Disney puts in a clear round

UP AND OVER: Guy Disney, far left, in action GUY DISNEY made history by becoming the first amputee to ride over the Grand National fences.

He could not contain his delight after partnering Gallery Exhibition to finish 12th of the 21 runners in the Randox Health Foxhunters’ Chase, which took place over a circuit of the famous National course.

“Magic, smashing,” said Disney. “It’s a hell of a thrill to jump those fences and it lived up to all expectations – even more so.”

The race went to Derek O’Connor, the most successful rider in Irish point-topointing history, on Balnaslow.

“He’s a fabulous horse and a brilliant jumper,” said O’Connor. “He tries his heart out, and I couldn’t have asked for the race to go any better.

“Personally, it’s a massive thrill. Riding winners round the country is lovely, but there is something about the challenge, the trials and the tribulations of the Aintree fences. “The sad part of it is that Mrs Hagan [who owned Balnaslow] died last year; what a wonderful woman she was. Whatever I did on his back, we definitely had help from elsewhere. This is tough for her family, who only buried their mother a few months ago. I had a great run around the inside and he jumped brilliantly through the race. “I got a perfectly clear run over the last four fences and came home very strong.”