Grand National 2012 – in pictures

The Grand National at Aintree has been a British sporting institution since 1839. A punter peruses the massive past winners board at Aintree. If he looks hard enough he'll see that the first Grand National was won by a horse called Lottery Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

This chap is sporting some mutton chops that wouldn't have looked out of place in 1839 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The rain hasn't dampened the spirits of this group of racing fans Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Punters seem unaware or maybe uninterested (or maybe they're all Liverpool fans) as Everton celebrate the first goal in the FA Cup semi-final on a big screen at Aintree Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A rather apt umbrella, given the occasion Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Clare Balding and Mick Fitzgerald broadcasting for the BBC for the last time as from 2013 the National will be broadcast on Channel 4 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The first race of the day is the 1m 5f Aintree Legends Charity Race … Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The punters display a range of emotions as the 12 runners thunder past the packed stands. The race was won by American Trilogy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The third race of the day is the 2m Maghull Novices' Chase, which was won by the 1/7 favourite Sprinter Sacre Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

In the 2:50 2m 4f Aintree Hurdle the 9-4 shot Oscar Whiskey sprints away from the final hurdle and goes on to win Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Rather a demure outfit for Aintree Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

Ahead of the main race AP McCoy takes the favourite Synchronised up to have a look at the first fence but the horse throws him as they canter along Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

McCoy winces as he holds his arm that was trodden on by Synchronised Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The packed stands watch the runners circle as they wait for Synchronised to be caught Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Once McCoy and Synchronised rejoin the rest of the field they line up to start. But they're not off as Hello Bud breaks the tape for a false start Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A new starting rope is stretched across the course Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

They'll have to get the tape out again as West End Rocker gets it curled round him after causing a second false start Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

At the third time of asking they're off. The 2012 Grand National is under way Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The biggest fence on the course, the Chair, is cleared by Neptune Collonges, left, and Cappa Bleu, right Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

But James Reveley is unseated from Always Right. The Gold Cup winner Synchronised was one of the fallers at Becher's Brook, but did not appear to suffer a serious injury. However, he broke down while running loose and was put down shortly afterwards Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The leaders of the field go over the last and sprint up the home straight. It's a three-horse race – Neptune Collonges, Seabass and Sunnyhillboy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy pull away from Seabass. It's now a two-horse race … Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

And what a race it is. They're neck and neck as they approach the line. It's a photo finish and the closest ever finish in the race's history Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The result of the photo finish is in and the 33-1 shot Neptune Collonges wins by a nose. Darryl Jacob dedicates the victory to his friend Kieran Kelly who died in a fall at Kilbeggan racecourse in 2003 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Neptune Collonges gets a well-deserved pat on the head by Jacob as they parade in front of the stands … Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Both horse and rider seem pleased with their day's work Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Trainer Paul Nicholls celebrates victory with Neptune Collonges by kissing his mother Margaret. It was the trainer's first victory in the race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

There was also a kiss for Katie Walsh, sister of Ruby, from her father and trainer of her horse Seabass, Ted Walsh. She finished third, which is the highest Grand National position ever by a female jockey. On the left is her mother Helen Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

To the victors the spoils – Nicholls savours his maiden National victory as Neptune Collonges's owner John Hales lifts the trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer