Famous victory for Will Biddick and Chris Barber
Famous Clermont provided top amateur Will Biddick with his first victory in the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase at Aintree.
The two-mile-five-furlong contest is the only race run over Grand National fences confined to amateur riders and has previously been won by the likes Nina Carberry, Jamie Codd and last year’s Grand National hero Sam Waley-Cohen.
Having impressed in winning hunter chases at Wincanton and Haydock in February before finishing sixth at the Cheltenham Festival last month, the Chris Barber-trained Famous Clermont was among the market principals at 9-2 and was among several still in with a chance leaving the back straight.
Biddick appeared keen to deliver his challenge late, but had no option but to allow his mount to stride to the front before the elbow and he only had to be nudged out from there home to win comfortably by just under five lengths.
Bennys King filled the runner-up spot, with Lough Derg Spirit third and last year’s winner Latenightpass a creditable fourth after giving a bold sight in front for a long way.
Biddick said: “I’ve been around for 20 seasons now and I think my first ride round here was Le Duc in 2009 (finished fifth).
“I’ve had a few seconds and I’ve been knocking on the door. It’s a big thing for the amateurs to win this race – here and Cheltenham are our Gold Cups. To do it is massive.
“This horse has come up through the point-to-point ranks and has really got his act together in his last two or three runs. We had a go at Cheltenham to see if he would stay and it proved he doesn’t really get the extended three miles.
“Today he landed in front after the last and pricked his ears and I thought I’d got him beat, but he is a class act.”
😍 One of the coolest rides you'll ever see over the Grand National fences!!
Will Biddick laughs at his rivals aboard Famous Clermont to come home a ready winner of the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase @AintreeRaces pic.twitter.com/IUpwq0DMYg
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 13, 2023
Barber said: “It still hasn’t sunk in. Will gave him a peach of a ride.
“This has been the target since the start of the season and I have to thank Jamie who rides him at home and Rupert Nuttall, who has worked so hard on his jumping.
“I didn’t watch much of the race until they turned in. When they crossed the Melling Road I thought we might be starting to push but he came back into the bridle and kept on galloping.
“The owners have been offered a lot of money for him multiple times, but the plan will be to come back here in 12 months and try to do the double. All the signs before today were good at home.
“My grandfather (Richard Barber) won this race and was such a successful trainer. In everything I do I try to make my grandfather proud.”
There was, however, a sad postscript, with Aintree confirming the Keiran Burke-trained Envoye Special was unable to be saved following a fall while running loose after unseating at the ninth fence.
A spokesperson said: “Envoye Special was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary professionals during the Foxhunters’ Steeple Chase.
“After assessment, sadly they concluded the necessary course of action for the horse’s welfare was to put him to sleep. Our sincere sympathies are with his connections.”
Dysart Enos ran out a wide-margin winner of the Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race under a jubilant Paddy Brennan.
The five-year-old had looked a smart prospect in winning her first two bumper starts for Fergal O’Brien, particularly when beating the highly-rated Queens Gamble in a Market Rasen Listed event on her most recent outing.
She faced another hike in class for this Grade Two test, but proved more than up to the task as she powered nine lengths clear of runner-up Golden Ace, allowing Brennan to punch the air passing the post – celebrating his birthday in style.
🚀 Wow! Dysart Enos what a performance
She completes the hat-trick & remains unbeaten in the process with a devastating victory in the @GoffsUK Nickel Coin Mares' Bumper for @OBMRacing & @PaddyBrennan81 @AintreeRaces pic.twitter.com/QslEHTf8NP
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 13, 2023
O’Brien said: “We were hopeful coming here as she was very impressive at Market Rasen but we maybe thought we were a bit flattered on the day there, maybe it didn’t suit Oliver’s horse (Sherwood, Queens Gamble) but she was phenomenal, that was beyond even what we could hope.
“I told the boys maybe we could sneak into the first three but what a run, she cruised all the way.
“I bought her at the Goffs Sale here last year and it’s Paddy’s birthday today so a big shout to him as well.
“She’s not the most straightforward so it’s a big team effort with her, Tom Broughton, who rode in the Foxhunters’ for us, rides her every day.
“Next year the programme should sort itself out, and she’s won a point-to-point so she jumps well.”
Rachael Blackmore steered last year’s runner-up Dancing On My Own (15-2) to go one better in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase.
Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old had been well beaten in two previous outings this season, both at Fairyhouse, but a return to Aintree conjured a return to form as he finished strongly to deny the bold-jumping Douglas Talking by a length and a half.
De Bromhead said: “We took him to Cheltenham for the Festival but the ground had gone for him, so we took him home without running.
“He ran really well in this race last year. In fairness the Mulryans who own him have been very patient. Cheltenham was frustrating, but he must have better ground as it makes such a difference to him.
“He loves a battle, he’s tough as teak and we’ve always felt he’s better left-handed so I’d probably say no to Punchestown. We’ll enjoy today and make a plan. We have a decent record in this race.”
