Big Fella does the business at Newbury
Saturday 6 March 2010
Harry Findlay was left ruing his luck after Big Fella Thanks sprang to the head of the John Smith's Grand National market following his victory in the Raymond Mould Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.
The larger-than-life owner had been tempted to invest at 20-1 when the National weights came out last month but missed the price.
Paul Nicholls' eight-year-old is now disputing favouritism for the race with stablemate Tricky Trickster.
Big Fella Thanks teamed up with Barry Geraghty and the 8-1 chance got the better of the Ruby Walsh-ridden stablemate Pasco by one and a half lengths to provide Nicholls with his fourth win in the race in the last five years.
Findlay named the horse after his record-breaking greyhound who won the National Coursing Derby at Clonmel in 1999.
He said: 'We had to have the dog put down two weeks ago at the age of 13 and he was pure class.
'I was emotional with what happened to the dog but that was brilliant to watch.
'He was 20-1 when the Grand National weights come out and I am kicking myself for not backing him.'
Nicholls added: 'Credit has to go to Ruby who advised dropping him back to two and a half miles to wake him up as he was sleepy last time at Kempton.
'I thought this race was perfect for Pasco and asked Barry to ride with a view towards him riding in the National if Ruby picks Tricky.'
Walsh and Nicholls combined in the concluding David Richards + Friends Supporting Greatwood Bumper as Rock On Ruby (4-1) defied a penalty with relative ease.
Further Grand National clues were on offer in the Blue Square Supporting Greatwood Veterans' Handicap Chase, with Oliver Sherwood's Eric's Charm (9-1) belying his advancing years under a power-packed Tony McCoy ride.
Sherwood said: 'This is very emotional for me as I buried my mother yesterday and this was her favourite horse.
'He'll head straight to Aintree now and we may then look at the bet365 Gold Cup at the end of the season.'
McCoy fired in the final leg of a 25-1 double as he produced Wheels Up to oblige as the 15-8 favourite in the Crazy Larry's Supporting Greatwood Novices' Handicap Chase.
Geraghty was another to enjoy a brace at odds of 35-1 as he scored a cheeky success in the Ultima Checkpoint Supporting Greatwood Novices' Hurdle with Be There In Five (3-1), who outfoxed even-money favourite Aiteen Thirtythree.
Trainer Nicky Henderson commented: 'I am inclined to put him away for the year now as he will make a lovely chaser.
'Hurdles get in his way a bit and I think he will jump fences much better.'
Liam Heard had a losing run stretching back almost four months but got back on the winning trail as Tail of The Bank provided Laura Young with a first winner at the track in the stanjames.com Supports Greatwood Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
Heard coaxed the giant 14-1 chance across the line with half a length to spare before dashing to Kempton, where he doubled his tally for the day aboard Line Artic.
Young said of the winner: 'He will go novice chasing next year and we will sit back and think about whether he runs again this season.'
Arctic Wings (13-2) flew along the rail to emerge on top in a tight finish to the Ladbrokes Supporting Greatwood Handicap Hurdle.
Trainer Tony Carroll commented: 'I am delighted for his jockey, Lee Edwards, who needs just one more winner before his claim is reduced.'
Giles Hawkins, the rider of runner-up Nearby, was suspended seven days (20-26 March) for using his whip with excessive frequency.
