Peter Bowen extended his remarkable record in the Topham Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences here on Friday, as Mac Tottie, at 8-1, crossed the line in front after a dramatic race in which 11 of the 29 runners failed to finish.
Three horses departed at the ninth fence, as Foxy Jacks fell and rolled to his left, bringing down Colorado Doc and Discordantly. Morning Vicar was also a faller, while three horses unseated their riders – including Notebook, with last year’s National winning jockey, Rachael Blackmore, in the saddle – and four more were pulled up. All horses and jockeys were later reported to be unhurt.
Mac Tottie was Bowen’s fifth Topham winner, equalling Nicky Henderson’s record, and added to the same horse’s success over the National fences in the Grand Sefton Chase in November. James Bowen was aboard Mac Tottie for that victory, while another of the trainer’s three sons, Sean, took the reins on Friday.
“I’m not being biased but Dad is brilliant,” Sean Bowen said. “When he wants to get one ready, he gets one ready. James schooled him a couple of days ago and my other brother, Mickey, always rides him [at home] and the last week or so they couldn’t wait for him to run.
“James was revved to ride him and then he had to ride one [Fantastic Lady] for the boss [Nicky Henderson] and came off at the first.”
James Bowen could be seen celebrating behind the running rail as his brother went clear on the run to the line.
“I don’t know what it is about this place, but I love it,” Peter Bowen said. “If he gets the trip, he might be a National horse, maybe we’ll have a go next year.”
Earlier on the card, Ahoy Senor reversed earlier Grade One form with both L’Homme Presse and Bravemansgame to win the Grade One Mildmay Novice Chase.
Ahoy Senor took up his favoured position at the head of the field from the off and one by one his three opponents wilted, allowing Derek Fox to cross the line an easy four lengths in front of Fury Road.
“At Cheltenham [behind L’Homme Presse] he actually learned what he was supposed to be doing,” Lucinda Russell, the winner’s trainer, said, “and he just showed it today.
“When he goes left-handed he jumps slightly right, and when he went right-handed he jumped slightly left, so it’s just his way of sorting things out for himself. He’s got so much power, see the way he jumped the last fence.”
Aintree 1.45 Remastered 2.25 Good Risk At All (nb) 3.00 Edwardstone 3.35 Thyme Hill 4.15 Killer Kane 5.15 Longhouse Poet (nap) 6.20 Ernest Gray
Newcastle 12.30 Bird On The Wire 1.00 Git Maker 1.37 Sir Apollo 2.15 Lough Salt 2.50 Byzantine Empire 3.25 The King Of May 4.00 Get With It 4.40 Kings Creek
Thirsk 12.55 Paddy Brunty 1.30 Shallow Hal 2.05 True Mason 2.40 Symbolize 3.15 King Of Jungle 3.50 Juan De Montalban 4.30 Broadspear 5.00 Sfumato
Bangor 1.55 Vintage Fizz 2.33 Ecume Atlantique 3.08 Daranova 3.43 Dawn Raider 4.22 Tigerbythetail 4.52 Spirit Of Regulus
Wolverhampton 4.57 Pons Aelius 5.30 Voltaic 6.00 Lucia Joy 6.30 The Grand Visir 7.00 Pilot Wings 7.30 Odd Socks Havana 8.00 Study The Stars 8.30 The Resdev Way
Jonbon, a distant second behind the exceptional Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham, registered the first Grade One win of his career in the Top Novice Hurdle, but the even-money favourite was forced to dig deep as El Fabiolo launched a strong challenge from the final flight to the line.
“He will almost certainly go chasing next season,” Henderson, his trainer, said. “Aidan [Coleman, his jockey] said wait until he runs in the Arkle [at Cheltenham in March].”
