No living with Baie in National Trial

Second in the race last year, Baie Des Iles galloped her rivals into the ground to land the Grade B racinguk.com/Freetrial Grand National Trial Handicap Chase for the husband and wife team of Ross O'Sullivan and Katie Walsh.

This was a front-running tour de force from the grey, and the other mare in the line-up, last year's heroine, Bonny Kate , was the only one that really threatened to land a blow.

However Baie Des Iles was relentless and though Sambremont (ridden by Walsh's brother, Ruby) stayed on for second, he was still four and three parts of a length down at the line.

There was half a length to the aforementioned Bonny Kate in third.

A good team! Husband Ross O'Sullivan does the training and @katiewalsh9 does the riding as Baie Des Iles wins the Grand National Trial: pic.twitter.com/g3Jdb9B3gs

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 5, 2017

"She's a lovely mare and she's only six. Hopefully she stays sound and she should win a couple more pots for them. They're great owners — Charles and Zorka (Wentworth) — it's a great day for them," said Walsh.

Meanwhile O'Sullivan (biggest winner to date) said: "That's her, three and a half miles and soft ground. We were delighted with her run in the Welsh National but Katie said the ground wasn't soft enough. The rain came here on Thursday and she just loves it.

"The Eider Chase at Newcastle could be her next race. She was second in this race last year, and the owners Charles and Zorka (Wentworth) were over and keen to go for it.

"Katie gave her a brilliant ride, and she was keen enough to ride her that way. She was ridden in behind horses in Wales and Katie felt she didn't like it. If something wanted to go on today she would let them but if nothing wanted to lead she would let her bowl along. She seemed to love it in front.

"She ran in the Irish National last year and ran a good race to be sixth. It's the 17th of April this year and we are probably going to run out of ground for us at that stage. If there was plenty of rain she could run and she will get an entry.

"She is not eligible to run in Aintree as she is only a six-year-old. The dream ticket would be Aintree and hopefully if she is in one piece then we will be there next year."

M.A. Enright, rider of My Hometown trained by E. Bolger, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left and pulled up.

(AM & EM)