stayed on strongly yet again to claim second place behind Warne.

The Selkirk-based trainer revealed that we’ve not seen the last of Tartan Snow yet. Coltherd said: “He ran a quicker time this year to finish second than he did last year when he won. He’s loving his racing just now.

“We had decided a while ago that this would be his last season but the way he’s going there’s a few races still in him. I wouldn’t rule out Tartan Snow being back on the racecourse next season although I don’t think he’ll be going back to Aintree.

“To win the Foxhunters and then finish second is a great achievement.” Another local horse - and jockey - attempting the National fences for the first time during Thursday Foxhunters was Katie Scott’s Douglas Julian with Bonchester Bridge’s Tom Hamilton on board.

Although never vying for a place, Douglas Julian stayed on gamely to finish 11th behind Warne.

Hamilton’s agent, Bruce Jeffrey, added: “It was a great experience for Tom to get round the National fences. I thought both horse and jockey did well.”