A dream weekend for Sam Thomas hit new heights as Mr Pointment made virtually all to score over the famous Grand National fences in the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree yesterday.
Just 24 hours after landing the Betfair Chase aboard Kauto Star, Paul Nicholls' number two jockey was back in the winner's enclosure following another big-race success.
Mr Pointment, a 15 to 2 chance, was having just his second outing for the champion trainer and took to the daunting obstacles like a natural, with Bewleys Berry his only serious rival in the closing stages. However, the latter had to occupy the runner-up spot for the second consecutive year after chasing home Nicholls' Eurotrek 12 months ago.
Mr Pointment hung on by a length despite Bewleys Berry's challenge on the run-in, with Pak Jack and Le Duc also making the frame as just seven of the 19 starters crossed the finishing line.
Nicholls said: "I said to Sam that the horse can tank along and he jumps left so he might as well be up there. There is only one race to go for now and roll on the Grand National.
"He needs to be fresh so he may just have one more run before the race. He is the least exposed of any horse I have ever had for the National. It has been a fantastic weekend - and we did the same double last year."
Ladbrokes, totesport and Blue Square make Mr Pointment, Bewleys Berry and Butler's Cabin their 16 to 1 joint-favourites for the John Smith's Grand National, although 20 to 1 is available with William Hill and Stan James about the winner.
Thomas added: "The weekend has been a dream come true and this is the icing on the cake. It has been an amazing couple of days and I really don't know what to say." Of the winner, he continued: "I didn't know if he would handle the fences but I soon put that doubt to the back of my mind when he pinged the first.
"He was awesome and is different class - you couldn't ask for a better ride over those fences.
"He kept a bit in the tank and when Bewleys Berry came to me he quickened up."
The other race over the National fences - the totepool Grand Sefton Chase - left former Scotland and Rangers forward Billy Dodds hailing the win of Lampion Du Bost as "the best day of my life".
Dodds' 66 to 1 outsider was having his first outing for trainer Jim Goldie, and improved on his sixth-place in the race last year to gallop clear and collect by eight lengths. Goldie, celebrating his biggest jumps win from his select team of 10 National Hunt horses, said: "This race has always been the target.
"It is his first win in this country - and that is some way to do it." Dodds added: "I have played in World Cup matches, in European qualifiers and for Rangers, but this is the best day of the life."
Of those who failed to make it round, Noel Fehily (Alphabetical) was taken to hospital for X-rays on an injured foot, while JP Byrne (Craven) suffered a suspected broken collar-bone.
Meanwhile, Michael Hourigan was delighted with Beef Or Salmon's third to Kaunto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Stureday. The gelding stuck on well to claim third - 18 lengths behind the principals.
Hourigan said: "He hadn't run since April and Denis (O'Regan) said he needed the run.
"That will set him up nicely for the Lexus at Christmas (Leopardstown), which is where he will go now, and I am really pleased - he is a wonderful horse."
