Apalachi in National frame
Soft-ground loving Black Apalachi earned a 33-1 quote for the John Smith’s Grand National with Ladbrokes after a superb round of jumping secured him a win over the famous fences at Aintree.
Although Dessie Hughes’ nine-year-old failed to complete in the National last April, he relished his return to the track and made virtually all in the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase.
The gambled-on 15-2 chance quickly asserted himself at the head of affairs and never eyeballed another rival as he winged every obstacle to cross the line a distance clear in the testing conditions.
Last year’s winner Mr Pointment closed in during the second half of the race but he tired over the final two fences.
Having been passed by Black Apalachi’s stablemate Oulart on the run-in, he then got going again
to take the runner-up prize by half a length.
Hughes was represented by his son Richard, who said: “He cartwheeled at the second fence in the National. They were going flat to the board and he couldn’t get the landing gear out in time.
“This is a good trial for the National but he would need the ground soft as he is an out-and-out stayer.
“The rain today suited him but it would have been against Oulart. That is why we brought both over as the ground would suit one of them.”
Jim Goldie registered back-to-back wins in the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase as his Endless Power also made all for a spirited success under 19-year-old James Reveley.
The eight-year-old had the field at full stretch jumping the Canal Turn, with an advantage that stretched to nearly 20 lengths.
He only had to jump the final two fences to collect but his efforts took their toll heading for the Elbow and the 11-1 chance started to tread water.
Brooklyn Brownie made rapid headway from behind in scenes reminiscent of Red Rum’s Grand National win over Crisp in 1973, but unlike that day Endless Power held on for a deserved victory.
Goldie said: “I am just glad it wasn’t Red Rum chasing him! It was heart-in-the-mouth stuff but he jumped great and never touched a twig. We’ll look forward to April when the Topham would be a possibility.”
Peter Bowen followed up his career highlight of Snoopy Loopy’s Betfair Chase success on Northwest Masters weekend by sending out Serabad to take the toteswinger Handicap Hurdle under Paddy Brennan.
Bowen said of the 9-2 winner: “Paddy said he would get three miles so the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot next month could be a possibility.”
Last year’s Borders National winner Bellaney Jewel (8-1) put in a smooth performance to outstay her rivals in the Weatherbys National Hunt Season Betting Guide Handicap Chase.
Winning rider Dougie Costello said: “She won a moderate Borders National and has been high in the handicap since then, but she has gone out there fresh and jumped round well.”
