REPORT FROM LIVERPOOL: IT'S NOT just the National fences that take jumping around Aintree as Dessie Hughes ruefully pointed out after Schindlers Hunt failed by just a head to beat Voy Por Ustedes in yesterday's Grade One feature.
On a day when John Kiely saddled a one-two in the mares bumper, headed by the Ruby Walsh-ridden Candy Girl, to get Ireland off the mark for the meeting, jumping mostly remained the name of the game at Liverpool.
Voy Por Ustedes was recording back-to-back victories in the John Smith’s Melling Chase but the home star was put to the pin of his collar to hold Schindlers Hunt whose jumping mistakes around the Mildmay track ultimately cost him.
Schindlers Hunt hadn’t been foot-perfect in the early stages but still swept up the straight to challenge both Nacarat and Voy Por Ustedes only to make a bad error at the second last. He wasn’t fluent at the last either which made the narrow margin all the more frustrating at the line.
“They are big fences and the leaders were going very quickly so he did well. He actually did well to come back from a bad mistake at the second last when he landed on top of it and that made him take a look at the last,” said Hughes who plans to leave Schindlers Hunt off for the summer now.
In contrast Voy Por Ustedes was continuing Alan King and ‘Choc’ Thornton’s good week, a welcome contrast to a frustrating Cheltenham.
“Having said that, they all ran well at Cheltenham. People were asking if I was devastated there but I’ve had far worse weeks,” King grinned.
“I went through every emotion watching this race. It took me back to the Viking Flagship days. He just will not shirk the issue. Next season we have options, including going for the King George again.”
Candy Creek beat her stable companion Liss Na Tintri, with Morning Supreme third, to complete an Irish clean-sweep in the last and provide Co Waterford trainer John Kiely with a perfect first impression of Aintree.
“It’s my first time here even though my brother Paddy finished third in the 1972 Grand National,” he said.
“We freshened Candy Creek up waiting for better ground and I thought on the going she might be better than the other mare who really needs two and a half miles.”
Dessie Hughes had earlier finished third in the Grade Two novice chase with Siegemaster who couldn’t cope with the Denis O’Regan-ridden Killyglen who is now as low as 25 to 1 for the 2010 Gold Cup.
“At Cheltenham they took him off his legs but today he was able to dictate and he enjoyed it,” said trainer Howard Johnson.
“I’ve struggled this season, had a few winners in the north, drew a blank at Cheltenham but it’s good to get one here.”
Charlie Swan also had to settle for runner-up spot in a big race as Oodachee couldn’t peg back Irish Raptor who was improving one place on 2008 in the Topham over the National fences.
Swan, who runs the fancied outsider Offshore Account in today’s big race, said: “Oodachee has been a bit unlucky as he has been placed many times, including in the Galway Plate. He will go to Punchestown, then get a break before going back to the Plate. Offshore Account is in great form and should love the ground.”
Irish Raptor’s trainer Nigel Twiston Davies is looking ahead to the 2010 National for the winner and said: “He stays, jumps and is the absolute perfect National horse. He was too low in the handicap to run in the National this year but next year he shouldn’t be.”
Candy Creek apart, Ruby Walsh had a mostly frustrating day, getting beaten by the 50 to 1 shot Time For Rupert in the three mile handicap hurdle and getting mugged on the line on American Trilogy in the Grade Two novices hurdle by El Dancer. The champion jockey also got a one-day whip ban for this ride.
