News

03.04.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

More news and quotes from the first day of the John Smith's Grand National, Thursday 2nd April

Race 4: John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase

Quotes

THOMAS PUTS TRUST IN FUND

Trust Fund, ridden by Thomas Greenall in the colours of his father, Aintree chairman Lord Daresbury, powered to victory in the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase.

Victory gilded the hugely-successful career of Dorset-based point-to-point trainer Richard Barber, who has saddled hundreds of winners, including four in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham, but whose CV lacked an Aintree success. Trust Fund put that right when holding last year's winner Christy Beamish and Irish raider Having A Cut by four lengths and three and three-quarters of a length.

Lord Daresbury, who won the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase in 1982 on Lone Soldier (25-1), has four sons who are all riding in races at present. Ollie won last year's Christie's Foxhunter Chase on Amicelli and became Britain's point-to-point champion, and, now Thomas has won the Aintree version, he will bid to emulate his brother in the point-to-point title - he currently lies third. Another brother, Jake, fell in today's race at the Canal Turn on Sonevafushi.

Thomas, who was second in this race on Sikander A Azam [in 2004], said of Trust Fund: "I was worried the trip would be too short because he won over a mile further at Chepstow last month, but when we came to the run-in I knew they would struggle to get past.

"He over-jumped at a couple of fences, including the first, and we were lucky at Becher's where he stood back and went a bit long. I wasn't worried about being so far back at that stage because we were only half travelling and I knew I could pick up the tempo."

A former amateur champion under Rules, the winning rider suffered a serious liver injury last year, but has come back and concentrated on riding in point-to-points.

Asked if he could emulate Ollie and win the national title, he said: "I would say that's harder than winning this race today."

Richard Barber said: "I had to beg Lord Daresbury to let me run the horse at Chepstow in a bid to win and ensure we didn't get balloted out of this race. I wasn't worried about the drop back in trip.

"I wouldn't want to run him again if the ground gets too lively because he had a bit of heat in a leg last year and we had to put him away.

"I said to Tom get a tow, be in the first seven or eight, get him jumping and then creep into it if he's good enough."

Lord Daresbury said: "Aintree is very special to me and it's wonderful to see Thomas

win today. He hasn't really had the best run of luck, and with Oliver having big success last year this really is a fairytale.

"It's quite extraordinary that all four of my sons are so keen and riding so well. I cannot believe it. I hope Oliver will get back soon after his fall at Cheltenham [broken ribs, punctured lung and bruised spleen] and he could win the amateur title under Rules, and Thomas is going well in the point-to-point title, so if we could pull that double off it would be the dream team.

"I haven't talked to Richard about plans for Trust Fund, but he jumped really well, so he might go to Punchestown [for the Champion Hunters' Chase] and then Stratford [for the Pertemps Cup]."

Fourth race
The John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase
Placed quotes

ANOTHER GREAT ROUND FROM LAST YEAR’S WINNER CHRISTY BEAMISH

Last year’s winner Christy Beamish put in another superb round under jockey Claire Allen to finish four lengths behind the winner Trust Fund in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase.

Trainer Sue Taylor said: "He’s a star. He likes it here and he hates Cheltenham. Every time we’ve taken him there he’s hated it but he’s 12 now and we’ve now learned not to take him there, so we’ll stick to Aintree. We’re delighted with him."

Christy Beamish was trained by Taylor’s partner Paul Jones when victorious last year but now runs under the vet’s name.

She said: "It’s just my name on the ticket this year but nothing’s changed, it’s still the same team."

Having A Cut, in only his fifth steeplechase, finished third. Trainer Edward O’Grady was more than satisfied with the seven-year-old’s performance. "That’s not bad for a first-season chaser. We’re very happy with that," he said.

Phil Cunningham, owner of 2007 2,000 Guineas winner Cockney Rebel is also successful with his string of jumpers and watched McEvoy post a good round to finish fourth.

Cunningham said: "It was amazing. I must admit there were concerns over his jumping but after he’d taken the Canal Turn we knew we had a contender. He probably got there a little bit early but what a great ride. He’s a dream of a horse, isn’t he?

" I was standing next to my wife and after about two or three fences I just put my head down and said ‘I can’t watch this’. My heart felt like it was beating outside of my body, it was the strangest feeling. At least on the flat there are no fences between you and the finish post!"

Fifth Race: John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase

Winner’s Quotes

OH CRICK MAKES IT TWO FOR KING

Oh Crick made it a 23/1 double on the day for trainer Alan King, with the six-year-old, who was marginally behind at the final fence, outstaying Lord Jay Jay to win the John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Chase by a length.

It was also a second successive big meeting win for the horse who had brought the trainer his only victory at the Cheltenham Festival, when he won the final race of the four days, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase. "There’s not many who do the double," said the delighted trainer.

King explained that it had taken some time to work out how to get the best out of his horse. "We tried to make him a two and a half miler, but he wasn’t getting the trip. Being the prat that I am it took me three or four races to work it out. He’s a proper two miler really," he said.

The horse had come alongside Lord Jay Jay between the last two fences, but King explained that it was important not to send him on too early. "He stops in front, so he doesn’t want to be there too soon," he said.

"He’s tough and he only just does enough and he keeps himself well handicapped because he never wins by far," he added.

Robert Thornton, who was not on board for the Cheltenham victory, rode a confident race. He said: "They didn’t go as quick as I thought they would and I was travelling very well down the back. My only trouble was the two loose horses, who were on the outside. I was a bit crowded by them. Once he got out it was fine. He jumped very well today.

King has not ruled out the horse ending its season at Punchestown. "It’s a possibility, we’ll see. He’s thriving at the minute," said the trainer.

The trainer also paid tribute to the owner, David Sewell. "He’s a delight to train for. He’s a very good winner, but more importantly, he’s a very good loser."

Fifth race

The John Smith’s Red Rum Handicap Steeplechase

Placed quotes

ANOTHER AINTREE SECOND FOR LORD JAY JAY

Jan Jonhson, owner of second-placed Lord Jay Jay, named the nine-year-old after her own initials and was delighted with the exploits of the gelding who battled gamely with winner Oh Crick in the closing stages.

"I’m really proud of him and absolutely over the moon," said Swansea resident Johnson. "We’ve been waiting for this ground as he really doesn’t like it soft. I’ve been begging Venetia (Williams) to enter him in this race."

Johnson, who keeps Lord Jay Jay at home with her when he’s not in training and has two other jumpers with Venetia Williams, added: "I’m thrilled with second - as long as he comes home safe that’s fine with me. I love him to bits - I’ve had him since he was a three-year-old. I’m just so pleased that he ran really well - we were second at Aintree’s May meeting last year, just beaten on the line by Sou’wester - and I think today’s race was really competitive."

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of third-placed Tramantano, added: "We were not far away and it was a very good effort given he didn’t have a clear run. He was nearly brought down on the back straight and they came across him at the last. We’ll stop and think now about whether he runs again this season."

Sixth race - The John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Steeplechase

Winner’s quotes

GEORGE CELEBRATES STYLISH FIRST AINTREE WINNER

Tartak gave Tom George a day to remember with an impressively easy victory in the John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase, the Gloucestershire trainer’s first at Aintree.

Formerly trained in France, the six-year-old, who was recording his fourth victory in the UK and who finished fifth in Cheltenham’s Arkle Chase, strolled to a seven-length win after travelling easily throughout.

Tom George said: "He has really been progressing. We took it very slowly when he came over and he was very edgy on his first run for me in June. We brought him along slowly and he has kept on improving.

"He is a very talented horse and when Paddy first rode him, before he ran at Newton Abbott, he said this is something very special. We were riding him wrong because he was very buzzy early on and we ended up making the running on him, which didn't suit him.

"At Cheltenham, he had a lot of bad luck in running and got very badly hampered at the top of the hill. He was a bit on edge that day but today he just grew into it. He ran at a nice even pace and jumped and travelled really well. He was a different horse today.

"We had a lot of bad luck in the Arkle but we were quite sweet on him before then so it wasn’t really a surprise to see him run so well today.

"I would have thought that he would stay three miles. He has the natural speed for two miles and it is always a good sign when they have the speed for two but probably get three.

"We will keep our options open as to whether he runs again this season. He has changed between Cheltenham and here but I wouldn't like to commit myself one way or the other."

"I have not had much luck at Aintree before this. It is good to have a winner here and I hope my luck continues."

The trainer added: "David Fox of Power Panels Electrical Systems has been a great supporter of the yard and it’s been a pleasure to train four or five really lovely horses that he’s sent me."

Race 6: John Smith's Manifesto Novices' Chase

Quotes

PURPLE DIGS DEEP

Glamorgan trainer Evan Williams, who runs State Of Play in the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday, collected some of the sponsor's money in this novices' chase, named after a dual Aintree hero.

The Williams-trained Deep Purple made the early running, but rallied after being headed by winner Tartak and third-placed Planet Of Sound before finishing second, beaten seven lengths.

At the ninth fence Deep Purple made a blunder that levered jockey Paul Moloney into the air, but he showed skill and balance to keep the partnership intact.

Williams said: "That was great horsemanship. The horse is prone to the odd error, but Paul did brilliantly. We've finished second and, while meaning no disrespect to the winner, that mistake may have cost us the race, but it was a great contest.

"The horse is tough and I don't know why people crab him. He had a little problem behind the saddle when pulled up at Kempton at Christmas, but apart from that he's been so consistent. He loves racing so we'll look at Ayr and Punchestown."

Asked about State Of Play, Williams said: "He looked great when I saw him this morning. You can't make any plans in a race like the National, but it was always our aim to have him very, very fresh, and we've been really pleased with his prep.

"He's been over some very small Aintree-style fences. We jumped McEvoy over them and he's run well to finish fourth in the [John Smith's] Fox Hunters' Chase, so that's all we could do.

"He's got a bit of weight [11st 2lb] but plenty of horses have won the National with more than 11st, and he won a Hennessy under 11st 4lb."

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Planet Of Sound, said: "He made mistakes at the third last and last which obviously didn't help, but at the same time he was beaten then so I'd have to be a bit disappointed, especially with the favourite [Chapoturgeon] going out at the first.

"I don't know if he'll run again this season - we'll just see how he is."

SEVENTH RACE WINNING QUOTES

SILVER CROSS HANDICAP HURDLE

SAD DAY ENDS ON SUNNY NOTE FOR JONJO

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill won the closing Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle on a day on which one of his stable stars, Exotic Dancer, died of a suspected heart attack after racing earlier in the day.

"That was a little bit of help and it just shows what racing is like - you are on the ground and come back a bit," said O’Neill.

Sunnyhillboy beat only two horses home when well-backed for the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on his last start and the trainer added: "We were fierce disappointed with him at Cheltenham and he was a lot more fancied that day than today - at least by me. The extra half mile today probably helped and everything just seemed to happen right and we might have ridden him wrong at Cheltenham.

"He won handily enough in the end and I’m not sure whether we’d go to Punchestown or not. It might depend on what the handicapper does."

Seventh Race: Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle

Placed Quotes

BEDLAM BOY BATTLES ON LATE

Bedlam Boy did his best work in the closing stages of the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle - when he finished ninth - at the Cheltenham Festival and it was the same story in the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle, the final race of the opening day of the John Smith’s Grand National Meeting, when he came through to finish third.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy explained that his late run was a question of how the race panned out. "The track is tight enough for him and he didn’t handle it that well. He’s a big horse and he’s probably better on a more galloping track. He got a little bit of traffic problems, but he did come through well," said the trainer.

The jockey Davy Russell, deputising for the injured Graham Lee, reported back to the trainer that he felt that the horse could well have been better suited by softer ground. The horse’s two wins to date have come on heavy and soft ground.

Murphy, though, was more than satisfied. It’s a good run out of him. He’ll have a bit of a break and go chasing next year," said the north Yorkshire handler.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of runner-up Prince Taime, said: "He’s run very well and stayed on to the line. He used to be very neurotic, but he’s settling down and growing up so we’re very pleased.

"He was third in the Imperial Cup and won at Haydock the other day. If we hadn’t run there we wouldn’t have gone up 6lb and might have won today, but that’s the way it goes. He had an easy time when it was so wet because he doesn’t go on soft ground, so we’ll keep him going. I’m sure there’s a decent handicap in him - possibly at Punchestown."

BRENNAN SUSPENDED FOR A DAY

The stewards have suspended jockey Paddy Brennan for one day [Thursday, 16th April 2009] following his winning ride on Tartak in the John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase. The stewards found the jockey guilty of improper riding under Instruction H9 headed ‘Use of the Whip’, adjudging that he had used his whip with excessive frequency when clearly winning.

SUNNY START TO MEETING AS AINTREE TEAM ANTICIPATES LARGE CROWD FOR LADIES’ DAY

Warm spring sunshine greeted racegoers on the first day of three-day John Smith’s Grand National Meeting as Aintree’s Chairman Lord Daresbury celebrated a ‘home win’ in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase with Trust Fund, ridden by his son Tom Greenall.

"It’s been a great day, although it’s terribly sad to lose a horse like Exotic Dancer," said Aintree’s Managing Director Julian Thick.

"We had a crowd of 25,218 - anything above 25,000 is a good start to the race meeting. Pre-sales on tickets for Ladies’ Day tomorrow are significantly higher than that and we’re expecting the crowd to be nearly double the size it was today. The crowd was down a bit on this day last year but that was largely hospitality sales."

RECORD TOTESPORT PLACEPOT FOR FIRST DAY OF MEETING

Totesport, betting partner for the John Smith’s Grand National, enjoyed a record Placepot pool for the Thursday of the meeting, which hit £397,450.

GOING UPDATE

The going remains unchanged after the first day of the John Smith’s Grand National

GOOD on the Mildmay and Hurdle Courses

and

GOOD, GOOD TO SOFT IN PLACES on the Grand National Course

Andrew Tulloch, Aintree’s Director of the Racing and Clerk of the Course, said: "We are likely to water the National, Mildmay and Hurdle courses before racing tomorrow. We will put down around three to four millimetres of water to replace the moisture we’ve lost today and maintain the ground as it is. We’re likely to water the whole National course."

Tomorrow’s forecast is for a dry day with sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud. Some rain is anticipated overnight after racing on Friday with most expected to fall between 3am and 8am on Saturday morning.

G4S LEADING RIDER AWARD

FIRST DAY STANDINGS

Jockey Win 2nd 3rd

Robert Thornton 2 - 1

Tony McCoy 1 1 -

Paddy Brennan 1 - 1

Ruby Walsh 1 - -

Mr Tom Greenall 1 - -

Tom Scudamore 1 - -

Richard Johnson - 2 1

Miss Claire Allen - 1 -

Seamus Durack - 1 -