ITV's Ed Chamberlin hails 'heartwarming' Grand National win as 7.5m tune in

A peak audience figure of 7.5 million viewers watched Sam Waley-Cohen win the Grand National on his last ever ride, with two in five people watching television on Saturday engaging with ITV's coverage from Aintree.

That peak figure and Saturday's average of 4.1m viewers was down on each of the four previous Nationals, but the 39 per cent audience share was up from 32 per cent last year, when a peak of 8.8 million viewers watched Rachael Blackmore win on Minella Times in front of empty stands.

Saturday's numbers were said to be "in line with post-Covid viewing habits" according to the broadcaster, but the headline viewing figures were considerably down on the last pre-pandemic National in 2019, which attracted a peak audience of 9.6m and an average of 5.4m.

"I always want more, but that's slightly the pattern and the way in the world at the moment," said Ed Chamberlin, who led the ITV Racing team at Aintree across the three-day meeting.

"We got a bigger share [of the audience] than last year yet the actual number was significantly down."

Despite that drop, Chamberlin welcomed the fairytale result of Saturday's big race, with Waley-Cohen landing the Grand National on his final ride aboard 50-1 shot Noble Yeats.

"I think most importantly, at such a difficult time in this country and around the world, we had a really heartwarming story," said Chamberlin.

"I started the week by saying we all need a feelgood story, with the cost of living and what's going on in Ukraine, and I sensed there was a real feeling of warmth to what Sam did. That's the feeling I got from being there and from the messages I received."

A peak audience figure of 7.5 million viewers watched Saturday's Grand NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A bumper crowd turned out at Aintree as spectators were welcomed back to the Grand National for the first time since 2019 and that made for a special atmosphere, according to the ITV frontman.

Chamberlin added: "The secret to its success is its connection with the community. Everything from the Knotty Ash Choir singing the national anthem to Liverpool coming out to play, and they were there all week.

"They support that event and are so proud of that event, and that's what makes it so special."

More 2022 Grand National reaction:

Race report: Grand National fairytale as 50-1 Noble Yeats wins for retiring Sam Waley-Cohen

'This is just the stuff of dreams' – Emmet Mullins shock at Grand National win

'I've no regrets over selling Noble Yeats – it's my best day in racing'

'He wasn't popular at all' – Noble Yeats a big winner for the bookies

2022 Grand National result: where your horse finished and who won

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