Race favourite Lord Spencer left it late but managed to rally and out-finish gallant pacemaker Brucie to take out the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton.

The JJ Rayner-prepared son of Zed had taken out the key lead-up event, the Koral Steeplechase (4250m), seven days earlier and was attempting to provide rider Lemmy Douglas with a special reward after he took out the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) earlier on the card aboard Little Thief.

Lord Spencer looked the part early in the contest as he cleared the big Riccarton fences with consummate ease while travelling with his head on his chest in second place as this year’s Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) winner Brucie set a handy pace in front.

Despite mixing his jumping, Brucie still held an advantage as he applied the pressure with two fences to clear, immediately putting his rivals under immense pressure to catch him.

Lord Spencer was trying his heart out as the pair cleared the last obstacle and found another measure of stamina as he closed on Brucie before thrusting his head in front within the shadows of the winning post to settle a stirring battle in his favour.

Rayner was fighting back tears as she described how much the win meant to her family, including her father, Evan, who prepared dashing hurdler Mister Divinsky to win the 1990 Grand National Hurdles (4200m).

“I can’t believe it as I thought Brucie had us, but he (Lord Spencer) just kept grinding and grinding,” Rayner said.

“I can imagine Dad at home, he will have tears as it means so much to us.

“He (Lord Spencer) has just stepped up over these big fences and whatever he does this year is a bonus as he is still learning.

“My team at home, only a little team, will be so proud.

“Lemmy probably won’t be able to fit his hat, he is great and is riding so well, is a great guy and deserves this.”

An ecstatic Douglas, who became just the second rider to take out the Grand National double on the same day after Tom Hazlett achieved the feat in 2006, was buzzing as he described how the race panned out.

“It’s such a thrill to be associated with such a great horse and a great family,” he said.

“The Rayner family have been doing this for generations, so to be a part of this success is amazing.

“I knew Brucie was going to try and get the edge on us, so I wanted to get behind him, but not like that.

“He (Lord Spencer) absolutely pulled my arms out the whole way and horses just don’t win going over 5000m like that, so it shows how tough he is.

“The whole way I knew he needed a breather and I was grateful to be able to do that before the home turn and I was able to get back up over the last.

“This is career defining and I’ve been battling away for so long, so I’ve been rewarded for sticking it out.”

Lord Spencer is a former Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) winner and while he was a topliner over hurdles, he looks to have found his niche over the steeples, with four wins and a runner-up finish from five starts, including victory in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) last month.

In 56 career starts he has now recorded nine wins and just over $425,000 in stakes for owner-breeder Dennis Dravitzki.