Mon Mome ‘deserves more credit for National’

VENETIA Williams believes Mon Mome has never been given the credit he deserved for winning the John Smith’s Grand National simply because he was a 100-1 chance.

After confirming the retirement of the 2009 Aintree hero, the Herefordshire trainer paid tribute to the now 13-year-old, who gave her the most precious moment of her career to date. That came when he took the world’s more famous steeplechase by 12 lengths in the hands of Liam Treadwell from the previous year’s winner, Comply Or Die.

He showed success was no fluke when he was third in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Imperial Commander and Denman, but fell at the 26th fence in that year’s Grand National.

“He was one of the most impressive National winners in the last 20 years, I would have thought,” said Williams. The trouble is he was such a big price. In press terms, his performance is usually focused on that he was 100-1. He will remain here in his retirement.”

Winner of six of his 53 starts, Mon Mome amassed £753,000 in prize money. He was pulled up on his final outing at Warwick last month.