The 1885 Grand National was won by a well-supported favourite, as Roquefort crossed the line in front, returning with an SP of 100/30.
He would win the contest by two lengths, and Aintree racecourse was no doubt full of happy punters, winning as the favourite.
The race was run on ground described as good, and a total of 19 runners took part in the event.
Roquefort was well fancied here after finishing third a year earlier on his Grand National debut, and he used his experience well in this race. He would go on to run a further four times in the race, the best of which was a 4th placed finish, while 12 months later, when defending his crown in 1886, he unfortunately fell.
Arthur Yates was the winning trainer, and this would be the first of two Grand National successes he would have in the contest. Further success would come in 1893 with Cloister, and to further improve his record, he also had two second-placed finishes.
The winning rider was Ted Wilson, who would be winning his only Grand National here. He would have a total of 16 rides in the race, this being the only time he crossed the finishing line in first place.
Results
| Result | Horse | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Prize Money | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roquefort | 100/30 | 6 | 11-00 | £1035 | E P Wilson | A Yates |
| 2 | Frigate | 7/1 | 7 | 11-10 | - | Harry Beasley Snr | M Maher |
| 3 | Black Prince | 33/1 | 13 | 10-5 | - | Tom Skelton | James Jewitt |
| 4 | Redpath | 20/1 | 8 | 10-3 | - | Arthur Coventry | Tom Cannon |
| 5 | Axminster | 25/1 | 8 | 10-7 | - | W Sayers | Unknown |
| 6 | Albert Cecil | 20/1 | 7 | 10-9 | - | John Childs | A Yates |
| 7 | Dog Fox (2) | 25/1 | 6 | 10-3 | - | Capt S F Lee-Barber | Capt J Lee-Barber |
| 8 | Red Hussar | 50/1 | 7 | 10-7 | - | Capt H Armitage | John Jones |
| 9 | Lioness | Unknown | 7 | 11-7 | - | George Lambton | A Sadler |
| 10 | Jolly Sir John | 50/1 | 8 | 10-12 | - | William Nightingall | Tom Cannon |
| 11 | Downpatrick | 20/1 | 11 | 10-00 | - | Capt William Morris | P Gavin |
Non Finishers
| Horse | Fence | Reason | Starting Price | Age | Handicap | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben More | 24 | Unseated Rider | 100/8 | 5 | 10-7 | William Moore | W Behan |
| Belmont | 21 | Pulled Up | 100/6 | 8 | 10-11 | W D Canavan | F Wynne |
| Kilworth | Pulled Up | 10/1 | 8 | 11-6 | Capt Roddy Owen | S Harding | |
| Lang Syne | 27 | Brought Down | Unknown | 7 | 10-8 | T Hale | J Lowe |
| Gamecock | 27 | Fell | 50/1 | 6 | 10-00 | William Stephens | James Gordon |
| Candahar | 21 | Pulled Up | 25/1 | 6 | 10-12 | William Hunt | R Sherwood |
| Zoedone | 23 | Fell | 5/1 | 8 | 11-11 | Charles Kinsky | S Harding |
| Harlequin | 4 | Fell | 50/1 | 10 | 10-00 | Billy Sensier | D Marsh |