The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Vicente boosts title hopes for Nicholls
Scottish Grand National win gives new life to battle for trainers’ crown
Vicente joined the list of dual Coral Scottish Grand National winners and breathed new life into Paul Nicholls’ hopes of defending his champion trainers’ crown after getting up in the final stride at Ayr.
A faller at the first in the Aintree National two weeks ago, he could be spotted travelling noticeably well on the final circuit as Sam Twiston-Davies nudged him into contention.
It was Twiston-Davies’ father, Nigel, who looked to have the race won with Cogry who went clear under Jamie Bargary despite only finishing second in the West Wales National six days ago.
But as the pair duelled for the line, Vicente (9-1 joint-favourite), who was bought by Trevor Hemmings before Aintree as a replacement for the ill-fated Many Clouds, prevailed by a neck.
Twiston-Davies Sr was also third with the veteran Benbens, while Alvarado was placed in the race again in fourth.
To complete Bargary’s misery he was ruled by the stewards to have used his whip above the permitted level and without giving his mount time to respond. He was suspended for four days, May 6, 8, 9 and 10.
Twiston-Davies and Nicholls were only narrowly touched off in the Scottish Champion Hurdle with Zubayr, and with Nicky Henderson’s lead in the championship now less than £200,000, that valuable prize could look crucial next week.
Nicholls said: “Of course we can still win it, but everything will need to go right and we’ve had a couple of results today, like Zubayr, which would have made a difference. Luck hasn’t been with Sam today.
“Nicky’s had a fantastic season with his Grade One horses, and so have we. “We won’t give up until the last day. “Sam is part of a big team, we’ve got a lot of good jockeys and he heads them, he’ll be with us a long time.”
The winning rider said: “Paul had him primed for the National, but sadly it didn’t go to plan so he said he’d bring him here and it’s worked out great. He’s a very brave horse, he’s tried very hard and saved my day.
“Paul is one of the best trainers in the country, it doesn’t matter what standard of horse we’ve got, he finds a way to win with them.”
Hemmings said: “I just need to win the Irish and the Welsh now.
“I bought him because we lost Many Clouds and I didn’t have a runner in the National.”
Hemmings, who has won three Grand Nationals at Aintree with Hedgehunter, Ballabriggs and Many Clouds, added: “Vicente only came because he fell in the big one at Aintree and he was already entered.
“Sam kept the ride because he’d won on him previously. We went with lady luck and the answer was conclusive.”
He added: “I’m sure we’ll head back to Aintree next year but obviously I’ll listen to my trainer, if I hadn’t we wouldn’t be here today.”