HE might not have finished the Grand National but Mantles Prince returned to his Worcestershire stables as a king.

The nine-year-old gelding, trained at Worsley Racing Stables, Abberley, near Bewdley, could be making a return to Aintree next year after outshining the favourites.

The 100-1 long shot unseated jockey Ollie McPhail at the 25th fence, five short of the finish. But his race lasted longer than favourites Ad Hoc, Youlneverwalkalone, Iris Bleu and Shotgun Willy.

"We were very impressed," said trainer Alan Juckes, who only bought Mantles Prince this year.

"He was very unlucky that Ollie got unseated when they had five fences to go.

"He's very clever at his fences but they made just a little mistake. Ollie said he would have finished if he hadn't been unseated. He went one way and Mantles Prince went the other.

"But it was a wonderful race and he loved it.

"He has proved he will win us a few races. We'll put him in for next year's - he will have had a few more runs by then."

Golfers at Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club, which has a stake in the horse, abandoned their rounds midway in order to cheer on the horse in the clubhouse.

"It was very exciting," said the club's Graham Payne.

"As he's smaller than the others we just wanted him to do one circuit and anything after was a bonus. We're delighted with the way he ran.

"It's the longest he's ever ran and bodes well for the future.

"There was a gang of golfers in the bar cheering on the horse - a few had come in off the course to watch before going back out."

The race, which took in more than £1m in bets, was won by Irish horse Monty's Pass at 16-1.