That’s my boy
Partnered by his son, Sam, the ten-year-old made all the running, survived a scare at the last and getting very tired on the run in, to hold Kilty Storm, who ran a blinder for his Cork owner, Sean Lucey.
Kilty Storm is trained in Waterford by Roger McGrath, who has held a licence for only three months and has just three horses in his yard.
Twiston-Davies senior, rather surprisingly, said the Foxhunter success gave him more pleasure than the Gold Cup!
“To be dreadfully honest, it would have to be the Foxhunter, I'm hugely proud of Sam,” he said.
A magnificent day for Twiston-Davies and Brennan was completed when bottom weight, Pigeon Island, arrived late to grab the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase.
It was also a good day for Nicky Henderson, who was enjoying his fifth success in the race, and Barry Geraghty his third, when the tough Soldatino grabbed the gallant front-running Barizan in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Barizan ran an amazing race, setting a furious pace, which had him clear of the field for most of the journey.
He was at least 15 lengths to the good into the straight, but had to start to tire at some stage and ran down the final flight.
He lost valuable momentum as a result and Geraghty seized his chance to drive Soldatino past on the run in and score by a length and a quarter.
Henderson said: “One thing that worried me was whether he had enough experience, but I'm thrilled for the horse. He may be a baby, but he's tough.
“It was a long way to go and catch the other horse (Barizan), because the gap was huge. He is an exciting horse.”
Geraghty said: “After the bit of rain last night the ground was very dead and they went very quick.
“The second was a mile clear three out, but it was to late to be worrying about him then, he had to come back to us. He did and I knew jumping the second last I would get him, those French horses know the ropes.''
Alaivan did best of the Irish, running a smashing race in third. He briefly threatened to close down the leader off the home turn, but could not raise his tempo, only staying on one-paced.
Edward O'Grady was pleased with Alaivan. Said O'Grady: “He ran a great race and reversed form with Carlito Brigante (fourth), which we are delighted about. I liked the way he stayd on, I thought he was going to drop back to fourth at one point.
“It was a slightly strange race and I wonder what the time was, although I agree with Luca Cumani that the only people really worried about time are behind bars!”
