04.04.08 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

TINKLER'S DOUBLE

After nine rides at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting without a single win, jockey Andrew Tinkler completed a swift 545/1 double with victories in the final two races of the second day.
 
Both wins came for his retained stable, that of Nicky Henderson, Oedipe winning the totepool Handicap Chase and Carole’s Legacy scoring in the John Smith’s Mares Only Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
 
"When I won at Cheltenham on Greenhope [in 2006] it was fantastic, but to win two in a row here has to be the best," said the 22-year-old jockey.
 
Tinkler was fortunate to take the mount on Oedipe, Mick Fitzgerald having withdrawn from the ride after falling on Crozan in the John Smith’s Topham Chase.
 
Fitzgerald also withdrew from his mount in the last, Ravello Bay, but Tinkler did not, for one minute, consider switching rides.
"I don’t know if I could have, but I never thought about it. Mr Murphy [owner of Carole’s Legacy] booked me at 11am yesterday, and I think if you’ve been booked for a ride you should stay with it," said Tinkler.
 
Loyalty paid off for Tinkler. While his horse won the last, Ravello Bay, ridden by Paddy Brennan, finished just fourth.