WORCESTERSHIRE's only entry in the Grand National failed to complete the course, falling at the 25th fence.

Simon, who was tipped as a 14-1 shot to win, was one of 27 horses which failed to finish Saturday's 4.5 mile long race.

The eight-year-old horse, trained at Kinnersley stables and owned by Mercy Rimell from Upton-upon-Severn, won the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February, making him one of the more fancied horses going into the Grand National.

None of the other favourites featured in the top placings, with Point Barrow, priced at 8-1, falling at the first fence at Aintree.

Winning horse Silver Birch, tipped as 33-1 beforehand, held on down the finishing straight to become the sixth Irish-trained winner of the Grand National in the last nine years.

McKelvey was placed second, while Slim Pickings came in at third after leading for much of the race.

Jockey Andrew Thornton, who lives in Newbury, rode Simon after the success the duo had at Kempton.

After the race he said: "Oh what might have been! He was going well when he got too close and fell at Valentine's. I know it was a long way out, but he was going well and there's always next year."