Ainama gets home in rousing battle

The J P McManus-owned Ainama provided the Madden family with a victory to savour when landing the competitive thetote.com Connacht National Handicap Chase in Roscommon last night.

Realistically, a dozen horses held prospects turning for home. But, in the final battle, it was 10/1 shot Ainama, trained by Niall ‘Boots’ Madden and strongly ridden by his son ‘Slippers’, which got home in a rousing battle from the Davy Russell-ridden Campbonnais (carrying 1lb. overweight), with the always prominent mare Our Victoria a closed third.

“That was great and you’d have to be delighted,” stated the winning trainer, who took charge of the eight-year-old from Nicky Henderson.