Racing: National fourth ‘‘stiff and sore’’

Kingsmark was described as ‘‘stiff and sore’’ after his gallant fourth in the Martell Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

The Ruby Walsh-ridden grey travelled strongly until weakening after the third last fence to finish 37¾ lengths behind the winner, Bindaree.

And after the race the jockey said: ‘‘I thought I would win jumping the third last when I was cantering but he changed his legs and his action wasn’t great from there on.’’

Kingsmark’s trainer Martin Todhunter said: ‘‘He got an over-reach.

‘‘Ruby thought he was going to win until he lost his action coming across the Melling Road coming home and he has pulled up stiff and sore but hopefully he’s going to be fine.

‘‘To his credit he stayed on to be fourth. He must be a brave horse.

‘‘He ran a blinder on the ground and the weight.’’

Kingsmark will now be rested before another possible tilt at next year’s Aintree marathon.

‘‘He’s finished for the season now,’’ added the Cumbrian-based trainer. ‘‘I would think the National would be the main objective again but we’ll see how we get on.

‘‘He did us proud and hopefully we’ll get him back for next year.’’