Grand National: Scottish hope thwarted by lively ground

Published on Saturday 9 April 2011 19:08

When just about the whole of Liverpool turns out in finery, you know the weather is splendid, and sadly that proved to be the undoing of Scotland's great hope Silver By Nature.

His 12th place in the John Smith's Grand National proved that he could last the distance and jump the big fences, but the ground had firmed up considerably – it almost felt solid in places to those of us who walked the course beforehand – and that proved to be this mudlark's undoing.

Trainer Lucinda Russell confirmed the horse returned safe and sound under jockey Peter Buchanan, who let him finish in his own time.

Russell said: "He jumped fantastically and proved that he stayed the trip, but the ground just proved too lively for him. It shows just how important it is for him to have soft ground. We would like to have another go next year, but it will depend on him getting the conditions he needs."

Buchanan commented: "He jumped fantastically well but I couldn't get in a blow."

The first three races saw Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty notch a treble with Spirit Son cantering home in the John Smith's Mersey Novices Hurdle and odds-on favourite Finian's Rainbow outlasting Ghizao, the mount of Ruby Walsh, in the John Smith's Maghull Novices Chase, before Oscar Whisky just outstayed a class field in the 160,000 Grade 1 John Smith's Aintree Hurdle.

Howard Johnson-trained Prince De Beauchene then gave Scots-born owner Graham Wylie a welcome win in the John Smith's Handicap Chase.

In the final two races, Ireland's toll was boosted after a disappointing meeting with only one winner on Thursday and Friday to boast of. Paul Nolan's Far Away So Close won the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle at 14-1 before Paul Carberry brought National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott's exciting five-year-old Steps To Freedom to the fore inside the final furlong for a cosy win from the fancied Montbazon.

Now the National Hunt scene moves to Scotland's big day when Ayr hosts the Coral Scottish Grand National next Saturday. Perhaps fortuitously, last year's winner of Scotland's most valuable jumps race, the Andrew Parker-trained Merigo, failed to make the cut for the Aintree Grand National and will defend his crown next Saturday. Though he will carry more weight this time, Merigo could once again bear owner Raymond Anderson Green's distinctive green and yellow striped colours to victory.