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| John Smith's Grand National - 6th April 2013 |
Auroras Encore claimed the Aintree spectacular.
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The winning trainer said: “I don’t think you start preparing a horse to be a National horse but because he ran so well in the Auroras Encore, said: “The race kind of went by in a flash. I tried to jump off around about the jockeys that have been round before. I have got my bit of light, jumped off exactly where I wanted to be and he has taken to the fences. He has jumped from fence to fence and I couldn’t believe the run I got.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better ride and the old horse was loving it as well. I can’t believe, even at the Melling Road, that I was still there. I was happy to be placed at that point and then the front two stopped and I took off in front of them – it was unbelievable.
Adam Wedge, partner of Viking Blond, who was pulled up before the 14th, said: “He was fantastic. He jumped well but just got a bit detached and a bit tired.”
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Henry Brooke, partner of Across The Bay, who finished 14th, said: “It was brilliant – I loved every minute of it. The trip may have found him out maybe. He might have lasted longer if we’d have saved a bit more energy but I don’t know – he was great though.”
Aidan Coleman, on board The Rainbow Hunter, who unseated at the 8th, said: “I came down at the Canal Turn but I was getting a great spin off The Rainbow Hunter up until then. I had nowhere to go and there was a bit of bunching and I came off him.”
Katie Walsh, rider of Roberto Goldback, who was hampered and fell at the 30th, said: “I had a good ride on Roberto Goldback. He struggled a little bit in the ground but jumped well. I was going to complete until Jamie Moore’s horse (Mumbles Head) refused at the last in front of me and I ended up on the fence. The fences rode brilliantly. There weren’t as many fallers and I would say the fences are a little bit more forgiving. You’d make a bad mistake without turning over but the course was in great shape and it was a great race to ride in.”
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Robbie Power, on board Joncol, who was pulled up before the 19th, said: “He jumped ok but the ground was a bit quick for him. He couldn’t go the pace and I got a bit detached.”
Niall Madden, rider of Ninetieth Minute, who was pulled up before the 11th, said: “He was never really going to be honest. He made a couple of mistakes and he we had to call it a day.”
Ryan Mahon, on board Harry The Viking,who was pulled up before the 25th, said: “He gave me a nice enough spin.”
Sam Twiston-Davies on Imperial Commander, pulled up before the 22nd said: “It was a great ride but he just stopped very quick.”
Paul Townend, partner of Quel Esprit, who pulled up before the 24th, said: “I got a good spin off him.”
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Mark Walsh, jockey of Lost Glory, who pulled up before the 17th, said: “My lad was never going so I looked after him and pulled up.”
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Paul Carberry, on board Chicago Grey, who pulled up before the 30th, said: “He’s jumped very slow. He’s just a bit too careful at these big fences which meant I got detached quite early. He just took too much out of himself with his jumping.”
David Casey, jockey of Quiscover Fontaine, who finished 16th, said: “I got a great run out but got a bad bump at the Canal Turn the first time – he bottled it for a couple of fences which left me out of the race and I struggled from there on. Otherwise he gave me a great ride.”
Martin Ferris, partner of Becauseicouldntsee, who pulled up before the 21st, said: “I had a great ride round. He jumped well and travelled beautifully. I just got a bit left behind and he got tired. The ground was beautiful and the fences grand.”
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Peter Buchanan, jockey of Mr Moonshine, who pulled up before the 27th, said: “I have got a great ride off him and he has jumped fantastic – he just hasn’t got the trip.”
Tom Scudamore, rider of Major Malarkey, who finished 11th, said: “It was the thrill of a lifetime – I just couldn’t go the pace. I have never ridden a horse who has gone round Liverpool like that – he was superb. I just had to point him in the right direction.”
Denis O’Regan, on board Big Fella Thanks, who unseated at the 8th, said: “He jumped super – had a lovely position but just got milled over at the Canal Turn.”
Nick Scholfield, jockey of Teaforthree, who finished 3rd, said: “I am delighted – he gave me a magic ride. He jumped for fun, did nothing wrong and has run his heart out. The weight probably just told up the run in.”
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