Rigadin lands Betfred Grand National Trial Rigadin De Beauchene went one better than 12 months ago when leading a Venetia Williams-trained one-two in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock. Last year's runner-up, having his first race since being pulled up in the Scottish National last April, ground out an admirable 10-length success in this long-distance chase. The 16-1 chance had the measure of the pacesetting Red Rocco when that rival unseated his rider at the final fence, leaving him to come home unchallenged in the hands of 3lb claimer Robert Dunne from his stablemate Emperor's Choice. Loch Ba was another 30 lengths back in third, with very few finishing this tough stamina test. The 9-2 favourite Merry King was pulled up down the back after being hampered on the first circuit by the fall of Wellforth, as last year's winner Well Refreshed failed to complete this time, while Across The Bay exited at the fifth-last. Dunne said: "I was delighted with that on his first run of the season. In fairness to Venetia, that was some training performance. "I kept the ride because of the owners, I can't thank them enough. The ground was absolutely ideal for him. He jumped super." Williams said: "This race was one we'd always aimed at with him. He had a problem in November time when he was coughing a bit and we had hoped to get him to Warwick for the race he won last year (Classic Chase), but we decided to leave off as we were rushing him. "We've nothing else in mind for him really. Uttoxeter (Midlands National) doesn't really suit him. "The race for him would be the Scottish National if it came up soft."
