AT 100-1 Mon Mome joined the legendary Foinavon as the joint-biggest price winner in the 162-year history of the Grand National.

It was also a first National success for trainer Venetia Williams, who fell on her sole attempt when riding in the race as an amateur.

She became only the second female trainer to win the Grand National, the other being Jenny Pitman.

Middleham trainer Paul Murphy was delighted with his runner. Cerium ran a mighty race to finish fifth at 100-1 and a return to Aintree is very much on the cards for the eight year-old.

Murphy said: “He took to it like a duck to water, he seems fine and will be trained all next season with this race in mind.”

Earlier in the day Murphy’s father Ferdy was on the score sheet with Kalahari King in the Maghull Novices Chase under Graham Lee.

Lee, who won the 2004 Grand National on Amberleigh House, injured an ankle and shoulder in a fall at Wetherby on Tuesday and passed the doctor’s test hours before the race.

A good day for North- East trainers was rounded off in great style when Sitting Tenant won the Grade Two bumper for Middleham trainer Kate Walton at 66-1.

Sitting Tenant, who looks to have a bright future when going over hurdles next season, was given an enterprising ride by Walton’s son-in- law Richie McGrath, who said afterwards: “I’m delighted for Kate and the owners of the horse, who are very enthusiastic.

I think he could be a very smart horse to follow as he is still strengthening all the time.”

Howard Johnson and Denis O’Regan were also on the scoresheet on Friday at Aintree with Killyglen, followed up just 24 hours later with an impressive four-timer at Hexham with Fortysecondstreet, Bleu Pois and Percussionist, who had also been a pretty useful sort on the Flat, and Malakai scoring.

The trainer and jockey combination team up today at Kelso, and could be worth following in the last race with Doeslessthanme.

A useful performer in bumpers last year, the fiveyear- old has also been successful twice over hurdles this season, and he should be able to give the weight away to inferior rivals today.

Tomorrow sees Pontefract staging its first meeting of the season.

An eight-race card gets underway at 2.10 with a three-year-old maiden stakes.

The card sees many Northern-based horses getting their 2009 season underway, and I’m sure there will be a few winners among them.