LODGE GRABS A GRAND WIN
But Aintree National in serious doubt
THE public made the most of what might be the only Grand National staged this year due to the coronavirus epidemic as a full house saw Truckers Lodge win the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
With the Randox Grand National scheduled to take place in three weeks at Aintree, there is uncertainty about the world’s greatest race happening this year as coronavirus has halted virtually every other sporting event in the country.
Betfair’s ‘will racing go ahead’ market for the Aintree meeting, ‘no’ was trading at 2-13 with nearly £75,000 matched yesterday.
The meeting is scheduled to start on Thursday, April 2, with the National, by far the biggest betting race in the country, hopefully taking place two days later.
The decision to continue racing in Britain is guided entirely by the government, according to the British Horseracing Authority.
Tomorrow’s meeting at Kelso takes place behind closed doors following the decision by the Scottish Government to limit any gathering of more than 500 people.
Truckers Lodge, partnered by Lorcan Williams, deserved his moment in the sun after chasing home Potters Corner in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in December.
It was the biggest victory recorded by Williams, 20 – and a first success in the race for his boss Paul Nicholls.
“It was an absolute thrill,” said Williams.
“I get on really well with the owners so I’m delighted to ride a big winner for them.
“He’s a really progressive type and was foot-perfect.”
Nicholls’ assistant Harry Derham added: “He’s a lovely, genuine horse and we were confident today that he’d run a huge race.
“I’m absolutely delighted, most of all for his owners Gordon and Sue Hall, because they absolutely love this horse. They’re great owners.”
Victory was particularly a lift for Sue Hall as her mother died last week.
Nicholls also had success at Kempton with McFabulous in the feature Paddy Power EBF Hurdle and Fidelio Vallis in the Paddy Power Novices’ Hurdle.
The gelding was completing a memorable week for his owner John Hales, who celebrated on Wednesday when Politologue won Cheltenham’s Queen Mother Champion Chase.
If the dominance of Irish trainers at the Cheltenham Festival was not enough, Gordon Elliott and crack amateur Jamie Codd enjoyed further success at Newcastle when Robin Deuz Pois won the handicap chase.