Famous Clermont (9-2) ran out a fine winner of the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase on the opening day of the 2023 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse.
The Chris Barber-trained eight-year-old provided Will Biddick with his first victory in the contest, run over 2m5f of the Grand National course for amateur jockeys. The likes Nina Carberry, Jamie Codd and last year's Grand National hero Sam Waley-Cohen are all previous winners and Biddick added his name to the honours' list.
Famous Clermont had won at Wincanton and at Haydock Park in February before finishing sixth in St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase as last month's Cheltenham Festival. And he was well fancied to go much better in the equivalent contest dropping down in distance at Aintree.
READ MORE: Full list of final 40 runners for the 2023 Grand National
Biddick had Famous Clermont just off the pace throughout and made his way to the front at the business end of the contest after last year's winner Latenightpass (9-2) had cut out much of the early running. After the Elbow, Famous Clermont went for glory and strided clear to come home by four-and-three-quarters-of-a-length from Bennys King (16-1). Lough Derg Spirit (40-1) was a further half-a-length back in third and with Latenightpass staying on for a good fourth another three-quarters-of-a-length adrift in fourth.
Winning jockey 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 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."
Winning trainer Barber added: "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."
Rachael Blackmore brought the Henry De Bromhead's Dancing On My Own (15-2) through to collar long-time leader Douglas Talking (9-2) to land a length-and-a-half victory in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase.
The Irish jockey will partner De Bromhead's Ain't That A Shame as she bids to win the Grand National for a second time on Saturday and the victory was the perfect boost ahead of the world's greatest steeplechase.
Dysart Enos (13-2) cruised to a wide-margin victory in the finale, the Grade Two Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
