24.11.08 - RACING AT AINTREE

ALL THE WAY BECHER SUCCESS FOR BLACK APALACHI

The second race of the afternoon over the Grand National fences saw another fine front-running performance. This time it was Black Apalachi who prevailed under Denis O’Regan and unlike the Grand Sefton winner Endless Power he galloped resolutely all the way to the line to secure success in the £120,000 Listed totesport.com Becher Chase.

The 15/2 chance came home a distance clear of last year’s winner Mr Pointment in the three-and-a-quarter mile event with his stablemate Oulart a further half-length back in third.

Richard Hughes, representing his trainer father Dessie, said: "That was great. The horse likes to be handy and he liked the ground out there today.

"The ground probably went against our other runner Oulart and just found him out. We brought both of them over and hoped that the ground would suit one of them.

"This race has been a good Grand National trial in the past and I would say he would be back here in the spring for the National. He does need the ground to be on the soft side though."

Successful jockey Denis O’Regan commented: "I would just like to say I am very grateful to Graham Wylie for letting me get off Ellerslie George to ride this horse. I would have struggled to do 10st but would have done if I had had to.

"I finished second in last year’s Becher Chase on Bewleys Berry when Mr Pointment dictated from the front. I think that if I had employed similar tactics last year, the result might have been different.

"After the Grand Sefton earlier today, I thought it was a good idea to get out in front and into a rhythm. This horse is a good jumper. He is not too exuberant but is very accurate and didn’t burn too much fuel early in the race. The further he goes the better.

"It’s hard to make ground up when it is riding soft, and to get out in front and into a rhythm is very important I think. He has given me a fantastic ride and done very well.

"Riding over these fences is just like a day’s hunting. It is very enjoyable and I think that it is important to get the horse enjoying it as well. Fair play for Dessie putting me up."

Owner Gerard Burke added: "It is a special day - a great performance. Black Apalachi ran in the last John Smith’s Grand National and came down at the second when he over jumped. Today’s performance was very encouraging and I think we will be back in April."

Becher Chase sponsors make Black Apalachi a 16/1 chance for John Smith’s Grand National glory next year, as do Paddy Power. Stan James offer 20/1 while Ladbrokes were least impressed and go 33/1.

This was the second Irish-trained success in the totesport.com Becher Chase following the success of Garvivonnian in 2005.

MR POINTMENT MISSES SECOND SUCCESS

A change of tactics for Mr Pointment were apparent from the off in the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase as the 2007 winner was dropped out in the early stages by jockey Sam Thomas. The partnership made significant progress as the race developed taking the shortest route at the Canal Turn before Mr Pointment’s stamina ran out and the horse almost pulled up inside the final furlong but then got going again when joined by other horses and ran on to regain second.

Thomas said: "He was giving a lot of weight away today and I’m happy with him."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls revealed that riding plans had been changed and remarked: "That’s the way to ride him, take your time on him. With decent ground he’d be alright.

"He just takes a bit of warming and we can ride him like that in the National.

"If he was dropped in the handicap, it would give him half a chance in the National.

"That ground doesn’t suit him, I knew he’d run out of petrol. It’s very deep out there now.

Commenting on the disappointment of Kauto Star at Haydock yesterday, Nicholls said: "That’s racing, we’re looking forward to next weekend now.

"You’ve got to keep the whole team looking forward.

"He (Kauto Star) is 100% sound today and he ate up.

"We’ll try and get him back to his very best for Boxing Day for the Stan James King George VI Chase."