But Balnaslow on top
GUY DISNEY, the former Army captain who lost his left leg below the knee when his vehicle was struck by a grenade in Helmand province in 2009, made history by becoming the first amputee to ride over the National fences.
Disney 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 Grand 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.
“Clearly, I would like to have been closer to the pace. The ground was hard work out there for him, but he’s run an absolute blinder.
“The sad thing is I might not get a chance to do it again.
“It was very special, but it was over so quick. It felt like it was over in a minute.”
Disney’s passion for race-riding is far from over and he hopes to return to Aintree next year.
“I will not forget approaching the first six fences with Derek O’Connor in front of me, Jamie Codd there and Nina Carberry. Just magic.” Before ® rushing off to change, after receiving endless congratulations and posing for selfies, Disney said: “I hope to ride a point-to-point winner at Hereford this weekend.”
Victory in the Foxhunters’ went to the Derek O’Connor-ridden Balnaslow with Bear’s Affair taking second place.
“Personally, it’s a massive thrill,” said O’Connor. “Riding winners round the country is lovely, but there’s something about the challenge, the trials and the tribulations of the Aintree fences. To achieve that is very fulfilling.
“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 or Graham (McKeever, the trainer) did on the ground, we definitely had help from elsewhere. This is tough for her family, who only buried their mother a few months ago.”
Charlie Longsdon, a former Nicky Henderson assistant trainer, enjoyed his moment in the limelight after Bentelimar came good in the Red Rum Handicap Chase.
“It all went right in the end,” said Longsdon. “Since he came over from Ireland, he’s been placed, placed and placed. We’ve been saying for ages he’s well-handicapped to win a big race.”