The nickname "slippers" hardly conjures up an image of a street-tough jockey, brave enough to absorb the many knocks necessary to earn a living in jump racing.

Niall Madden was always destined to be saddled with the moniker thanks to his father, also called Niall but universally known as "boots" in his time as a jockey because his riding boots were always too big for him.

The 20-year-old Irishman well and truly stepped into his father's shoes on Saturday when partnering Numbersixvalverde to win the 159th Grand National at Aintree, his first ride in the world famous steeplechase.

A racing prodigy, who rode his first winner at 16 and who has clocked up over 100 career successes, Madden showed nerves of steel to guide the 11-1 chance to a six-length win, denying Hedgehunter a second successive National triumph.

"He has given me the perfect ride," said Madden. "It was just perfect, he was always going well and had a good position all the way. It's just magic. I could not imagine anything better."

Niall senior was suitably impressed, adding: "I'm very proud. I was hoping he'd get around at Aintree... I'm delighted for him."

Hedgehunter's Irish trainer Willie Mullins was philosophical after the 10-year-old, a gallant second in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup, found his heavyweight burden, a top weight of 11st 12lb, too much to defy.

No horse has won back-to-back Nationals since the great Red Rum in 1974.

"It was a great run. For a long time as they came up the straight, I thought he might do it," Mullins said.