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.
