PERFECT TIMING BY O’NEILLS
TIME TO GET UP lived up to his name as he challenged late to grab victory in the Marston’s 61 Deep Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
The 3-1 favourite was still more than a length behind Mighty Thunder at the 24th and final fence in the marathon contest.
But jockey Jonjo O’neill junior, riding for his father’s yard and owner JP Mcmanus, had timed his challenge to perfection as the eight-year-old did get up on the run-in for a length success.
Behind Mighty Thunder, who had taken over at the first in the straight from long-time leader The Two Amigos, was Final Nudge in third and sole Irish challenger Screaming Colours fourth – beaten a further two and a half lengths and length and a half respectively.
The winning rider said: “He’s a huge horse. He was obviously in the Kim Muir but we just thought a big, flat, galloping track would suit him. He’s a pleasure to ride.
“We’re delighted.this wasn’t necessarily the plan but he won last time and we just thought, as he’d gone up a bit in the weights, it looked a nice target for him.
“He’s a gorgeous horse and he had some nice hurdle form back in the day, so he was entitled to take his chance.”
The winning trainer admitted he was not certain his runner would see out the four-miletwo-furlong distance.
He said: “We weren’t sure whether he’d stay but you don’t know until you try it.the ground was grand, everything was grand – it all came together.
“I’d say, for the trip, the ground was probably better drying out a bit.you don’t want it bog-deep when you’re going a long way and trying to get four miles but everything went according to plan. He gave him a grand spin and it all went to plan.”
O’neill trains the favourite for this year’s Randox Grand National in Cloth Cap and Aintree could be a target for this horse next year.
He added: “I would think about the National, maybe next year. He’s a good old jumper and now we know he gets the trip.
“Whether he’ll have the pace for the National I don’t know as is a fairly pacey race.we will see how we go.”