The Winner

Hedgehunter

Hedgehunter today defied 11st 1lb to gain revenge for his last fence fall in last years event. Hedgehunter The horse travelled well throughout the race and took up the running when the then Leader Clan Royal was carried out in the race. The horse that fell tired in last years race was going so well at the last when all around him were starting to send out warnings of their tiredness. He was a revelation today and rewarded the many punters who followed him in the race. The horse did little wrong today and only made one mistake in the race. He was brave at his fences without being too bold and he is a credit to his connections.

At 9 years old he will almost certainly be back to try and re-gain his crown and if he is not asked to carry too much weight next year will have every chance.

Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins come from a famous racing family. Willie_MullinsHis father Paddy Mullins was a trainer in both flat and national hunt racing. In National hunt he is best remembered for training Dawn Run.

Willie was a good jockey who rode in this race in 1983 when he partnered The Ladys Master who unfortunately for him ran out. A year later on Hazy Dawn he fell at the 6th. As a trainer he has had some good horses in his charge and some of them have been in the race with the likes of Mickos Dream and Alexander Banquet both of whom failed to get around as did this horse last year, however all that has been forgotten now as this likeable man has now won the worlds greatest steeplechase.

Ruby Walsh

Ruby_WalshQuite simply one of the best if not the best national hunt jockey riding today, Ruby has great hands and balance. He rides horses with what seems real ease and presents horses to with great effect. His ability to sit still and allow horses to come right is superb and his ability to help horses when absolutely neccessary puts him amongst the greatest horsemen. He comes from a racing family with his father Ted who is also a very talented man who was a fine amateur jockey before becoming a well repected trainer and tv expert. Ruby rode the horse his father trained, Papillon in the 2000 Grand National and won that year. He has also ridden with great effect in the years in between with 2 4th places and only once not making it around. Ruby is top class and is always in demand by the top trainers. He is currently top jockey for Willie Mullins in Ireland and also Paul Nicholls in the UK

Second Place

Royal Auclair

Royal Auclair put up a brilliant performance today carrying the burden of 11st 10lbs He was given a great ride by Christian Williams who did everything he could to get the horse in a winning position. He was unlucky to come up against a very good winner this year. Royal Auclair was prised as his trainers best prospect for the Grand National earlier in the year. This great run today will ensure he will not go down in the weights next year however the horse today did not get the ground he likes, had the ground been firmer then who knows how much closer he would have been and if it turns out to be firmer next year you could not leave him out of your calculations.

Christian Williams

A young Welsh rider from the seaside town of Ogmore-by-Sea. Christian gave this horse a great ride today and got the horse in the right position at the end of the race, but they just found one too good today. That was lovely - he jumped brilliantly said the young rider after the race. I hope we will be seeing a lt more of Christian in the future and almost certainly back here next year.

Paul Nicholls

Paul Nicholls is quite simply one of the best national Hunt trainers we have in this country. He has been fighting out the trainers championship with the mighty M.C.Pipe for a few years now. Paul was an accomplished Jockey before turning his hand successfully to training. He won the Welsh National as a jockey in 1987 on Playschool. His achievements as a trainer are too numerous to mention.

Third Place

Simply Gifted

Simply Gifted ran a fine race today to finish third for a horse who had never run beyond three miles before. He jumped and travelled well in the race and although he did look like catching the winner from two out he did stay on well. He has suffered in the past with his breathing and has also had leg problems so this makes this third place even more remarkable. He ran well today and should not be put up too much in the weights. He is sure to put in good runs over a distance next year and as he now has had this experience this will stand him in good stead when he returns for a crack at the race next year.

J.J.O'Neill

J.J.O'Neill trains at on of the best training establishments in the country. He had good owners placing their horses with him and therefore has some really good horses in his stable. To go along with this third place he had Clan Royal running in this race who was well ahead when being carried out. His stable has had problems this year and has had to suffer by not having many runners. Now his team seem to be over it and he is starting to have his horses run well. He will put this season behind him and will be back at full strength next season and will have many more winners in both class and quantity.

Brian Harding

Brian Harding id a good jockey who gave this horse a fine run today. He got the horse into the right position at the second last and gave the horse every chance. Brian runs a lot in the north and has good rides from Nicky Richards and Ferdy Murphy.

Fourth Place

It Takes Time

Trained by the most successful trainers in the country this horse put up a good performance today. He was a very fine hurdler in his early racing days and although his first runs chasing looked as if he was going to be as good, however he is now letting his class show through. He is another who ran well today and from two out had every chance but just could not keep with the first three on the run in. His connections were a little worried about the distance but his brave effort rewarded his connections faith.

Martin Pipe

The most successful national hunt trainer in the history of the race. Martin has just about broken all records and his stable always does well. His is the champion trainer and has lots of horses under his charge and has lots of runners and a good proportion of winners.

Timmy Murphy

Timmy Murphy is having a very good season. He became the number one jockey in Martin Pipes year this year as he is now retained by one of Martin Pipes biggest owner David Johnson who is one of the best owners in national hunt. Timmy has had well over 100 winners this season, which is over double last season. He is riding well and will have lots more winners in the next few seasons.