Voy Por prevails in Melling thriller
Friday, 3 April 2009 15:40Voy Por Ustedes retained his John Smith's Melling Chase crown at Aintree after a thrilling duel with Dessie Hughes' Schindlers Hunt.
Nacarat jumped for fun at the head of affairs and looked to have the race won two out, with Voy Por Ustedes and Schindlers Hunt under heavy pressure.
But the fast pace set by Tony McCoy took his toll as Robert Thornton galvanised Alan King's eight-year-old on the run-in.
The 11-8 favourite held on grimly to score by a head from the Dessie Hughes-trained Schindlers Hunt.
McCoy lit up Nacarat (4-1) from an early stage and he put in some fantastic leaps from the front. Schindlers Hunt (16-1) looked a real threat two out, though, until he belted the fence - virtually stopping him in his tracks.
Thornton gave it everything on Voy Por Ustedes and a better leap at the last just about sealed the race. It was heartache for the connections of Schindlers Hunt, who was also a valiant third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.
Voy Por Ustedes' victory also came as a welcome tonic for owner Sir Robert Ogden, who cruelly lost Exotic Dancer on Thursday.
Alan King said afterwards: 'I'm nearly in tears. My God he's tough and what a great ride by Choc (Thornton). He needed a big jump at the last and got it.
'I'm chuffed for the whole team, particularly for Sir Robert after what happened yesterday. It's been a tough time. When he got beat at Cheltenham it was disappointing for everyone, but this is wonderful.
'He'll never shirk it. He put his head down and really battled. I'm proud of him and he's very special. He's been a wonderful horse to me and the whole team.'
