Fantastic Mr Fox on the hunt for dream National double
NOT many jockeys achieve the dream of winning the Grand National and fewer still manage to achieve the double of following a win in the most famous steeplechase in the world with success in the Scottish National at Ayr.
Brian Fletcher managed it in 1974 on the great Red Rum and 30 years later Graham Lee emulated him with success on Amberleigh House at Aintree and Grey Abbey at Ayr
This afternoon, Derek Fox has a chance to add his name alongside that duo.
The 24-year-old from County Sligo admits his feet have hardly touched the ground since he won the Grand National 14 days ago on One For Arthur for Perthshire trainer Lucinda Russell and the gelding’s owners, the Two Golf Widows — Belinda McClung and Debs Thomson.
It was only Scotland’s second winner of the race, joining Rubstic, who was successful in 1979. The home-trained drought of winners in the £215,000 Scottish National extends almost as far back to Ken Oliver-trained Cockle Strand in 1982.
Fox teams up with Scotland’s only runner, 20/1 shot Seldom Inn trained in Berwickshire by Sandy Thomson. The jockey, who won yesterday’s coral.co.uk Mares’ Handicap Hurdle on 50-1 shot Jennys Melody at Ayr, said: ‘It’s been very hectic. All the parties have been great but I hope I can get back into the swing of things now.
‘I think Seldom Inn has a real good chance. He is a very nice horse who has won a couple of races this season and I am looking forward to riding him.’
Fox’s one previous ride in the Scottish National was on Thomson-trained Harry The Viking, who finished eighth to Wayward Prince two years ago.
Fox added: ‘Harry had finished second in the Grand National trial at Haydock, so looked to have a good chance and I think Seldom Inn does as well.’
Last year, Thomson went close to ending Scotland’s drought when See you atmidnight, ridden by Fox’s cousin Steven, was headed at the final fence before finishing third to Vicente.
Success in Kelso’s Premier Chase last month plus second at the track to Yala Enki, go down as careerbest performances for Seldom Inn and Thomson feels the longer trip and drying ground will suit a contender still on an upward curve of form. Thomson said: ‘With his breeding, I have always felt he would stay four miles. He has been a late developer and his last two runs have been his best. ‘Last year did not work out for him and he had a lot of problems with ulcers but that is now in the past. I think that is why he is a better horse. ‘If you’d asked me a month ago, I would have said he had no chance but I think he has got a great one now. ‘Derek has ridden a lot for us. He won the Borders National at Kelso twice on Neptune Equester.’ Race sponsors Coral took a big hit north of the Border when One For Arthur won at Aintree. It wiped out their profits made in the south, according to spokesman Simon Clare.
They are equally fearful patriotic betting on Seldom Inn could hurt them in the fourthbiggest betting race in the racing calendar behind the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Epsom Derby.
Clare said: ‘There is an element of southern bias but most people don’t realise how big the Scottish National is.’
Former winners Vicente and Al Co line up again in a bid to claim the prize once again.
With a week of the season left, for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, even a 1-2 from Vicente and Arpege D’Alene does not look like being enough to claw back enough of the £300,000 he trails title leader Nicky Henderson, who himself has potent challengers in Premier Bond and Sugar Baron.