Grand National ace Neptune Collonges in hero's return

Cheers greeted Shropshire's first Grand National winner for 15 years as he returned in triumph to the county.

Cheers greeted Shropshire's first Grand National winner for 15 years as he returned in triumph to the county.

Neptune Collonges – or Nipper as he is affectionately known at his stables – was given a hero's welcome at the Cosford base of owner John Hales, chairman of Telford's Golden Bear Toys.

About 60 family and friends arrived for the private celebration to see the 33-1 winner, who won by a nose at Aintree – the shortest margin in the race's 176-year history – on Saturday.

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Mr Hales said he had received congratulations from all around the world, with members of the public also arriving at the gates yesterday to catch a glimpse of the horse, which will now retire to the county.

Cards and banners were also pinned to the champion's stable door.

Mr Hales presented jockey Daryl Jacob with a framed montage of the success at the celebration yesterday.

It was his second victory parade after the grey attracted a crowd of 400 at the Ditcheat stables of trainer Paul Nicholls in the West Country on Sunday. Mr Jacob said: "He's done great and really enjoyed it. He's all heart, pure guts and pure determination."

Neptune Collonges is certainly a favourite at the West Country stables where he trains. Stable girl Clare Smith, who is bassed at the stables in Ditcheat and has cared for the horse since he was four, said: "I will miss him but I am very proud. I cannot really put it into words how I feel."

Neptune Collonges is due to join a host of Nicholls' other stable stars for a parade at Sandown on April 28.

It was the first Shropshire victory in the marahon event since Lord Gyllene was first past the post in 1997.

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