Ossmoses Gives Forster Red-Letter Day

Ossmoses ploughed through the Haydock Park mud to land the £125,000 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup and provide Darlington-based permit holder Don Forster with by far and away his biggest success.

The extended three-and-a-half-mile test was, as expected, a keenly-contested affair with runners from the top stables of Paul Nicholls, Martin Pipe and Philip Hobbs, as well as representatives from Ireland and France.

But it was Forster's bold-jumping grey who took their measure with a fine staying performance.

Model Son set out to make the running tracked by the eventual winner, with Double Honour and What A Native, the 4-1 favourite, on their heels.

The front two began to apply pressure going down the far side for the final time where Sir Rembrandt moved into contention.

But once in line for home there were only two horses in it as Model Son and Ossmoses powered clear.

The former made a slight mistake two out where Richie McGrath booted the bottom weight into the lead and the 14-1 chance stayed on resolutely to draw away for an impressive 15-length verdict over Model Son (25-1), with another eight back to Sir Rembrandt (12-1) in third.

What A Native was pulled up before two out and the well-fancied Joaaci came to grief at the last. It did not look good for Pipe's runner as the screens were brought round, but after some 10 minutes he rose to his feet, much to the delight of the large crowd.

Forster, who trains 'just half a dozen' horses, was understandably thrilled, even though slightly surprised, with the outcome.

He said: 'I'm over the moon.

'I didn't come here really hopeful because I didn't think I'd beat the professionals, but I thought he'd run well because he was in such good form at home.

'He was in such good form at home we thought we'd have a crack at this and the weights went up just enough for us. He's won round here before and he loves that testing ground and we knew he'd jump those fences.

'We were second in the Great Yorkshire Chase a few years ago with Kit Smartie, but this is by far my biggest win.

'He's still a bit inexperienced and maybe we might think about the Grand National next year.

'He's not the fastest but he's one of the toughest and we may have a crack at the Midlands National next.'

McGrath added: 'I didn't want to lead until after the last, but Model Son made a mistake at the second-last and my fellow set sail for home.

'He jumped well all the way and kept on galloping. He loved this ground, he's a proper National Hunt-bred horse. The trainer owns him and has had him since he was a yearling.

'I go down once a week to school for him. He's a brilliant man to deal with and I'm delighted. He deserved it.

'This horse is 100% genuine, he gave his best and has come out on top.'

The runner-up ran a fine race on his first start for Patrick Haslam and is now on course for the Cheltenham Festival, with connections considering a tilt at either the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase or the Kim Muir.

His jockey Patrick Merrigan said: 'I'm delighted and also disappointed.

'He's some serious jumper. He's looked after me all the way round.

'I knew myself and the winner had them on the stretch down the back. He just got in a bit deep at the second-last, you can't miss a beat on that ground, but he's run a great race in defeat.

'I would imagine he's Cheltenham-bound now for one of the handicaps.'

Thinking beyond the Festival, owner Peter Hughes added: 'The Scottish Grand National could be perfect for him or even the Irish National.'

Sir Rembrandt, placed in the last two Cheltenham Gold Cups, once again has the blue riband on his agenda.

His trainer Robert Alner said: 'That was good and we are still aiming for the Gold Cup after that.

'I was delighted with that because the other two had 10st and 10st 7lb and they went a hell of a gallop.

'I was really pleased with his jumping and he doesn't look distressed so it all points to the Gold Cup.

'Andrew (Thornton) will be back on board at Cheltenham but if he isn't available I would certainly put Warren Marston up as he gave him a lovely ride today.'

Sir Rembrandt remains a 33-1 shot with William Hill for the totesport-sponsored blue riband.

? PA Sport