Kelly dreams of another Gold Cup on Tea For Two
Pair make amends with win in the Betway Bowl Walsh cleared of injury after fall in Foxhunters
out and everything looked like it was wrong, but he’s had a long season. He’s a horse that keeps her awake at night.” When asked about the 2018 Gold Cup, Kelly replied: “And the 2019 and 2020.” Much like Buveur D’air, who won the Betway Aintree Hurdle, JP McManus’s other winner, Defi de Seuil, kept up his unbeaten record for the season, though the 4-11 shot was made to work for it by Henderson’s Divin Bere in the Doom Bar Anniversary Hurdle. Nevertheless, the owner is also entitled to look forward to next season and beyond with both horses. Jockey Barry Geraghty said: “He’s been brilliant all season but he was very good at Cheltenham. Obviously, he’s a horse with a future, but to come back and do what he’s done today and win again – I think that’s seven wins – he’s been busy. He’s very good and he can only improve with time, but it’s very hard for a juvenile to hold that level of form all season.”
Walsh was taken straight to Fazakerley Hospital, which is usually a bad sign, but a scan on her arm revealed no fracture and only bruising. “I’m as good as gold,” she reported from the hospital. “I’ll be riding.” She is the only female rider involved in this year’s race.
Her race was won by Dineur, who went one better than a year ago and got Mickey Bowen in on the family’s Aintree act. His father, Peter, has won the Topham four times while brother Sean has also ridden a winner over the course.
In other National news, Pendra was the only horse taken out at the 48-hour declaration stage after he was found to be lame, which means David Pipe’s Doctor Harper earns a run. Just A Par was bought at the Goffs Aintree Sale for £100,000 and will run in the colours of Richard Thompson.