Super Katarino Does It Again

Katarino put his experience to good use when completing back-to-back victories over the famous Grand National fences at Aintree as he claimed the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase for the second year running.

The 11-2 shot was fairly easy to back beforehand as punters grew uneasy over the well-being of the gelding, who had not run since his victory of 12 months earlier.

But jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, denied a possible ride in the National itself on account of his failing to meet the minimum requirements to take part, was always looking happy in the race as his mount ? who is trained by his father Robert ? gave him an armchair ride to victory.

Katarino went to the front under after the fifth-last fence where Abbeytown and Drombeag came down, hampering favourite Bothar Na who eventually finished fourth.

The 11-year-old ran on strongly and came home seven lengths clear of Christy Beamish (8-1), with 100-1 shot Beachcomber Bay 15 lengths further away in third.

No less than 22 of the 30 runners completed the course, with none of the eight casualties suffering injury.

But the news was less good for Jockey Club director John Maxse, riding in the race for the first time aboard his own horse, Gielgud.

The jockey was taken to nearby Fazarkley Hospital for precautionary tests to his head and neck after being briefly knocked out in a fall at the eighth fence.

Putting aside his frustrations at being prevented from riding in the National, Waley-Cohen junior was left beaming by the victory and quickly promised to try for a hat-trick in 12 months' time.

'This horse is literally brilliant,' he said. 'We've had a few niggles in the run-up to the race and we couldn't have put more time and effort in with his horse.

'This horse has had all our hopes and dreams on him and he's absolutely class.

'Those fences are big but he's so balanced through the air ? you never feel like you're worried on him.

'I don't think you'll see a horse go round this course as well as this horse can.

'He was absolutely fantastic round there.'

Waley-Cohen reported the course to be in great shape 48 hours ahead of the big race.

'The rain has got in a little bit and I'd say it was good to soft but there is still plenty of bounce and there is a really good covering of grass,' he said.

'The fences are as tough as ever ? there's plenty of hangtime to give you something to think about while you're in the air but my horse loves them.'

The winning trainer said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled ? what could be more wonderful?

'There was huge anxiety he wouldn't quite get home without a run beforehand but it worked.

'That wasn't the plan as we were going to run him about five or six weeks ago but he got a minor problem.

'It was four weeks before we got him in good order again and by then it was too late to run.'

Tough customer Jacks Craic was given a fine ride by Antony Evans to take the John Smith's Red Rum Handicap Chase.

John Spearing's gelding was last but one entering the back straight but slowly worked his way up the field once early pacemaker Hand In Hand fell by the wayside.

Evans still had work to do two out as runner-up Nyrche (7-1) ploughed a lone furrow at the head of affairs.

But the seven-year-old, a 10-1 chance, soon cut through the chasing pack with consummate ease before registering a most taking two-and-a-half-length success in the Grade Three event.

Paul Nicholls' Andreas, sent off the 7-2 favourite, also came from behind to take third place, while Ground Ball (11-1) stayed on for fourth.

'He's just kept on improving ? there's no secret with him, he's just fit and well,' said Spearing.

'He's absolutely brilliant with his jumping and never makes a mistake but if you'd seen him when he first started schooling over fences you wouldn't believe how good he is now.

'But I sent him to Robert Chugg for three weeks and he hasn't looked back since.

'I think there is another race for him at Cheltenham in a couple of weeks' time but we'll have to see how he comes out of this.'

(C) PA Sport