The victory of Don’t Push in the 2010 Grand National was notable for the fact that it was a first for owner John P. McManus, trainer Jonjo O’Neill and, in particular, jockey Tony McCoy. McCoy, who retired in 2015 with a record 4,348 National Hunt winners in Britain and Ireland to his name, was achieving a lifelong ambition after 14 previous unsuccessful attempts. He said afterwards, “The National is the people’s race and to have won it at last is really special.”
The historic win was hardly unexpected, either, with Don’t Push It available at 22/1 in the morning, opening at 20/1 on the course, but being sent off 10/1 joint-favourite in the face of widespread support. Settled in midfield on the first circuit, the 10-year-old made headway early on the second and was one of four horses that went clear approaching the Melling Road for the final time. He loomed alongside the leader, Black Appalachi, approaching the final fence and, although idling briefly on the run-in, stayed on strongly to win by five lengths. State Of Play took a modest third close home, 20 lengths behind the front pair, but three lengths ahead of the fourth horse home, the other 10/1 favourite, Big Fella Thanks.
Bookmaker Paddy Power described the outcome as “probably the worst ever National result”. Aside from the euphoria of saddling his first Grand National winner, O’Neill was also required to explain the apparent improvement in the form of Don’t Push It to the Aintree stewards; the gelding had been pulled up in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival on his previous start, having reportedly “appeared to lose interest”.
In 2010/11, Don’t Push It was campaigned exclusively over hurdles, without success, before returning to Aintree for his second attempt in the Grand National. Ridden, once again, by McCoy, he was sent off 9/1 second-favourite, despite top weight of 11 stone 10lb, but could manage no better than a modest third, beaten 2½ lengths and 12 lengths by Ballabriggs and Oscar Time. He ran just once more, when unplaced over hurdles the following November and was retired the following January.