BAA HUMBUG
Instead of painting town red after last Aintree success Coltherd headed to lambing shed
Walking down that chute leading in a winner was a dream come true
STUART COLTHERD celebrated his last Aintree success in his Selkirk lambing shed.
But this time he’s got the farm jobs covered on Saturday night. Just in case.
From a string of just 22 horses, Coltherd has a genuine Grand National contender in Captain Redbeard.
Flying the flag for Scotland alongside Sandy Thomson’s See you at midnight, the nineyear-old is a lively outsider for the people’s race.
Coltherd’s charge was a 100-1 shot a fortnight ago yet no one knows better than him that a price of that nature is no barrier to success.
Back in 2013 the Scottish trainer was the toast of the travelling punters at the Aintree extravaganza from north of the border as he landed the Fox Hunters’ Chase over the National fences with 100-1 shot Tartan Snow. Coltherd quietly fancied his horse. Yet not enough to have a post-race party planned.
Instead of painting Liverpool red following the win, it was back into the horse box for the drive to tend to the lambs on the farm that night.
Coltherd said: “Tartan Snow was a great day. Walking down that chute at Aintree leading in a winner was like a dream come true.
“I never thought he was a 100-1 shot for that race. The statistics also said that he couldn’t win it because he was 13 but these records are there to be broken.
“It was mind-blowing but we were busy lambing at the time, so it was straight back home to the lambing shed.
“Two or three people came over to the house. It took about three hours to get home. It was about 8pm or 9pm and we had some champagne.
“We have plenty people in place for this time around as this could be a one-off thing. We might never be back with a horse this good.”
Coltherd’s belief is well placed. Captain Redbeard has proved himself capable on the course having finished sixth, when also unfortunate and hampered during the contest, in the Grand Sefton Chase last December.
The impressive hammering of talented rivals in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock two days before Christmas and a second in the prestigious Peter Marsh Chase strengthened confidence.
Captain Redbeard won his prep-run over hurdles at Ayr and Coltherd said: “I’m excited.
“He keeps on improving. He’s potentially the best horse we’ve ever had.”
To add to his pride, son Sam, 19, will be the jockey on board for the big day.
Coltherd said: “Sam has ridden in most of his races so that’s brilliant as well. It will be nerve-racking watching.”
But also exciting after last year’s winning trainer Lucinda Russell tipped him for glory and any celebrations will be different to last time.
Coltherd said: “There’s a stag party for a pal going to be there. That could be messy for them.
“You need luck but you have to be in it to win.”
STUART COLTHERD